FIA WEC: Changes to the LMP1 EOT for Silverstone

The FIA have announced changes to the EOT (Equivalence of technology) across the LMP1 field prior to the 6 Hours of Silverstone in an aim to bring the private LMP1 teams closer to the performance of the hybrid Toyotas.

"As a result of the studies carried out this winter we gave private teams a fuel flow to help them achieve performance levels close to those of the hybrid cars. We then took advantage of concrete information collected during the Prologue, the first round at Spa and the Le Mans test day. As competitors know, not everything can be foreseen at Le Mans,” explains Thierry Bouvet, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s Technical Delegate. 

“For example, between the test day and qualifying at Le Mans the fastest time in the LMP2 category improved by 2.4 seconds compared to 0.2 seconds for the non-hybrid LMP1s. Several factors can explain this such as different track conditions or because the teams didn’t want to compromise reliability. Finally, multiple contextual parameters could also have affected certain EoT estimations. 

“This is why we’re taking the following decisions: the performance gap of 0.25% is being reduced to 0% (the 0.5-seconds difference per lap at Le Mans between hybrids and non hybrids is no longer relevant). The fuel flow for privateer LMP1s goes up from 108 kg/h to 115 kg/h compared to 80 kg/h for the hybrids. Furthermore, the fuel flow of the refuelling system used by private teams has been increased. And last but not least, cars powered by normally-aspirated engine will benefit from a 15kg weight reduction.” 

So we will see if these changes will bring the LMP1 class closer together and hopefully produce some close racing in the top flight class.