WEC: DRS plan for LMP1 privateers from 2018

Privateer LMP1 teams are set to be allowed to use a drag reduction system from 2018 as part of plans to close the gap to the factory hybrid cars.

Le Mans 24 Hours organizer the ACO announced its plans to make the World Endurance Championship's LMP1 class more attractive to privateer entrants at its annual press conference on Thursday ahead of the 2016 edition of the race.

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The introduction of a DRS rear wing for 2018 – which has been agreed upon in principle but remains "under discussion" at this stage while the technicalities of its use are defined – will be the second step in a set of changes that will begin next year.

In 2017, privateer LMP1 cars will run a bigger rear wing, and the width of the bodywork at the front of the car will be increased by 10mm.

The weight limit for the privateer cars will be reduced from 858kg (about 1,892 pounds) to 830kg (1,830 pounds), while the engine capacity limit will be scrapped and there will be no restriction on the number of engines an independent team can use in a season.

A single fuel-flow meter will be used (a reduction from two, to save costs) and the torque meter will be removed, with ACO sporting director Vincent Beaumesnil saying the technology "is too much for privateer teams."

Changes will also be made to the aerodynamics of the factory hybrid machines for 2017 primarily for safety reasons, although this will also help reduce the gap to the privateer cars.

The height of the front splitter will be increased by 15mm and the rear diffuser will be reduced in size by 50mm.

"These changes will help with the rules for privateer cars, which are important to LMP1," added Beaumesnil. "The gap between the hybrid cars and the privateers was 2.5 seconds per lap [at Le Mans] in 2011, but now it has increased to 7.5s in 2016.

"The ACO and the manufacturers have signed an agreement to bridge this gap; we want to reduce the performance of the hybrid cars and increase the privateer performance."

Only three privateer LMP1 cars are entered at Le Mans this year: two from Rebellion and one ByKolles CLM entry.

Originally on Autosport.com