WEC tries to peg back Toyota

WEC

The theoretical performance gap between the factory Toyota LMP1 hybrids and their non-hybrid privateer opposition in the World Endurance Championship has been removed. A new Equivalence of Technology table for the Silverstone round next month has given the independents a significant power hike in an effort to achieve that.

The privateer Rebellion, BR Engineering, Ginetta and ENSO CLM machinery will be able to run an instantaneous fuel flow of 115kg per hour, up from the 108 enforced at the Le Mans 24 Hours. None of the P1 engine suppliers – Gibson, AER, Mecachrome or Nissan – have put a figure on the increase, but it is designed to remove the 0.25-second advantage in the favour of the Toyota

TS050 HYBRIDS in the original EOT table.

It appears that Toyota has had to agree to the move, though it has yet to comment on the EOT changes. It had been able to block the attempts of the rulemakers – WEC promotor the Automobile Club de l’ouest and the FIA – to carry through their promise of lap time parity for the 2018-19 season.

A statement from the WEC hinted at Toyota’s agreement. “These alterations have been decided in light of the large amount of information collected at the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours,” it read, “and are the fruit of a lot of work and careful consideration between the ACO, the FIA and the competitors”.

Normally aspirated privateer cars – the Rebellion R-13s and the BRE BR1 powered by the Gibson V8 – have also been given a 15kg weight break for Silverstone.