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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: WEC Debrief, Bahrain
John Dagys breaks down some of the key storylines from last weekend’s FIA WEC Six Hours of Bahrain...
The FIA WEC made its first trip to the Middle East last weekend for the Six Hours of Bahrain. (Photo: John Dagys)
NEVEU TALKS 2013 SCHEDULE — While there were rumors of expansion, possibly to even a 10-round schedule, the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar, released last weekend, essentially confirmed more of the same for next year, but with some notable changes.
Eight rounds are again on the schedule, with the Twelve Hours of Sebring being replaced by a new double-header weekend with the American Le Mans Series at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas next September.
Other key changes include the Six Hours of Silverstone now kicking off the season, along with Bahrain being moved to the season finale in late November.
"When we said in the beginning that we have to save money and have to first consider the economical conditions, it was very difficult to add another round during the season,” FIA WEC CEO Gerard Neveu admitted. “It would be very expensive to do one additional six-hour race. So we took the choice to stabilize the calendar and have eight races during the season.”
It’s widely known the series has been in talks with both Moscow Raceway and the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi. While neither round has materialized for next year, both likely remain viable options for the future.
"We have many, many other contacts. I would say three or four very serious contacts for the Asian side and two in Europe,” Neveu said. “It was definitely not the right time to do it and we had to first take into consideration the team's conditions and it was better to stabilize it. "
With the season beginning in Europe and the cars being transported by boat following the third round at Le Mans to the Americas for the Sao Paulo and Austin events, Neveu is bullish on the potential cost savings for teams. He, however, declined to reveal an estimated percentage savings until consulting with teams.
“All of the money we will save, and it could be a good amount, it will be directly [benefit] the teams,” Neveu said. “This will not be additional profit for the promoter. We don't change anything. At this moment, the ACO isn't earning any money. This is only the beginning of the story.
“The only thing we did was to change the costs because all the money we save, we'll redistribute to the teams. In this case, it will help them to have reduced costs for the freight.
“If we can advance like this year after year, we will try to reduce at the minimum the costs of the organization.”
NOTES FROM THE PADDOCK
** The latest FIA World Motor Sport Council bulletin revealed changes to the LMP2 regulations for 2013, including the option to performance balance cars in reference to engine power, weight and fuel capacity. New chassis developed for the cost-capped category may also be designed under 2014 LMP1 regulations, while diesels will be officially allowed in the class.
** The FIA’s driver classification system, primarily enforced in LMP2 and GTE-Am, could be set for an overhaul for next year. The current Platinum - Gold - Silver - Bronze rankings, according to each driver’s level of racing success, may be replaced by just two categories: Pro and Am, along with a more stringent classification of young, up-and-coming drivers.
** In order to avoid a clash with the F1 Belgian Grand Prix, the date for the 2013 Six Hours of Sao Paulo has been moved back one week to August 31, which was the original date agreed by the race promoter.
** A number of teams are continuing to push for the inclusion of drivers’ titles for the LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am categories. Currently, the series only awards a single Drivers’ World Championship, ranked according to the overall finishing positions in each race.
** Word in the paddock is that Marc VDS Racing is considering an LMP2 program for 2013, potentially with a new chassis and powerplant not yet seen in the series. The Belgian squad currently campaigns two BMW Z4 GT3 cars in the Blancpain Endurance Series and had previously run the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011 in association with Kronos Racing.
** A pre-season endurance test in Europe will likely be organized for teams prior to next year’s season-opener at Silverstone in mid-April. The WEC also expects to hold an official launch for the 2013 championship.
** Following last weekend’s schedule unveil, further details regarding the 2013 FIA WEC regulations are expected to be released at Mt. Fuji. Neveu even hinted at a possible manufacturer announcement coming in Japan. Could it be a new brand to GTE for next year?
PHOTOS: FIA WEC Six Hours of Bahrain
Eight rounds are again on the schedule, with the Twelve Hours of Sebring being replaced by a new double-header weekend with the American Le Mans Series at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas next September.
Other key changes include the Six Hours of Silverstone now kicking off the season, along with Bahrain being moved to the season finale in late November.
"When we said in the beginning that we have to save money and have to first consider the economical conditions, it was very difficult to add another round during the season,” FIA WEC CEO Gerard Neveu admitted. “It would be very expensive to do one additional six-hour race. So we took the choice to stabilize the calendar and have eight races during the season.”
It’s widely known the series has been in talks with both Moscow Raceway and the Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi. While neither round has materialized for next year, both likely remain viable options for the future.
"We have many, many other contacts. I would say three or four very serious contacts for the Asian side and two in Europe,” Neveu said. “It was definitely not the right time to do it and we had to first take into consideration the team's conditions and it was better to stabilize it. "
With the season beginning in Europe and the cars being transported by boat following the third round at Le Mans to the Americas for the Sao Paulo and Austin events, Neveu is bullish on the potential cost savings for teams. He, however, declined to reveal an estimated percentage savings until consulting with teams.
“All of the money we will save, and it could be a good amount, it will be directly [benefit] the teams,” Neveu said. “This will not be additional profit for the promoter. We don't change anything. At this moment, the ACO isn't earning any money. This is only the beginning of the story.
“The only thing we did was to change the costs because all the money we save, we'll redistribute to the teams. In this case, it will help them to have reduced costs for the freight.
“If we can advance like this year after year, we will try to reduce at the minimum the costs of the organization.”
NOTES FROM THE PADDOCK
** The latest FIA World Motor Sport Council bulletin revealed changes to the LMP2 regulations for 2013, including the option to performance balance cars in reference to engine power, weight and fuel capacity. New chassis developed for the cost-capped category may also be designed under 2014 LMP1 regulations, while diesels will be officially allowed in the class.
** The FIA’s driver classification system, primarily enforced in LMP2 and GTE-Am, could be set for an overhaul for next year. The current Platinum - Gold - Silver - Bronze rankings, according to each driver’s level of racing success, may be replaced by just two categories: Pro and Am, along with a more stringent classification of young, up-and-coming drivers.
** In order to avoid a clash with the F1 Belgian Grand Prix, the date for the 2013 Six Hours of Sao Paulo has been moved back one week to August 31, which was the original date agreed by the race promoter.
** A number of teams are continuing to push for the inclusion of drivers’ titles for the LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am categories. Currently, the series only awards a single Drivers’ World Championship, ranked according to the overall finishing positions in each race.
** Word in the paddock is that Marc VDS Racing is considering an LMP2 program for 2013, potentially with a new chassis and powerplant not yet seen in the series. The Belgian squad currently campaigns two BMW Z4 GT3 cars in the Blancpain Endurance Series and had previously run the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011 in association with Kronos Racing.
** A pre-season endurance test in Europe will likely be organized for teams prior to next year’s season-opener at Silverstone in mid-April. The WEC also expects to hold an official launch for the 2013 championship.
** Following last weekend’s schedule unveil, further details regarding the 2013 FIA WEC regulations are expected to be released at Mt. Fuji. Neveu even hinted at a possible manufacturer announcement coming in Japan. Could it be a new brand to GTE for next year?
PHOTOS: FIA WEC Six Hours of Bahrain
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