WEC: a problem for the wealthy

Sports car racing enthusiasts must surely rub their eyes, give themselves a little tap on the head to make sure it’s not a dream: nine manufacturers (ten if Vanwall is included in 2024) will compete for the overall standings in the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

• Toyota
• Ferrari
• Peugeot
• Porsche
• Cadillac
• BMW
• Lamborghini
• Alpine
• Isotta Fraschini

Not to mention the arrival of Aston Martin in 2025 with the Valkyrie! It’s absolutely unprecedented. Even though we may regret that Glickenhaus, this team so beloved by the public, is ending its LMH adventure.

Nevertheless, this dream lineup was unexpected after the dramatic crisis faced by the LMP1 category. Nissan (even though they only competed in the 24 Hours in 2015), Audi, and Porsche all withdrew, leaving Toyota alone against the smaller private teams. This situation led to the implementation of the BoP, which the Japanese accepted while waiting for the return of factory competition.

Who would have thought that the new premier category would be so attractive? The ACO and the FIA have done a remarkable job of restoring the prestige of endurance racing, and it’s paying off. But with the various rumors surrounding new teams for the years to come, the WEC finds itself somewhat a victim of its own success. With a definite desire to please everyone.

Because with the current array of brands and the 2024 additions, Aston Martin will join in with the much-anticipated Valkyrie and its V12 engine, potentially Honda with the Acura from IMSA, and why not McLaren. However, the rumors surrounding Hyundai have died down.

We can easily imagine that the number of spots would be limited, and not everyone would be able to have their share of the cake. This will obviously require good faith from all parties involved (builders and organizers).

But! Let’s suppose that the ACO and the FIA choose to open the doors to the arrival of manufacturers in Hypercar, how would they go about it? In itself, it would be simple, but the GT3 equation also comes into play… and the hydrogen equation too, by 2026! So, we have imagined which solutions could be put on the table.

*The hypotheses mentioned below are only reflections with the current contextual elements. They are not based on any rumors or official statements.

Separating GT3 and Hypercar in the championship

This solution already exists in IMSA and the connections established with the WEC could potentially inspire this idea if the field were to become more crowded.

Let’s assume that thirteen manufacturers will be present in the Hypercar category (those mentioned above, including Vanwall and Aston Martin, and including the possibility of Honda and McLaren) in 2025: the grid could rise to almost 30 cars, if not more depending on the commitment of a second factory car or private entries. We would quickly reach the current total of 36 entries for the races excluding Le Mans.

Or, we didn’t bring the GT3 to WEC if in the end we don’t want it anymore due to lack of space! Just like it’s simply not possible to have 62 cars racing throughout the season like at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

From a sporting perspective, the idea of separating Hypercar and GT3 in certain races would not necessarily be foolish: the WEC has already increased its number of races, going from seven to eight events next year. So, if the idea gained traction, additional rounds could be added for that purpose.

In IMSA, for example, the North East Grand Prix and the Michelin GT Challenge are entirely dedicated to GTD Pro and GTD. This adds even more races to an already busy calendar without the GTP class. Applying such a separation in WEC would either mean selecting new circuits… or offering a full weekend of races.

The GT3s would perform, for example, on Friday or Saturday, and the Hypercars on Saturday or Sunday. Because the GT3s also have tremendous success worldwide, thanks to the sporty and economical model that the category offers. Thirteen GT3 manufacturers, if we consider this data, would result in a contingent of 26 cars.

Separating the two classes could allow Hypercar constructors, if they wish and if their budget allows it, to enter two official cars and open more doors to private teams and “artisans” such as Glickenhaus. It could also give the green light for other manufacturers and teams wishing to join GT3.

If we take the most extreme case, taking into account significant factory commitments and a large number of private individuals, we can only assume that there would be 38 Hypercars (thirteen brands, plus unofficial structures). However, this scenario should still be taken with a grain of salt, as it has a slim chance of occurring, maybe one in several hundreds.

Even more cars at the 24 Hours: (for now) an impossible mission

The classic Le Mans race has the remarkable characteristic that traffic management is one of the undeniable skills that endurance drivers must have. So, obviously, Hypercars and GT3 cars must race together.

All the more reason that the GT category came to the rescue of the Group C, which was dying from the pair Jean-Marie Balestre/Bernie Ecclestone, starting from 1994. Its charm has never left Le Mans since then.

By considering the case mentioned just above, the possible addition of about twenty Hypercars would mix with a twenty GT3 cars. This would then mark the end of LMP2 at Le Mans, which would be exclusively focused on the ELMS, while the WEC grid would be filled differently.

But what we are not yet taking into account is that the Hypercar grid in the WEC that we have envisioned could also be filled with guest cars. We are thinking of the Porsche Penske No. 75 and the Cadillac No. 311 this year, both of which are competing in IMSA. If ever 40 Hypercars were to be joined by others… the ACO and the FIA would be forced to disappoint some teams. Or they could choose not to issue any invitations anymore.

Supposing that everyone could come, let’s imagine, be crazy, 50 Hypercars and 26 GT3. It is simply impossible with the current facilities. Because even adding three boxes would require a lot of work on the 24 Hours circuit. And elsewhere.

This would mean that the Hypercar and GT3 grids would be exactly the same at the 24 Hours as they are for the rest of the season, in the event of a separation outside of Le Mans. Just like it is now, but without the invited LMP2 and GT structures.

And as there is also a need to give a place to amateur drivers who wish to race, the GT3 field should be limited in the WEC, but a bit more filled for the 24 Hours only. Quite a headache when imagining a scenario like this…

Exclusive Hypercar only 24 Hours of Le Mans: like in the days of the Group C

And even though the GT has become inseparable from the Le Mans race alongside the prototypes, the unprecedented enthusiasm of manufacturers for the Hypercar poses a real problem for the wealthy (as described in the title).

The work done to find a worthy flagship category could not be wasted, and it is clear that choices would have to be made in such a case. If the SRO (notably the organizer of the Spa 24 Hours) had complete control over global GT, then everyone would play in their own field: the WEC would become 100% prototype, either with only Hypercars or with LMP2 as well if not enough participants. This would bring endurance racing back to its previous golden age, represented by the legendary Group C.

In this case, a certain thorn would be removed from the organizers’ side, as it would allow, even with a fully-filled Hypercar field, to open the doors even wider for the teams and private individuals.

If we go back to our crazy 2025 scenario, in the most extremely optimistic case with the various rumors:

• Two Toyota
• Two Ferrari
• Two Peugeot
• Two Porsche
• Two Cadillac
• Two BMW
• Two Alpine
• Two Lamborghini
• Two Isotta Fraschini
• Two McLaren
• Two Aston Martin
• Two Honda
• One Vanwall

*this list only mentioning the hypothetical factory programs

…and then two private cars per manufacturer are added, except for Vanwall: that would bring the total to 50 cars, just to make it more even. You might say that this would leave room for twelve GT3 cars. But this category is so successful that it would be illogical to grant it so few spots.

So, the problem of invitations would be quickly resolved, referring to the point mentioned above: the twelve remaining spots would then be given to invited Hypercars (coming from IMSA for example) and why not to small manufacturers, craftsmen in a way, who would only prepare for the 24 Hours. While we’re at it, they would have their dedicated category with a small trophy up for grabs. What would the people ask for?

It is precisely in this scenario that manufacturers like Glickenhaus, unable to reasonably compete with the major brands, could participate in Le Mans. It would be a way to create beautiful stories, like the one of Pescarolo Sport, when a private team would challenge the sacred Audi.

What about hydrogen?

Will these be Hypercars? Prototypes resembling LMP2s? The details of the future hydrogen category are not yet fully established, but it is clear that it is already generating interest from manufacturers like Toyota, who are heavily involved in its development.

In any case, the first prototypes should initially run within the times of the best GT3.

Be that as it may, the arrival of Hydrogen could not only increase the ranks of the 24 Hours, but could also require new stands (in the sector of the karting esses, for example). It must be said that Hypercars cannot multiply infinitely and that this contingent of manufacturers may change from one year to another.

This would be in line with the hypothesis concerning 100% prototype 24-hour races. But the problem that arises is that hydrogen will probably also host factory programs in the coming years! Toyota has already presented a prototype and it is not impossible for Peugeot, BMW, and Hyundai to join the game as well.

In any case, if they were to materialize, the ACO and the WEC will have their work cut out for them to ensure that they disappoint as few people as possible. But it would be like believing in the goose that lays the golden eggs to think that everything would be perfect. Let’s not spoil our enjoyment, a golden age is meant to be savored without hunger. And any hiccups would be gladly forgiven.