FIA and ACO extend WEC contract until the end of 2020

The deal between the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) to organise the World Endurance Championship has been extended until the end of the 2020 season. FIA President Jean Todt and ACO President Pierre Fillon signed the contract during the FIA WEC weekend at Silverstone.

“It’s only rational to move forward and try to make things better. As regards the loss of Audi, that’s motorsport history – people come, they stay, the leave. It’s up to us as the governing body and the ACO as the organisers to make a show that encourages both manufacturers and privateers to enter. The most important thing is to be vigilant about the evolution of the technical regulations and costs,” Jean Todt said.

Pierre Fillon (ACO) and Jean Todt (FIA)

The 2020 FIA WEC season would be the first with new regulations for LMP1 class, with a goal to attract other manufacturer. One of them is supposed to be Peugeot. There is also a discussion about new format of race weekend, in order to improve a visibility of GTE class, with possible sprint race for GTE cars. It was already announced that BMW would join GTE grid in 2018.

“We’re working on the rules now with the target of retaining the technology and performance level but reducing costs,” Pierre Fillon said. Further details on the 2020 LMP1 regulations are expected to be revealed at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Photo: fiawec.com, lemans.org,