The IMSA has confirmed the calendar for the new Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) regulations, as well as their debut in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship during the 2029 season.
The introduction of the new machines will be carried out gradually, with an advancement for 2028, where they will be implemented in all championships of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Advancement of manufacturers
According to an exclusivity agreement between IMSA and ACO, the new gra will come from two approved manufacturers: Ligier Automotive and ORECA.
Technical specifications
Regarding aerodynamic features, they will remain similar to the current ones, which debuted in 2017. However, the most significant change will occur under the hood, as new generation prototypes will replace the current atmospheric engines with a turbocharged V6 engine of 460 kW (approximately 616 horsepower) manufactured by Gibson Technology.
Stability for competitors
To ensure stability and economic viability for active participants, the WeatherTech championship will maintain its current system until the end of the 2028 season. Thus, teams will continue to compete with the familiar ORECA LMP2 07 chassis powered by Gibson V8 engines for the next three years, before transitioning to the new rules during the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2029.
Cost control for teams
IMSA President John Doonan has emphasized that this calendar extension is a conscious decision aimed at protecting teams’ investments and allowing long-term operational planning. “One of our priorities is to ensure that competitors have enough time to plan for the future,” he stated.
Moreover, Doonan pointed out that the LMP2 class is currently enjoying robust health within the WeatherTech championship, a trend that IMSA hopes to maintain during the 2028 transition. The ACO has reaffirmed this commitment to economic sustainability, ensuring that the new regulations promote cost control to remain accessible for private teams.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
