LMP diesels to be throttled back for Le Mans

The Peugeot and Audi turbodiesel EMP1 prototypes will be pegged back for the Le Mans 24 Hours and the new FIA World Endurance Championship next season.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which together with the FIA writes the rules for Le Mans and the WEC, has revealed new rules that it claims are designed to cut the power of the diesels by approximately seven per cent. The move is intended to bring their performance closer to that of their petrol-powered rivals.

ACO sporting manager Vincent Beaumesnil said: “Our main objective was not to put everybody on an equal footing, but to define the true potential of each of the competing technologies.”

The reduction in the performance of the diesels will be achieved by mandating smaller diameter engine air-restrictors, cutting turbo boost pressure and reducing fuel tank capacity from 65 to 60 litres.

• Next year’s Sebring 12 Hours will be the opening round of the WEC, which takes over from the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. The move follows the agreement of a new deal between the American Le Mans Series, which organises the Sebring event, and the ACO.