Within the massive regulatory change that will live on the WEC in the season 2018-19 as a result of the renewal of the class LMP1 and the arrival of a two year calendar, the promoters of the contest and the FIA to consider other measures in parallel to improve the show. In this aspect, WEC value to allow the change of tyres can do to the couple that the refuelling. The current procedure is of 1994 and indicates that the only work that can be done during refuelling is the change of pilots, avoiding any type of repair or work on the car and therefore, the replacement of the tires.
The idea is to take in the WEC’s current rules pit stops of the IMSA, which has been in use since 2014, and that should in theory deliver more stops quick and decisive. All in all, it is understood that it will remain part of the legislation that limits to two the number of mechanics who can participate in the change of wheels. It is, at this point, that limitations apply around the number of air gun that can be used and if the engine will be able to maintain ignition in the refuelling, as indicated by the current procedure.
In this aspect, there are voices in the paddock, explaining that the reason for the change of tires and refueling are done separately is to to avoid that the mechanics could be grass fire in case of leak of fuel. On the contrary, this format would eliminate the competition of the mechanical force changes of tires very fast, because during a full load of fuel there’s plenty of time for the replacement of the tires. This measure, which a priori shall not affect the limitation of four sets of tires established in LMP1, LMP2 and LMGTE-Pro for the races of 6 hours, will be discussed at the next World Council of the Motor.
–