Paul Jeffrey
Premium
With a record low five works LMP1 cars for the biggest sportscar race of them all this year, the question has to be asked if Prototype racing has just become too expensive to remain relevant in modern motorsport.
For years now the LMP1 Prototype category of endurance racing has represented the biggest, fastest and most technologically advanced form of GT racing in the world. However since the withdrawal of the works Audi squad and lack of any new challenges within the World Endurance Championship, has this spectacular class of racing run its course in its current configuration, or have the last couple of years been merely a blip on the radar before bigger and better things lay ahead?
Globally motorsport has been in recession for a number of years now, with many manufacturers scaling down their investment in the sport and teams looking to tighten budgets across their many racing programmes throughout the world.
Whilst the likes of established series such as the Formula One and the World Rally Championship have cut back on budgets and losing teams on a regular basis, the LMP1 prototype class had continued to grow and expand relatively unchecked. However recent trends suggest the level of investment required to remain at the top of the field in modern prototype racing is becoming unachievable for all but a few, is it time to change the formula or simply tough out the rough periods in the hope of better times ahead?
The question for today therefor is:
Does the current LMP1 ruleset prohibit the series from growing, and should the regulations be adjusted to encourage new manufacturers to enter the sport?
This is a difficult question and one I expect will fire up plenty of diverse opinions from our readers, so as always I implore you to remain sensible and respect others opinions in the comments section please!