[WEC] WEC 2022 Season

[J Jay]

May as well make this now, given the provisional calendar has been announced.

Six races + prologue, running from March to September.

Sebring & Fuji are back on the schedule, the former running as a double-header with IMSA the same weekend.

Provisional 2022 FIA WEC Calendar

12/13 March – Prologue test – Sebring
18 March – 1000 Miles of Sebring
1 May – 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps
11/12 June – Le Mans 24 Hours
10 July – 6 Hours of Monza
11 September – 6 Hours of Fuji
11 November – 8 Hours of Bahrain

As expected, Portimao gets the boot in place of Sebring.

[tux]

I’m guessing Brexit has many unintended consequences that we didn’t know about.

[Alex Langheck]

I've seen complaints about no Silverstone, but just guessing, maybe they don't want and/or can afford a round? The WEC is hardly F1 or MotoGP, and doesn't bring in anywhere near the same crowds - if it did, they'd be all over it.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Alex Langheck

I've seen complaints about no Silverstone, but just guessing, maybe they don't want and/or can afford a round? The WEC is hardly F1 or MotoGP, and doesn't bring in anywhere near the same crowds - if it did, they'd be all over it.

I think this is true on both sides - Silverstone and the WEC aren't important enough to each other to overcome whatever obstacles (money, scheduling, logistics, etc.) there were to keeping it on the calendar.

Brexit will have been a factor, but even before then there were persistent rumblings about Silverstone being removed.

[joeb]

I like the schedule, the Sebring round is a great re-addition and I hope they can finally have a race at Fuji. With Covid cancellations and rain the years prior, I just want some smooth sailing over there!

Any mention of a Le mans test day?

[Aysedasi]

For me, it is supremely disappointing that Silverstone isn't on the schedule. Aside from Le Mans, it was always the highlight of my racing year. Still, getting back to LM next year remains the absolute priority....

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

For me, it is supremely disappointing that Silverstone isn't on the schedule.

Hearty recommendation: go to Spa.

Flight from Heathrow to Luxembourg no more than £80 return. Car hire at Luxembourg airport no more than £60 a day. Easy 90min drive from there to circuit. Endless good quality B&Bs nearby. Live on Frites and cheap beer. Watch the world's best cars at the world's most awesome circuit.

Once you've seen WEC at Spa you'll wonder why you ever bothered with Silverstone.

[hondafan37]

How many Hypercars will we have in 2022?
We know that 2023 is going to be a paradise but nevertheless 2022 is all mystery.
Only the 2 Toyota are confirmed for the full 2022 WEC.
We still do not know in which race the Peugeot will debut.
Glickenhaus has said that he will not be in the Asian rounds this year and may not go to Asia next year either.
The Alpine A480 Gibson, which previously ran as a Rebellion R13, is currently only grandfathered for one season per WEC regulations, which leaves questions over whether an extension will be granted by the FIA and ACO for it to race in the top Hypercar category for an additional year.
Signatech team principal Philippe Sinault has suggested that the team could be forced to revert to a LMP2 program if WEC does not grant them an extension.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

How many Hypercars will we have in 2022?
We know that 2023 is going to be a paradise but nevertheless 2022 is all mystery.
Only the 2 Toyota are confirmed for the full 2022 WEC.
We still do not know in which race the Peugeot will debut.
Glickenhaus has said that he will not be in the Asian rounds this year and may not go to Asia next year either.
The Alpine A480 Gibson, which previously ran as a Rebellion R13, is currently only grandfathered for one season per WEC regulations, which leaves questions over whether an extension will be granted by the FIA and ACO for it to race in the top Hypercar category for an additional year.
Signatech team principal Philippe Sinault has suggested that the team could be forced to revert to a LMP2 program if WEC does not grant them an extension.

Hopefully, Glicks will be there in the non-Asian rounds. That means there'll be some racing at least. While later on Peugeot should pick up the mantle.

To me it looks like Alpine R13 being given an extension to run next year is entirely dependent on the brand committing to LMH/LMDh for 2023.

Based on the above, I expect 2022 to be at least as exciting as this season.

[eps]

Originally Posted by Anyopenroad

Hearty recommendation: go to Spa.

Flight from Heathrow to Luxembourg no more than £80 return. Car hire at Luxembourg airport no more than £60 a day. Easy 90min drive from there to circuit. Endless good quality B&Bs nearby. Live on Frites and cheap beer. Watch the world's best cars at the world's most awesome circuit.

Once you've seen WEC at Spa you'll wonder why you ever bothered with Silverstone.

Well yes, don't get me wrong Francorchamps is fantastic - I've been quite a few times, but selfishly I can get to Silverstone in 25 minutes from home. Next year I've got plans for 2 trips to Le Mans (24hrs and Classic) so a further trip to Francorchamps may well be one trip too many.

Too many races and too much 'work' that gets in the way.

[broadrun96]

How very French, the WEC will be powered by wine. Total set to provide 100% renewable fuels for all entries from 2022.

"The new fuel, named “Excellium Racing 100,” is produced from bioethanol made from wine residues from the French agricultural industry and ETBE (Ethyl Tertio Butyl Ether) produced at a refinery near Lyon, France."

https://racer.com/2021/08/20/wec-to-...class-delayed/

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by joeb

Any mention of a Le mans test day?

No, but assuming we are back in normal times, I would assume June 5th (or possibly May 29th) would be set aside for Test Day.

Originally Posted by broadrun96

https://racer.com/2021/08/20/wec-to-...class-delayed/

Well it's settled - save the planet, support the sport, down that French plonk!

Seeing as I don't drink, I'm sure a few others will be willing to do their bit for me

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

How very French, the WEC will be powered by wine. Total set to provide 100% renewable fuels for all entries from 2022.

"The new fuel, named “Excellium Racing 100,” is produced from bioethanol made from wine residues from the French agricultural industry and ETBE (Ethyl Tertio Butyl Ether) produced at a refinery near Lyon, France."

https://racer.com/2021/08/20/wec-to-...class-delayed/

I wonder if the racetrack will smell a certain way

Also, will the top-3 have to drink Excellium Racing 100 on the podium too?

On a serious note, I think this is awesome on just about every level. If green fuels can buy us some more years of vroom-vroom, they're a gift from god (Bacchus in this particular case).

[Simmi]

Wonder when Peugeot will join the fray? That’s the big question.

[TheMightyM]

About what I expected for a schedule. I’m not surprised that Silverstone isn’t included given Brexit.

[Adam43]

Wooo, Sebring. I have tickets already.

[jonny142]

The WEC site have Spa down for the 7th May ,not the 1st .
lucky i looked as booking days off work .
https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/2022-...-revealed/7132

[broadrun96]

I think we have to be hopeful of holding station for a year and Toyota getting out in front of everyone.

Maybe Glickenhaus will find a buyer who wants to run a full season with a car hoping for some scraps for race history investment.

Honestly hope Alpine is told no, but betting we'll see them with the R13 again.

ByKolles could show up and...... Sorry I couldn't finish that without laughing, some humor and some sadness that all the work they've done hasn't resulted in much

[Coach Ep]

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...e-returns.html


It sure feels UA is gearing up to mount a LMDh campaign starting 2023.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...e-returns.html


It sure feels UA is gearing up to mount a LMDh campaign starting 2023.

I hope all best lmp2 like UA, jota and wrt will make the big step in lmdh soon or later

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...e-returns.html


It sure feels UA is gearing up to mount a LMDh campaign starting 2023.

Who do you think they could partner with? At least to start with Audi will probably go with WRT, and Penske is doing Porsche. Ferrari and Peugeot are spoken for as well. Could UA be in line for a second Audi team in the future, or possible somebody not committed at this point? Honda, BMW?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

Who do you think they could partner with? At least to start with Audi will probably go with WRT, and Penske is doing Porsche. Ferrari and Peugeot are spoken for as well. Could UA be in line for a second Audi team in the future, or possible somebody not committed at this point? Honda, BMW?

Would love to see them take on a WEC programme for BMW from their European base. Would be really cool.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by joeb

Who do you think they could partner with? At least to start with Audi will probably go with WRT, and Penske is doing Porsche. Ferrari and Peugeot are spoken for as well. Could UA be in line for a second Audi team in the future, or possible somebody not committed at this point? Honda, BMW?

Maybe its a hint of a future McLaren programme.....with the obvious ties between the two

[Woolley]

Gutted that Britain isn't on the calendar again. The twin homes of sportscars are Le Mans and Britain. Sure, it doesn't get F1 levels of crowds but I believe 40k over the weekend was normal. Very sad. Sort it out, someone.

[J Jay]

UA seem to be in a strange place - as much as they are clearly angling for an LMDh/Hypercar slot, their continued expansion suggests they're okay going without for a while.

Let me state the obvious (and probably incorrect) - I wonder if there were some musings about running with McLaren that were shelved pretty early on when it was clear McLaren weren't looking at the moment.