WEC 2024: Teams Banned from Artificially Heating Tyres at Le Mans, Ferrari Drivers Express Safety Concerns
In a move to prioritize environmental sustainability, the FIA has announced that teams competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2024 will not be allowed to artificially heat their tyres at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15-16. This decision comes as part of the updated sporting regulations for the 2024 season.
Although the WEC initially imposed a tyre warmer ban at the start of the 2023 season, it was temporarily lifted for Le Mans due to a series of crashes on cold tyres at the previous Spa race. However, organisers Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the FIA have opted to maintain the ban for all eight rounds of WEC 2024, including the blue riband round at La Sarthe.
Ferrari Drivers Voice Concerns
Ferrari drivers have voiced their concerns regarding the decision, citing safety risks associated with cold tyres, particularly during the night sessions of the race. Miguel Molina, driver of the #50 Ferrari, believes the rulemakers should reconsider the ban, stating, “This is something we are concerned about… We have seen in the past that it is not easy, and we will have to be very careful because there is a risk of losing the race right away.”
Antonio Giovinazzi, driver of the #51 Ferrari, echoed Molina’s sentiments, adding that the lack of tyre warmers will make it a major challenge to put temperature into the tyres during the night session. “Facing the night with cold tyres will be quite challenging, it’s an unknown and a concern we all have – drivers and teams,” he told Autosport.
Ferrari’s Urgency for Le Mans Success
Ferrari heads into Le Mans with a sense of urgency, following two frustrating results at Imola and Spa, where it arguably had the fastest car in the Hypercar field. The team is currently 5th and 9th in the drivers’ standings, facing a significant deficit to the points-leading #6 Porsche trio.
The double points-scoring Le Mans round has become even more critical for Ferrari’s hopes of winning the 2024 WEC title. Alessandro Pier Guidi, driver of the #51 Ferrari, emphasized the importance of a strong performance at La Sarthe, stating, “For the championship, it is a sore point, but luckily there are a lot of points up for grabs at Le Mans, so it will be even more important to do well at la Sarthe.”
The 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans is set to take place on June 15-16, with Ferrari and its rivals vying for glory in the prestigious WEC calendar 2023. Will the tyre warmer ban prove to be a game-changer at La Sarthe? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more WEC 2024 updates and news.
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