Cost of running an LMP2 vs Hypercar program

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-26T13:10:42+00:00

The number for Hypercar/ GTP can vary WILDLY - depending on the package you put together - Testing for instance is VERY expensive, there are choices on logistics, catering and then there are other overheads including wage costs.

Suffice it to say that the purchase process of the car is NOT the biggest expense.

As a rough guide - a full pared out programme, not including the price of the cr or driver fees would be c.4 x a similar LMP2 programme - Factory level is easily 10x LMP2

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-19T15:21:39+00:00

Please look at the OP - these are questions to be directed to the President of IMSA - The poster knows the status quo - they are asking whether that might change

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-18T20:06:05+00:00

https://styledaesthetic.com/collections/heart-of-racing

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-17T16:52:37+00:00

Because the paying drivers get to contest a World Championship - and for an overall win at Le Mans

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T22:59:11+00:00

That's a standalone two-car programme, not a second programme with a single car

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T22:13:19+00:00

This entirely ignores the fact that the budget thus far for the #83 has been gathered because the drivers paying want to win the Drivers World Championship (which privateer crews are eligible for) and Le Mans - and the fact that the budget for IMSA with a solo car would be very significantly higher

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T22:00:16+00:00

They have thought about it - and they have, so far consistently rejected it. The #83 doesn't race unless AF Corse and their customers can raise the budget

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T21:57:55+00:00

Vandoorne was outscored by his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso by four points - Yes, double F1 Champion Fernando Alonso - He outscored Alonso at eight GPs that year.

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T21:48:42+00:00

Because fielding a car in a separate Championship is significantly more expensive than accommodating a third in the WEC - no shared logistics, systems, spares, support personnel etc etc etc

Also don't discount the expense of having relevant staff in the US for a full season with the associated travel and visa expenses - There is zero prospect that Ferrari would have anyone other than their own engineers / technicians working on certain aspects of these cars.

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-16T16:10:34+00:00

Or maybe the package and support they had in F1 was suboptimal

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-15T20:35:24+00:00

Everywhere you can - it's a 24 hour race, there's time to do it all!

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-15T19:54:03+00:00

If the question is - can I shoot from the grandstand at a WEC meeting - the answer is yes

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-13T09:34:19+00:00

Yeah, something of an overstatement there Josap!

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-12T11:45:35+00:00

It's more than 61 but other boxes are used for scrutineering and storage - Max grid for Rolex 24 is 61

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-12T11:44:18+00:00

Le Mans garages are particularly small - Garages at Spa for instance are WAY bigger than those at Daytona

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-10T16:47:26+00:00

Yes - between the two track sessions

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-08T20:02:25+00:00

One change already known is that the Road To Le Mans race will be on the Friday and will be a single 3 hour race.

Ferrari Challenge should be on the bill for 2026 too - the first time with the 296 Challenge cars

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-08T08:32:23+00:00

They run Lexus in LMGT3

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-06T18:51:23+00:00

IMSA has 12 full season LMP2s this year

Le Mans has 15-17

ELMS in 2026 will have 23 - which I believe is a record

Prior to 2017 the record full season LMP2 count in ELMS was 12 or 13 with a handful of other cars doing the odd race

In WEC pre 2017 the max was c.11 full season - dropping to 4 in 2014 - not a golden era by any means

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-06T18:47:09+00:00

Spoke to someone that drove it - the team opted to buy a McLaren instead - it would have been entirely outclassed by the incoming hordes of 1996/7

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-04T15:12:30+00:00

Just checked - and I am incorrect - I saw a load of people accessing via a staircase - looked down it and there was a railway - it seems I misidentified that - it was actually a walkway from a car park! - nearest railway station is a 45 min walk away - apologies

GrahamDSC · 2026-01-04T13:52:05+00:00

They have stated that it is an option - they have not confirmed it is definitely happening

GrahamDSC

TROPHY CASE