Hypercar homologation extended to 2032

Written by Benjamin Crundwell

Credit: Alpine

A day before the WEC's most fabled race, the ACO and FIA have announced an extension of the Hypercar Regulations to 2032.

The Hypercar rules first came into affect in 2021, as an attempt to increase the level of competition at the top of sports car racing. Previously the WEC and IMSA used the high-tech LMP1 cars which were too expensive to run.

After Porsche and Audi dropped out, a few teams were attempting to run LMP1 cars - such as Rebellion Racing - but none of them could come close to Toyota, who dominated 2019 and 2020.

The invention of the Hypercar regulations provided manufacturers a much cheaper route into the top class of Le Mans, and even made it a realistic opportunity for privateer teams such as AF Corse and JOTA.

Right at the start of the regulations, in 2021, there were only three Hypercar teams: Toyota, Alpine and Glickenhaus. The three were joined by Peugeot in 2022; then in 2023 the regulations started to gain some traction as Porsche, Ferrari, Cadillac and Vanwall entered cars.

As of 2025 there are now eight manufacturers in the Hypercar class, including big names such as BMW and Lamborghini. McLaren, Ford and Genesis have all expressed their intention to develop Hypercars in the next couple of years.

The extension of the Hypercar regulations from 2029 to 2032 is believed to have the purpose of providing McLaren, Ford and Genesis more time to race their new cars before the regulations change.

Additionally, the success of the Hypercar regulations means there is no reason for the ACO to change anything. Five years after they were first introduced, the popularity of WEC and IMSA is still continually growing - for fans and manufacturers.

Viewership and ticket sales have boosted as a result of much more competitive racing in both series, compared to half a decade ago when there was effectively only one team with the machinery to win.

The announcement that the Hypercar homologation has been extended is good news for all motor racing fans. Close racing across many manufacturers has been guaranteed for the next six years at the least.