What Is 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship

Overview

The 2022 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) was the 20th season of the FIA's premier endurance racing series. It spanned from June to November 2022, featuring six rounds across three continents, including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, which celebrated its 90th running.

The season marked a pivotal shift in endurance racing with the introduction of the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class, replacing the previous LMP1 prototypes. This new era emphasized cost control, closer competition, and manufacturer diversity, with entries from Toyota, Glickenhaus, and Alpine.

• Toyota won the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours with the GR010 Hybrid, driven by José María López, Mike Conway, and Kamui Kobayashi.
• The season kicked off on June 11, 2022, at the 6 Hours of Sebring, marking the first round of the championship.
• Porsche returned as a factory team in GTE-Pro, competing with the updated 911 RSR-19 model.
• The 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 12, 2022, served as the final round and season finale of the championship.
• LMH regulations allowed for hybrid and non-hybrid entries, with performance balanced by the FIA to ensure parity.

How It Works

The 2022 WEC season followed a structured format combining endurance circuits, technical regulations, and driver classifications to ensure competitive balance and safety across classes.

• Le Mans Hypercar (LMH): This was the new top class, replacing LMP1. It allowed manufacturers to build bespoke chassis or use approved platforms with hybrid or non-hybrid powertrains.
• Hypercar Balance of Performance (BoP): The FIA adjusted weight, power, and aerodynamics monthly to ensure no single car dominated due to performance advantages.
• Driver Ratings: Drivers were rated Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum based on experience. Entries had to include at least one Bronze or Silver-rated driver in LMP2 and LMGT3.
• Endurance Format: Races lasted 6 or 24 hours, with mandatory pit stops, driver changes, and fuel strategy playing crucial roles in outcomes.
• Points System: Full points were awarded at Le Mans (38-35-33-31...), while other rounds offered 25-18-15-12... for top finishers.
• Team & Manufacturer Titles: Separate championships were awarded for manufacturers and teams in Hypercar, LMP2, and GTE classes.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2022 WEC featured multiple classes with distinct technical and competitive profiles. The table below compares them:

The table highlights the performance differences between classes and the competitive outcomes of the 2022 season. While LMH cars were slower than LMP2s due to regulation constraints, they were designed for closer racing and manufacturer engagement. GTE-Pro saw fierce battles between Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette, with Porsche taking the title. The data reflects the WEC’s shift toward accessibility and long-term manufacturer involvement.

Why It Matters

The 2022 FIA WEC season was a turning point in endurance racing, setting the stage for future innovation and global appeal. Its new regulations attracted diverse manufacturers and improved competition, making it a model for sustainable motorsport.

• Cost reduction in LMH design allowed smaller manufacturers like Glickenhaus to compete with factory-backed teams.
• The return of Porsche to GTE-Pro strengthened brand rivalry and fan engagement in long-distance racing.
• Le Mans 24 Hours remained the centerpiece, drawing over 250,000 spectators and global TV coverage.
• The BoP system ensured tight racing, with less than one lap separating first and fifth in Hypercar at Le Mans.
• Endurance racing promoted hybrid technology development, influencing road car innovation in energy recovery systems.
• The WEC’s global reach, with races in USA, Europe, and Asia, expanded its fanbase and commercial partnerships.

The 2022 season laid the foundation for the upcoming LMGT3 class in 2024, ensuring the WEC remains a leader in technological advancement and motorsport entertainment.