GT3 'Premium' on track for 2024

The name is not definitive, but the future LM GT3 / GT3 Premium was more precisely detailed this Friday during the ACO press conference on the sidelines of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.   The technical base will be the same as for the GT3s as previously announced, but the cars which are notably entered in the Asian Le Mans Series or in the championships promoted by SRO Motorsports (Fanatec GT World Challenge, etc.) will be fitted with a specific aero kit.  "We want visual modifications, in the form of a kit, which will be subject to a cost-capped," explains Richard Mille, Chairman of the FIA Endurance Commission. The cost could be in the range of €50,000 to €100,000. There will be the possibility of removing this additional kit and returning the car to GT3 conditions."   However, nothing is expected to change on the engine side. As for the tyres, which will be commercial tyres, only one manufacturer should be selected after a call for tenders.   In line with the ACO's philosophy, the Pro-Am format should oblige the teams to include a Bronze driver in their crews. However, it is impossible to see factory entries in the category.  We are talking about amateurs in GTE," continues Richard Mille. "Today we have drivers who have the financial means to enter, but that's no reason not to control the budgets in the future. As you know, we are cutting costs in Hypercar and the success is there because we have proved that with a reasonable budget you can race in WEC and Le Mans. With the GT3 category, it's the same approach, but it has to be devolved to amateurs, without factory involvement for a programme. There is the possibility for brands to sell cars to private teams."   Seeing Corvette Racing in its current involvement will no longer be possible in 2024. Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO, also told Endurance-Info that the category would be open to all makes to ensure the best possible diversity without excluding that those present in Hypercar could have the primacy of the entries.  The torque meter will also be integrated into the BoP system in the same way as in GTE Pro.