The WEC is witnessing an unprecedented stage of producer involvement within the high Hypercar class, with 5 main producers competing within the 2023 season and three extra poised to hitch the class subsequent 12 months.
Unbiased groups like Glickenhaus and Vanwall have struggled to stay aggressive towards elevated competitors from their better-funded rivals, with the previous’s fifth place end result on the Le Mans 24 Hours the one time a privateer entry completed inside the highest 5 this 12 months.
However former IndyCar racer Briscoe, who contested six races for Glickenhaus between 2021-23 and likewise drove for Vanwall on this month’s Bahrain finale, feels the hole between the highest and the underside half of the grid might be closed down.
He feels that the Steadiness of Efficiency system that’s designed to place all Hypercar groups in the identical efficiency window can provide privateers a real probability to go up towards the giants of endurance racing.
“It is tough for a privateer right here however on the identical time there’s at all times a possibility as a result of we’re racing in a category that’s restricted on efficiency,” Briscoe instructed Autosport.
“There’s the BoP. You need to be in a window on downforce and together with your energy output. So even with all the cash on the earth you may’t develop a automobile with twice as a lot downforce as a result of you aren’t allowed to try this.
“Perhaps you may optimise the place you sit within the window and in all situations to be there always.
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“Even for privateer groups working on a a lot smaller finances, you may at all times be shut and nonetheless knock on the door. And when you can construct a automobile that’s dependable… who would not need to see the small man win?
“I feel from my first impressions speaking to [Vanwall boss Colin] Kolles right here [in Bahrain], that is their objective, they’re right here to win. Their plans are long run and he desires to be and he desires to win races. I do not assume it is unimaginable.”
The inflow of massive producers has threatened the way forward for impartial groups within the WEC’s high class because of the restricted variety of grid slots obtainable.
Glickenhaus has elected to exit the championship following three seasons after failing to get the sponsorship required to improve its 007 LMH, whereas Vanwall’s entry in 2024 may depend on Ferrari’s plans concerning a third, customer-run car.
However Gabriel Aubry, who has examined Isotta’s Tipo 6 Competizione LMH automobile and is predicted to race for the group subsequent 12 months, doesn’t assume Hypercar will develop into a site of huge producers.
Requested if the championship ought to reserve some entries for privateer or impartial groups, a number of LMP2 race winner Aubry instructed Autosport: “I feel by nature we’ll reserve some slots to privateers as a result of producers can’t simply come and get the entire thing.
“Perhaps it would occur for 2 or three years however I do not assume it is completely sustainable.
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“We now have survived on this championship with the privateers because the ’60s, so it signifies that it’s pure. We’re part of this and we’ll stay a part of the championship.”
Aubry pressured the significance of impartial groups in WEC, together with those that compete within the championship with buyer automobiles.
“Privateers have additionally been a part of the historical past of Le Mans,” he mentioned. “We now have seen what number of Porsche privateers have received Le Mans.
“It is a part of Le Mans, it is a part of what makes Le Mans so distinctive. You will have the David vs Goliath fights. I will be very glad for it to stay and maintain that historical past of Le Mans so distinctive.”