Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard won the World Endurance Championship for Drivers and Porsche were victorious in the World Endurance Championship for Manufacturers. The World Endurance Championship for LMGTE Drivers was won by Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado with the World Endurance Championship for LMGTE Manufacturers awarded to Ferrari.[1]
The ACO announced a provisional calendar on 22 September 2016, largely identical to the 2016 schedule. For the 2017 season, the 6 Hours of Nürburgring event was moved one week earlier in the year, in order to avoid a potential clash with the German Grand Prix. At the same time, for the first time in the history of the WEC, the official pre-season test was not held at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, and was instead held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy.[2]
As part of the ACO's 2017 regulations, the LMP2 category has been revamped with the introduction of a single specification motor from Gibson Technology, with increased power output compared to 2016 LMP2s.[53] Cockpit and chassis designs also resembled the LMP1 regulations for safety.[54] The four approved chassis manufacturers were Dallara, Ligier, Oreca and Riley.[55] Due to the single engine manufacturer, LMP2 teams were allowed an unlimited number of engines during the season.
At the behest of the manufacturers in LMGTE, the World Motor Sport Council approved the promotion of the GT Manufacturers' and Drivers' World Cups to world championship status, on par with the Manufacturers' and Drivers' World Championships for the LMP categories.[56] LMGTE teams were also limited to only three tyre compounds over the season, although the third compound does not have to be chosen until Le Mans.[57] However, teams in LMGTE Pro as well as LMP1, were limited to four sets of tyres plus two spares at all six-hour races. LMGTE entries also no longer incurred a penalty for changing an engine between qualifying and the race.[56]
Across all categories, limitations on testing have been decreased in an attempt to lower costs. Wind tunnel testing has also been further restricted.[56]
Results and standings
Race results
The highest finishing competitor entered in the World Endurance Championship is listed below. Invitational entries may have finished ahead of WEC competitors in individual races.
^Although entered under the G-Drive Racing banner for sponsorship purposes and considered an additional entry by the FIA, the No. 22 is entered by the DragonSpeed Racing team of the European Le Mans Series, and not associated with the No. 26 car entered by TDS Racing.[24]
^The LMGTE Am class winner for Le Mans was the No. 84 JMW Motorsport invitational entry. As it was not a full-season WEC entrant, the points for the win were awarded to the No. 55 Spirit of Race entry.[58]
Entries were required to complete the timed race as well as to complete 70% of the overall winning car's race distance in order to earn championship points. A single bonus point was awarded to the team and all drivers of the pole position car for each category in qualifying. For the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race result points allocation was doubled. Furthermore, a race must complete three laps under green flag conditions in order for championship points to be awarded.[60]
Driver championships
Four titles were offered to drivers, two with world championship status. The World Endurance Drivers' Championship was reserved for LMP1 and LMP2 drivers while the GT World Endurance Drivers' Championship was available for drivers in the LMGTE categories. An FIA Endurance Trophy was awarded in the LMP2 and in the LMGTE Am categories.[60] The FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 Private Teams Drivers was not rewarded in 2017 due to not meeting the minimum number of entrants.[61]
Two manufacturers' titles were be contested, one for LMP1s and one for LMGTEs. The World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship was only open to manufacturer entries in the LMP1 category, while the GT World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship allowed all entries from registered manufacturers in LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am to participate. The top two finishing cars from each manufacturer earned points toward their total.[60]
An FIA Endurance Trophy was awarded in the LMP2, LMGTE Pro, and LMGTE Am categories.[60] A trophy for the private LMP1 teams was not awarded in 2017 due to not meeting the minimum number of entrants.[61]
