A current Formula One car would have the ability to complete the Le Mans 24 Hours, according to Lotus technical director Nick Chester.
The flagship World Endurance Championship (WEC) race takes place today at the Circuit de la Sarthe, with F1 interest heightened further than usual by the participation of Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg for Porsche.
With four different categories - LMP1, LMP2, GTE Pro and GTE Am - all taking place within the same race, Chester says modern F1 regulations mean a 2015 car would be able to complete the full 24 hours if required.
"It would be a lot of fun and I’d love the challenge of engineering an F1 car for a 24 hour race," Chester said. "The current engine regulations mean we have an engine and gearbox which could cover the race distance and that certainly wasn’t the case in the past.
"The current F1 car could go in an endurance race such is the performance life of so many of the parts these days. In the past with the V8s and older gearboxes, you wouldn’t have the durability. Maybe it’s something we should talk to the ACO about…"
Ferrari is the only manufacturer represented in both F1 and the WEC at present, with AF Corse running in the GT classes.
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