Photo : Sébastien BASSANI (ACO) - Sébastien BASSANI (ACO)

 

Each driver who wants to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans which is included in the Championship, must submit an application to the FIA Endurance Commission 15 days before the administrative and technical inspection procedure at the first race of the season. The categorization is made by the Commission based on the ranking of drivers and is reviewed at the end of each season to take account of race performance. The list of applicable drivers for the next season will be published no later than the 1st of December of the previous year.

Essentially, this determines if each driver is deemed to be professional, semi-professional, experienced amateur or beginner. The Platinum category is restricted to professional drivers under the age of 50 years and who have a reputation on the international scene. They must have participated in single-seater championships and achieved results and then have .. or perhaps even won the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Even if they have not, some parameters may cause the Endurance Commission to include drivers in the Platinum category.

The gold category includes semi-professional drivers from international series or who have distinguished themselves in a national drivers championship. It should be noted that Platinum drivers between 50 and 59 years are automatically downgraded to the Gold category.

Amateur drivers who are already experienced are placed in the Silver category, while drivers who hold an international B license but do not yet have a significant track record in motor sports can be found in the Bronze category.

The classification affects the composition of driver crews, but that is another story ...

Cécile Bonardel / ACO
Translated by Dave Davies / ACO