If F1 are serious about reducing costs and maybe helping out as far as engine supply from a cost perspective, I don't see how a similar deal can't help LMP1.
If costs were brought down and there were quality chassis makers out there/teams who'd be willing buy customer engines from any engine supplier, that could make the "DPI" element more palatable, as well as still allowing for development of engines and cars.
Where we're at right now, if you want to be an engine supplier, you might as well design and build your own car, because the ACO's current regs (and lack at this moment at least of a viable partner with a car that's ready to go until the end of the season) basically encourage such a deal, as well as the factory having control over almost every aspect of the car.
Hopefully a deal similar to the original DPI of the Lola-Aston Martin might become a reality.
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