Hypercar class BoP updates ahead of Le Mans
Discover more from The Rennsport Report
Hypercar class BoP updates ahead of Le Mans
Changes to the BoP were announced by the WEC on Wednesday, ahead of this Sunday's official Le Mans Test Day.
The Balance of Performance (BoP) for the Hypercar class at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans has been adjusted. The Toyota GR010 HYBRID, which has won the first three rounds of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, has seen its minimum weight increase by 37kg. The Porsche 963 LMDh, on the other hand, has only seen its minimum weight increase by 3kg.
Ferrari's 499P LMH, which has finished on the podium in each of the first three races, will be 24kg heavier at Le Mans. The Cadillac V-Series. R LMDh, the third quickest car this year, has been given an 11kg weight penalty. The Peugeot 9X8, a four wheel-drive hybrid LMH like the Toyota and the Ferrari, has an unchanged Balance of Performance (BoP), as do the Glickenhaus-Pipo 007 and Vanwall-Gibson Vandervell 680 non-hybrid LMHs.
The modifications are thought to have been made in an effort to close the gap between Toyota and the other Hypercar entries. The Toyota has been dominant this season, winning by an average margin of more than two laps. The adjustments will likely make the race more competitive at Le Mans, the WEC's showpiece.
In addition to the weight changes, the fuel consumption limits for the Hypercar cars have also been changed. Toyota and Porsche have both had their fuel consumption limits reduced by 10%. This is also likely to make the race more competitive, as it will force the teams to conserve fuel more carefully.
The adjustments to the BoP are sure to be welcomed by WEC fans. Toyota's dominance has been a major talking point this season, and the adjustments are likely to make the races more exciting. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious races in the world, and the adjustments to the BoP are sure to make it even more competitive.