24 Hours of Le Mans: what will be the effects of the BoP?

The Balance of Performance for the 24 Hours of Le Mans was unveiled at the beginning of the week, just over ten days before the Le Mans classic, which promises to be as crazy as last year. In Hypercar and GT3, the adjustments made could have consequences on the hierarchy.

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The BoP is a point of debate in the eyes of some. False hierarchy for some, artifice for others… Opinions differ.

But it remains essential for the medium-term appeal of the WEC, both for the public and for manufacturers. The latter, who came in numbers in Hypercar and LMGT3, were in a way given carte blanche on their concept. Such unique cars must necessarily be put on an equal footing. Without this, the differences would be huge and the brands would leave as quickly as they arrived.

At the dawn of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, fourteen manufacturers will compete for the win, in Hypercar and LMGT3 (fifteen if we count Oreca, the only LMP2 supplier). Here is what the BoP could foretell.

Hypercar: Toyota’s revenge?

Last year, for the centenary, the race had been driven crazy by an almost constant battle between no less than five major manufacturers, who did not let go of each other for a moment.

This time, the performances of nine different cars must be harmonized as much as possible. With a grid of 23 Hypercars, things might get pretty intense.

The lightest car will be the Cadillac, which will exceed the minimum weight for the first time this season (1,036 kg). Several other prototypes will also be below 1040 kilograms: the Alpine at 1,038, the BMW, and the Lamborghini at 1,039.

The eyes will, of course, be turned towards the three main favorites of this 92nd edition: Porsche, Ferrari, and Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer will have the highest weight, (1,053 kg), compared to 1,043 and 1,042 kg for the Italian and the German. However, Toyota has benefited from a significant lightening and could therefore regain a lot of pace.

Moreover when the energy on a relay is in their favor: with 906 MJ allocated, the GR010 could be the best off of all the Hypercars. At least in a fair way, since Porsche, with 904 MJ, will not be far behind. Ferrari, on the other hand, will only have 889 MJ, the lowest allocation among the Hypercars. This could make a significant difference in such a long race.

Regarding the power allocated below 250 km/h, the equality between Toyota and Ferrari (508 KW) should not be of much help for Ferrari to defend its crown at Le Mans. But these are just estimates, as the reality of the track will be the true judge.

Porsche, on the other hand, will have 511 KW. The power prize will go to Lamborghini, which will have 519 KW. Is it all good for Romain Grosjean in the invited SC63?

It will finally remain to be seen how the tricolor clans will fare. Alpine, in addition to a finally not very high mass, will have at its disposal 507 kW (under 250 km/h) and 903 MJ, which still represents a decrease compared to Spa.

Finally, Peugeot still has to deal with a disadvantageous BoP, the 9X8 2024 having been released during the season. The Sochaux-based manufacturer will have to carry 1,047 kg, use 508 kW in power, and 895 MJ per relay. Life looks tough and it will certainly take a lot of race incidents to see Peugeot repeat last year’s feat.

Here is the detail of the BoP Hypercar.

© WEC / Here is the detail of the Hypercar BoP

LMGT3: Who benefits?

The Mantey team, which takes care of the 911 GT3 No. 91 and No. 92, will have a favorable allocation on paper: they will be the lightest cars, matched only by the Ford Mustangs from Proton (1,327 kg).

Porsche will also have the highest power in terms of the engine mode: it will have the P3 (the least powerful being the P0). But the P4 has been given to BMW, Corvette, and Lexus, the latter finally being better off with the BoP.

But the Stuttgart team will not have all the advantages either: the highest energy given on a relay goes to Lexus. All the better for the French audience, as the Akkodis Tricolor team will have 694 MJ, far ahead of the others. However, they will have the heaviest weight (1,355 kg).

The Iron Dames, by extension Iron Lynx, with the Lamborghini Huracan, came very close to victory at Spa, after starting from pole position. The Italian manufacturer will have the least powerful car (P15, the minimum), the heaviest mass (1,355 kg, like Lexus) and 670 MJ of energy in one relay. Needless to say, life will not be easy. <img class = "rounded-sm shadow-3d" src = "

Of course, how not to talk about BMW and its two M4s from the Belgian WRT team? Because a certain Valentino Rossi, famous MotoGP champion, also drives very well, on number 46, with Ahmad Al-Harty and Maxime Martin.

The two Bavarian cars will have the P4 in power, 1,331 kg on the scale (among the lightest) and 977 MJ on a relay. Much more than Porsche in the end. Thus, BMW could have good assets in its hand. It remains to be seen if "Il Dottore" could triumph with his teammates.

The detail of the BoP LMGT3.

© WEC / The details of the LMGT3 BoP.
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