6 Hours of Sao Paulo: BoP revealed, Ferrari heavily penalized
As the first free practice sessions of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo are looming on Friday, the organizers have published the Balance of Performance for the Hypercar and LMGT3. In the premier class, Ferrari has added no less than 18 kg on the scale.
Out of the picture at Losail, struggling with strategy at Imola, and unlucky at Spa, Ferrari chose the right moment to clinch its 2nd victory in the WEC, in the overall standings. With the 24 Hours of Le Mans won by N°50, it was expected that this triumph would translate into a significant advantage, especially after N°51’s 3rd place in Sarthe. The question remains whether Toyota, once again defeated, will be able to seek revenge.
Hypercar: Ferrari and Toyota the heaviest
All manufacturers have gained weight in preparation for Interlagos, which is returning to the WEC after a ten-year absence. The only exception is Isotta Fraschini, which will be the only one of the 17 Hypercars to compete at the minimum regulatory weight (1,030 kg).
The small Italian brand also received a little boost and will be the car with the most power available under 250 km/h (519 kW) and the widest range of energy on a relay (915 MJ, unchanged value).
But all eyes are obviously turning to the current top three teams in the championship, which is far from having delivered its verdict. Ferrari and Toyota will be racing at a weight of 1,060 kg. This represents a weight gain of about 18 kg for the Maranello team, compared to seven for Toyota.
Porsche, leader in all championships, will see its 963 official and private cars evolve with 1,051 kg, just like Peugeot. Stuttgart will have 512 KW of power under 250 km/h, with 908 MJ of energy for one stint. These respective values are 506 KW and 912 MJ for Toyota, 503 KW and 905 MJ for Ferrari. Balance of Performance not being the only deciding factor, we will have to wait and see how the top Hypercars adapt to the very selective Paulista circuit.
On the French side, Peugeot only gained 4 kg and will remain, at 1,051 kg, lighter than the leading cars. A power of 510 KW and a total energy of 909 MJ (+14) could help the 9X8 to perform better in the ranking. Reliability was exemplary at Le Mans: now it’s time to deliver a top performance.
At Alpine, it’s the opposite: the Dieppe LMDh was very competitive at Le Mans, but the Mechachrome engine didn’t last until the night. The BoP should be favorable to the A424 No. 35 and No. 36: 1,044 kg on the scale, 516 KW in the bank (+9) and 910 MJ available on a relay.
BMW, one of the disappointments at Le Mans, will also have 1,044 kg on its back, 512 KW, and 908 MJ at its disposal. Lamborghini and Cadillac will have the same weight (1,039 kg), the same power (519 KW), and almost the same energy for a relay (907 for Cadillac, 909 for Lamborghini). Now, the reality of the track will decide.
LMGT3: A new brand at the forefront?
The hype is obviously huge in Hypercar with incredibly undecided and contested races. It is hard to imagine what the arrival of Aston Martin next year will cause.
But in LMGT3, the suspense is not lacking: the two Porsches from Manthey are tied in points in the Team Trophy, two units ahead of the victorious BMW WRT No. 31 at Imola, ahead of No. 46.
Be that as it may, the minimum weight ballast will be for Ford: the brand-new Mustang GT3, a surprising 3rd at Le Mans on its first outing, will be set at 1,340 kg for N°77 and 1,345 for N°88, with power mode P6 (knowing that P0 is the best, P15 the least powerful). Proton Competition won’t complain about it.
The McLaren 720S (United Autosport) and the Aston Martin Vantage (D’Station and Heart of Racing) will be equipped with a slightly higher weight (1,348 kg), just like the Ferrari 296 GT3 from Vista AF Corse (1,349 kg). However, it is in the engine mode that everything changes.
Aston Martin will take on the P14, McLaren the P11, and Ferrari the P15. Lamborghini, on the other hand, will not really be spoiled, even if the Huracan remains a very powerful car. The Iron Lynx (No. 60) will have to drag 1,374 kg, while the Iron Dames (No. 85) will have 1,369 kg to move. With the P14 mode, a better value than at Le Mans.
The best power on the grid will be for WRT and its BMW, with the P4 available. But with 1,368 kg for No. 31 and 1,353 for No. 46. Lexus, with the French team Akkodis ASP, will weigh 1,355 kg with the P5 mode as a boost. Toyota’s GT3, as José Maria Lopez pointed out, is an aging car.
Corvette will remain at 1,358 kg, but will move from P4 to P6 compared to Le Mans. As for the favorite Porsche, the Manthey EMA No. 91 will bear the brunt of its Le Mans victory with the highest weight on the grid (1,375 kg). Beware of the Manthey PureRxcing No. 92 which will have “only” 1,350 kg of weight. The 911 GT3 will be equipped with P7 in power.
