Why was Porsche so far behind Ferrari in Qatar?
As the second round of the Endurance World Championship approaches, Porsche will be keen to put things right after its disappointing performance in Qatar. But why was the German team so far behind?
An underwhelming performance that surprised more than a few. In Qatar, the Porsches were far off the pace while the Ferraris dominated the competition. A surprising outcome, especially considering how fast the Porsche 963 was last season — including in Qatar, where it took victory.
So how can this be explained? A closer look at the Balance of Performance (BoP) reveals some major changes. Comparing the 2024 and 2025 data, the differences are striking. The Stuttgart manufacturer had to add 16 kilograms to its Hypercar, but gained only 3 kW of power below 210 km/h. Even though the 963 was allowed a bit more electric energy, the gap compared to last year’s edition remains significant.
On the other hand, Ferrari was clearly in a favorable position. The 499P lost weight compared to 2024, going from 1,075 kg down to 1,037 kg. It only lost 2 kW of power and very little electric output. So, a large part of the issue lies in the BoP.
As a reminder, Porsche dominated the previous season. Whether in IMSA or WEC, the German manufacturer scooped up nearly everything. Only the WEC constructors’ title escaped them — with Toyota retaining its crown. So in an effort to level the playing field, adjustments had to be made through the infamous BoP. Except this time, it may have gone too far. On one side, a Hypercar soaring above the rest, and on the other, a car that has been significantly slowed down.
It’s difficult to blame another factor. Even if the cars have undergone some tweaks between 2024 and 2025, they couldn’t have evolved drastically due to regulation constraints. Weather conditions, tire degradation, and management could have had an effect — but not to this extent.
« Last year, we finished with three Porsche 963s on the podium in Qatar, but the situation has changed. We weren’t flawless, but the team and drivers did a good job. Nevertheless, the result is disappointing, » said Urs Kuratle, Director of Porsche Factory Motorsport LMDh.
In qualifying, the #6 Porsche — used here as a benchmark — was nearly four-tenths of a second slower per lap. Meanwhile, the #50 Ferrari, which won the race, improved by 1.3 seconds. A massive gap.
