The FIA and the ACO has released the latest Balance of Performance (BoP) measures for the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercars which sees new power gains and losses above 250 km/h.
The latest BoP figures reveal the specific details on the new two-stage power implementation with Ferrari set to lose 1.7% of their power above 250 km/h at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a noteworthy observation as their 499P has showcased some of the highest top speeds in the field.
Essentially, each Hypercar’s power output will be reduced or increased by a certain percentage after reaching 250 km/h (155 mph), with Hypercar top speeds at Le Mans typically reaching nearly 350 km/h.
Alpine will enter their two A424 LMDh machines with a loss of 7 Kilograms (kg) compared to the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, putting them at 1038 kg whilst their power output has reduced by 6 Kilowatts to 507 kW (689 hp).
They will be set for a 0.90 % power increase when their A424s hit the 250 km/h mark.
Additionally so, BMW WRT will also make their first Hypercar appearance at Le Mans with their two M Hybrid V8s, of which the #20 entrant will be adorned in a unique Art Car livery.
They will have a 1 kg weight increase to 1039 kg, 2 kW lesser total power output which sets them at 508 kW (690 hp) and alike the A424, will have a 0.90% power increase.
Cadillac‘s three V-Series.Rs for Le Mans will run at 6 kg more than their #2 ran at Spa – now at 1036 kg – with a 7 kW power reduction resulting in a 509 kW (692 hp) total output with no further increase or decrease (0%).
After losing out on their chances of victory at the 6 Hours of Spa, Ferrari‘s three 499Ps will run with 10 kg less weight – putting the figure at 1043 kg – as power output has been increased by 2 kW to 508 kW (690 hp), but they will suffer the highest loss out of all manufacturers at a 1.70% power decrease from 250 km/h.
Isotta Fraschini will enter their Tipo 6 Competizione for their first Le Mans in partnership with Duqueine. They will have the second-to-highest weight loss by 12 kg, putting them at 1048 kg.
Meanwhile their total power output will be reduced by 5 kW to 515 kW (700 hp) and they will have a 0.90% increase above 250 km/h, meaning that they are not the most powerful Hypercar anymore as Lamborghini will take that position.
Speaking of the Italian make, returning to Le Mans since their unsuccessful GT1 attempts from 2006 to 2010, their two SC63s (one car from WEC and another from the IMSA Endurance Cup) will run an additional 5kW of power output at 519 kW (705 hp), a 4 kg weight increase to 1039 kg, and a power decrease of 1.60%.
With their updated 9X8 LMH, Peugeot will take on their second Le Mans in the Hypercar class but their first with the new car.
Both LMHs will run 18 kg less weight at 1047 kg, marking this as the highest weight loss in the class.
Furthermore, they will run with the same 508 kW (690 hp) power output figure as from Spa, although they will suffer a 0.70% decrease once hitting 250 km/h.
Porsche Penske are set to join Ferrari AF Corse in running three entrants or three 963 Le Mans Daytona Hypercars in their case.
They gain 5 kg to a figure of 1042 kg and receive a 4 kW power increase to a total 511 kW (694 hp), also joining Cadillac in neither a power increase or decrease (0%) after 250 km/h.
Finally, reigning Hypercar manufacturer champions Toyota GAZOO Racing and their GR010 Hybrids will have 11 kg lesser weight – down to 1053 kg which makes them now the heaviest – as well as 7 kW less power to 508 kW, but do gain 0.90% of power after 250 km/h.
Le Mans action will commence with the Test Day this Sunday 9 June with two 3-hour sessions, one in the morning and the afternoon including a class of 23 Hypercars, which is the highest since the inception of the category in 2021.
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