The current system of Balance of Performance (BoP) in endurance racing has sparked a heated debate among manufacturers. In a recent meeting conducted by the FIA and the Automobile Club, changes to the BoP system for 2024 were discussed. While the majority of manufacturers favored maintaining the status quo, there is dissatisfaction with the system as it stands.
Exact details of the proposed changes have not been revealed, as manufacturers are forbidden from discussing the BoP according to the series’ sporting regulations. However, it appears that the intention is to retain certain elements of the current system, such as mitigating the advantages of the four-wheel-drive Le Mans Hypercar hybrids, while abandoning the impossible goal of exactly matching the performance of different cars.
Toyota’s Grievance and the Call for Change
Toyota, one of the prominent manufacturers in endurance racing, experienced disappointment when its GR010 HYBRID LMH was beaten into second place by the Ferrari 499P LMH at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Toyota’s president, Akio Toyoda, expressed frustration and claimed that they had “lost to politics.” His comments referred to changes made to the BoP outside of the system introduced for 2023 prior to the race.
Differing Opinions Among Manufacturers
Opinions among manufacturers are divided regarding changes to the BoP system. Ferrari is believed to be in favor of changes, as it felt disadvantaged compared to its rivals due to an “imposed limitation.” Conversely, Porsche is likely to have been against changes, with head of motorsport Thomas Laudenbach advocating for a more “reactive” BoP system.
At the Fuji WEC round, Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe boss Pascal Vasselon criticized the current BoP system as “unsustainable.” Vasselon argued that it removes performance responsibility from manufacturers and relies on the inevitable inaccuracies of the BoP for race outcomes. He emphasized that a BoP claiming to eliminate the performance gap between cars is unrealistic, and that winning or losing a race should be determined by the manufacturers’ capabilities rather than BoP regulations.
Vasselon suggested that there is an increasing number of supporters for change in the BoP system. He stated that “some others share our view” and that there is “momentum for change.” This implies that the dissatisfaction with the current system is spreading among manufacturers, further fueling the call for a revision of the BoP regulations.
The debate over the BoP system in endurance racing continues to intensify as manufacturers express their dissatisfaction with the current regulations. While some advocate for maintaining the status quo, others argue for significant changes to restore the responsibility for performance to the manufacturers themselves. The ongoing discussions and potential revisions in the BoP system highlight the complex and challenging nature of achieving fairness and competitiveness in the world of endurance racing.
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