The Ferrari 499P Le Mans Hypercar has undergone significant changes for the upcoming race at Imola. It will now race at a minimum weight of 1041kg, 34kg lighter than its previous weight. Additionally, the maximum power of the car has been raised by 7kW (9bhp). Similarly, Toyota’s GR010 HYBRID LMH has also received a weight reduction of 29kg and a power increase of 6kW.
All nine models participating in the Hypercar class of the WEC will see improvements in weight and power for the Imola 6 Hours race. With the exception of the Peugeot 9X8 LMH, which has been rehomologated, each car will be lighter and more powerful than during the previous race in Qatar.
The Porsche 963 LMDh and the Alpine A424 LMDh have also undergone significant changes. Porsche’s car has had its minimum weight reduced by 15kg and a power increase of 3kW. On the other hand, the Alpine A424 LMDh has seen a weight reduction of 28kg, indicating a push towards more competitive performance in the upcoming race.
The Peugeot 9X8 LMH has received a major overhaul, racing at 1061kg and 510kW maximum power. The adjustments include a 31kg weight increase from the previous race in Qatar and a decrease in maximum power compared to the original specifications. The changes in the front-axle hybrid system and tire width reflect a strategic shift by the French manufacturer to enhance performance on the track.
The modifications in weight and power across all Hypercars participating in the WEC are likely a response to the unique track characteristics of each circuit. The introduction of the “power gain” component of the Balance of Performance (BoP) has been postponed, with adjustments to be made based on the speeds of the cars above 210km/h (130mph) to ensure a level playing field in terms of acceleration and top speeds.
The evolution of Hypercars in the WEC reflects a continuous drive towards enhancing competitiveness and performance on the track. The adjustments made to weight and power for the upcoming race at Imola showcase the dynamic nature of motorsport and the constant pursuit of excellence in engineering and design.
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