6H SPA: BOP ANALYSIS

FIA and ACO have released the latest Balance of Performance ahead of the 6 Hours of Spa, the third round of the World Endurance Championship taking place this weekend. With the exception of Aston Martin and Peugeot, all other hypercars will carry extra weight compared to the last race at Imola.

Ferrari is among the hardest hit, with a 12 kg increase bringing the 499P up to 1057 kg. BMW follows with +7 kg, Toyota with +4, Porsche with +2, and both Alpine and Cadillac add just 1 kg. On the other end of the spectrum, Aston Martin’s Valkyrie LMH finally benefits from a major weight break, dropping to 1035 kg.

There’s also a notable reduction in available power below 250 km/h. Toyota will have 480 kW in that range, Ferrari 489, Porsche 494, BMW 503, and Cadillac 501. Peugeot remains at 520 kW, now matched by Alpine and Aston Martin.

What stands out in this edition is FIA and ACO’s revised approach: instead of across-the-board changes, they’ve significantly reduced power at lower speeds while increasing the power gain above 250 km/h. Toyota, for example, will benefit from an 8.3% boost at high speeds.

For those worried about Ferrari being handicapped, it’s worth taking a step back. The current BoP is not drastically different from last year’s at Spa. In 2024, Ferrari and Toyota received the same post-Imola weight increase. However, back then, the GR010 had 9 kW more than the 499P — and the high-speed power gain system wasn’t yet in play.

Porsche faces a similar scenario: they’re carrying 18 kg more than they did last year, just like at Imola. That likely points to another race spent on the defensive — the same goes for Toyota.

Ferrari, on the other hand, has another golden opportunity. The 499Ps have historically performed well at Spa, and generally thrive on fast, flowing tracks where aerodynamic efficiency plays a key role.

Cadillac could also be one to watch, though the extra 12 kg compared to 2024 may be a factor. And keep an eye on Alpine — they may well emerge as the second-fastest team on the grid.

© Simone Marchetti Cavalieri

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