Toyota and Ferrari given BoP break for WEC Bahrain finale

Ferrari and Toyota have been granted double Balance of Performance adjustments ahead of the upcoming World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain in an attempt to catch up to points leader Porsche.

Both the Ferrari 499P and the Toyota GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercars will enter the Bahrain 8 Hours race with reduced weight and increased power compared to their last outing at Fuji in the WEC last month. 

Meanwhile, Porsche, currently leading in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings, will face an increase in weight based on the latest Hypercar class BoP adjustments, following their victory in Japan that put them 35 points ahead in the championship.

Despite this, the Porsche 963 LMDh will receive a boost in power for the eighth round of the series as they aim to maintain their 10-point lead in the manufacturers’ standings.

The Ferrari and Toyota will see reductions in minimum weight by 2 and 5 kilograms respectively, along with increases in their baseline maximum power figures by 10 and 6 kW, equivalent to 13 and 8 bhp. 

With the Ferrari now weighing at 1053kg and the Toyota at 1065kg, their power maximums under 250km/h (155mph) are 510 and 499kW (683 and 669bhp) respectively.

Both manufacturers have experienced changes in their Power Gain figures, a new component of the BoP introduced earlier in the year to equalize speeds above 250km/h.

Following the adjustments, Ferrari’s Power Gain has reduced by 0.9% while Toyota’s positive figure has decreased to 4.2%.

#50 Ferrari AF Corse Ferrari 499P: Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

Porsche has had its minimum weight increased by 7kg to 1056kg and power boosted by 2kW to 214kW. Its Power Gain figure remains at 0.2%.

Vanthoor, Estre, and Lotterer only need four points in Bahrain to secure the drivers’ title, regardless of their closest competitors’ performances, with more points up for grabs than in a regular six-hour WEC race. 

Even if the Ferrari crew finishes first and secures pole position, Vanthoor, Estre, and Lotterer can win the title with just an eighth-place finish.

For Toyota drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries, who are two points behind in the championship race, the manufacturer has a 10-point deficit in the manufacturers’ classification.

A victory for Toyota would secure the manufacturers’ title, even if Porsche finishes second and earns the pole position point.

Peugeot’s 9X8 LMH has received another BoP adjustment, allowing it to run at the maximum power of 520kW and weighing only 1kg above the minimum weight of 1030kg.

The Alpine A424 LMDh, which achieved its first WEC podium at Fuji, has seen an increase in minimum weight and a decrease in power.

Track action for the final round of the 2024 WEC at the Bahrain International Circuit starts on Thursday at 12:15 local time with the opening 90-minute free practice session.