8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN BOP

The FIA and ACO have set the new balance of performance for the season's final round in Bahrain, introducing key adjustments for the title contenders: Ferrari, Toyota, and Porsche. The Ferrari 499P has received an additional weight reduction following the Austin and Fuji rounds, now at 1053 kg—two kilograms less than in Japan. Its power has been increased by 10 kW, bringing it to 510 kW, while a slight performance decrease of 0.9% over 250 km/h has been applied.

Toyota’s GR010 has seen a weight reduction of 5 kg, now totaling 1065 kg, still making it the heaviest car on the track. The power has been raised by 6 kW, bringing it to 499 kW, with a 4.2% increase in performance above 250 km/h, slightly lower than in the Fuji round.

Porsche, on the other hand, has experienced a weight increase of 7 kg, bringing the 963 up to 1056 kg. Its power has been boosted by 2 kW, totaling 514 kW. Regarding fuel usage, both Ferrari and Porsche have had slight increases to their "virtual fuel tank," now set at 905 MJ for Ferrari and 911 MJ for Porsche per stint, while Toyota remains at 908 MJ.

Other teams saw less significant changes. Peugeot has gradually restored its 9X8 model to its original minimum weight and maximum power, though the design still faces some challenges. Alpine, fresh off its first podium of the season, had a weight increase of 4 kg, while Lamborghini’s power was reduced by 5 kW.

Looking at the season's evolution, Ferrari has gained a significant edge over Toyota, moving from a close weight comparison to becoming noticeably lighter and more powerful, even outperforming Porsche in minimum weight. This confirms the 499P’s strength on low-drag tracks with minimal tire wear, though it remains less competitive on more traditional circuits.

Porsche has shown consistent growth from the season’s start: in Bahrain in 2023, Ferrari weighed in at 1075 kg, Toyota at 1080 kg, and Porsche at just 1046 kg. Now, the German 963 requires more weight than the 499P to maintain performance parity, marking a significant achievement for Porsche and Penske.

As for predictions, Ferrari appears poised to excel in qualifying, followed by Toyota and likely BMW and Porsche. However, in the race, managing heat and tire degradation—key factors in 2023—will be crucial. Toyota seems to be the top contender for victory, with Porsche potentially providing strong competition. Alpine is expected to remain consistently competitive in the race, while BMW may struggle more with tire wear than it did at Fuji.

© Simone Marchetti