Photo: FIA WEC

The second round of the automatic Balance of Performance adjustments has been announced by the ACO. The new computer based system generates the BoP table on a race by race basis using an algorithm that was agreed upon by all the manufacturers.

The system was introduced after continued gamesmanship of the BoP system by the teams and manufacturers, and the fans dislike of the constantly shifting goal posts deciding the results of races. The result of the first automatic BoP was somewhat iffy at the Nurburgring, with Ferrari and Porsche battling for the lead, and Ford and Aston Martin left to fight over whatever was remaining.

We hope one day we can stop reporting the BoP changes, but until the automatic BoP system proves it can do the job in a consistent and reliable way, we will continue to post the numbers for you all.

An interesting note is that the automatic BoP does make adjustments to the Ferrari 488. When the BoP changes were calculated manually, the Ferrari was used as the baseline car and received very little, if any, adjustments.

» Porsche 911 RSR – 2kg weight break, 0.1mm larger air restrictor

» Aston Martin V8 Vantage – 2kg weight break, 0.1mm larger air restrictor

» Ford GT – 2kg weight break, equivalent to 0.1mm larger air restrictor in boost pressure

» Ferrari 488 – 5kg weight increase, decrease in boost

Despite running significantly stronger than the Aston Martin and Ford, that the Porsche also received an equivalent boost in performance. Does the computer know something we don’t? It will be interesting to see if the altitude of Mexico City plays havoc with the BoP algorithm.

In GTE-Am, the only adjustment was a 15kg increase to the weight of the Ferrari 488. The GTE-Am class is not part of the automated BoP system and is still done manually.

Engineering student, lover of all things technical and lifelong motorsport fan. Employed in the Oil & Gas Industry, developing Major Emergency Management simulations. Owner of the best beard on the site.