Toyota faces new performance restrictions at its home race at Fuji

Toyota Gazoo Racing has received new Balance of Performance (BoP) limitations for the upcoming round of the World Endurance Championship in Fuji. The Japanese manufacturer will see a reduction in the power of its GR010 HYBRID and an increase in minimum weight, which will affect its performance in the penultimate race of the championship.

Power reduction and weight increase

The BoP modifications include an additional 4 kW (5 hp) reduction in the maximum power of the GR010 HYBRID, setting the limit at 493 kW (661 hp). This comes on top of the 9 kW reduction imposed during the previous race in Austin. Additionally, the car will have to run with a minimum weight of 1070 kg, a 5 kg increase compared to the last race, matching the weight assigned in Austin.

This is the highest weight Toyota has had to carry since the season opener in Qatar, where the GR010 ran at 1089 kg and had a power output of 510 kW. On that occasion, the results were not favorable, with fifth and eighth place finishes.

Impact of the new BoP on performance

Despite these restrictions, Toyota will have a small benefit at high speeds. Under the new Power Gain parameter, the GR010 will receive a 0.8% power increase when it exceeds 250 km/h, which could partially offset the loss of performance in other areas of the track.

Ferrari, which won in Austin with its 499P LMH, will maintain its BoP with a slight 0.6% reduction in power above 250 km/h. Meanwhile, Porsche has received a positive adjustment, with a 4 kg weight reduction and a 3 kW power increase after losing momentum in the battle for victory in Austin.

Peugeot has also benefited, with a 7 kg weight reduction for its 9X8 LMH and a 4 kW power increase. The Cadillac V-Series.R, which finished fourth in Austin, will enjoy an additional 2 kW and a 1 kg weight reduction. Both Alpine and BMW have also received power increases, while Lamborghini will race under the same conditions as in Austin.