The ACO has taken the unparalleled decision to adjust the GTE Pro balance of performance ahead of Saturday’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The decision comes after the Ford GTs and Ferrari 488s dominated qualifying, locking out the top seven positions on the grid. The next-fastest car was the eighth-placed #92 Porsche Motorsport 911 RSR, over 3.5 second behind.
Under the changes the Ferrari will have to run at a 15kg heavier minimum weight, while the Fords have also been given a weight increase of 10kg. Corvette and Aston Martin, meanwhile, see their performance increased with larger air restrictors to increase engine performance.
Spectacular times by the Chip Ganassi Ford GTs and AF Corse and Risi Competizione Ferraris had fuelled rumours that the ACO would adjust the balance of performance formula, as the option is provided for in the technical regulations. However, post-qualifying adjustments are highly unusual and the teams have just a single 45-minute warm-up session on Saturday morning to come to terms with the new set-ups.
Source: Sportscar365
Image (c) WEC-Magazin (Walter Schruff)