Spa BoP analysed: Ferrari gets big weight increase

And so the FIA World Endurance Championship rolls onto Spa.

Can Ferrari get a third win on the bounce? It's certainly possible, with the team now understanding the 499P to a great depth and with top class drivers in the car.

But, one thing to always remember is WEC's balance of performance is not based on results — it is based on pace. Specifically, pace from the last three rounds of the championship.

That said, with two strong results at Qatar and Imola, Ferrari was always going to get pegged back for Spa. Let's take a look at the weight, power and more of each car for the Belgian race.

Weight

The biggest change in the cars' various weights, relatively speaking, for Spa is certainly the addition of 12kg to Ferrari's 499P. The Italian manufacturer dominated at Qatar and Imola, and has been pegged back by quite a bit for Spa, which should even the playing field out considerably.

Toyota have been given an extra 4kg. They were already the heaviest car so the addition of even more weight may hit them quite hard.

Aston Martin have also had a drop in weight by 16kg. The Valkyrie has struggled for outright pace at both races this year but with more data to play with, the car has had its total weight has decreased dramatically for the Belgian round. It will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes as the British manufacturer continues to learn about this car.

Power (before 250kph)

The 'top three', Porsche, Ferrari, and Toyota, have also seen the car's pre-250kph power reduced for Spa. Toyota sees the biggest change, at 20kW, while Ferrari gets a 19kW reduction. Porsche sees a reduction of 9kW meanwhile.

Aston Martin once again gets the largest weight increase, 15kW taking the British manufacturer from 505kW to 520kW. Alpine also see an increase of 1kW, which should sit nicely with the weight decrease.

Power (after 250kph)

The majority of cars here are seeing a power increase after they hit 520kW. Ferrari will go from 489kW, pre-250kW, to 507kW — the largest increase.

Cadillac and Toyota will continue to have the most power after that 250kph threshold, with Toyota on 519.84kW and Cadillac on 520.038.

While the Alpine is among the most powerful pre-250kph cars, it is by far the least powerful after it passes 250kph. On the long run, initially downhill from La Source then up Eau Rouge and Raidillon to the uphill Kemmel Straight, this may see the Alpine struggle to make overtakes. But the low(ish) weight should help it in the twistier sector 2, and in sector 3 as well.

Energy per stint

Finally before we get to the power-to-weight ratios, is energy per stint. As you can see the energy for the Valkyrie is hugely increased here, from 900MJ to 908MJ. As this is the Valkyrie's debut season we have no data to compare it against, but it could mean we see the car going quite long on a virtual energy tank.

The Ferrari has by far the least energy per stint to use, on 897MJ — the only car below 900MJ for this race. Toyota and Porsche have 905MJ, so quite a bit more than the Italian manufacturer.

Power-to-weight ratios

Finally we come to power to weight, which gives us a better look at the changes in relative terms. Toyota continue to have by far the lowest pre-250kph power to weight, although Ferrari have dropped below Porsche in this measure too.

Aston's Valkyrie now has the second highest power to weight, which could see them jump up the field at Spa. But, with the Peugeot having by far the most power to weight all season, despite a lack of genuine success for the 9X8, power to weight is not everything.

And while the Alpine power increase/weight decrease may look good on paper, in fact it's not actually that large a change in power to weight terms. But, with Cadillac, BMW, Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche's all dropping, we could see the Alpine move up the field at Spa.

That said, at a fast track like Spa, the Cadillac has a hugely powerful post-250kph power to weight. They were successful last year at Spa until Earl Bamber's crash – could we see the JOTA-run team fight at the sharp end this year?

Finally, Aston Martin have the second highest pre-250kph power to weight, and the second highest measure for post 250kph as well. While this may end up being meaningless, it could help them male overtakes and jump up through the field.

Feature image: DPPI / WEC

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