Ferrari’s recent defeat at the Monza 6 Hours race has left the team feeling frustrated. The Italian automaker had high hopes of replicating its victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race but believes that the revised Balance of Performance (BoP) system played a significant role in its loss. Despite the disappointment, Ferrari acknowledges that its strategy, pit work, and drivers helped mitigate the impact of the imposed limitations.
The Unmentioned BoP System
In a carefully worded statement released post-race, Ferrari expressed its expectation to compete under similar conditions as the Le Mans race. However, the team refrained from explicitly mentioning the BoP, as it is strictly prohibited by the WEC sporting regulations. The statement emphasized that Ferrari’s performance was affected by an “imposed limitation” on its 499P Le Mans Hypercar. While the team acknowledged the BoP’s influence, it highlighted the importance of its own efforts to counteract it.
Ferrari Denied Media Interaction
In a departure from its usual practice, Ferrari did not provide a representative from its Hypercar team to address the media at Monza. This decision suggests the team’s discontent with the circumstances surrounding the race. Ferrari strongly believes that it did not receive a fair opportunity to compete at Monza due to the recent BoP changes, which will remain in effect for the remainder of the season.
BoP Changes and Ferrari’s Performance
Ahead of the Monza race, the BoP system underwent revisions specific to the Italian circuit. Ferrari’s 499P experienced a 5kg increase in minimum weight, along with a 16kW power reduction tailored to the demands of the historic track. These adjustments were part of the new BoP framework introduced for the current season. It should be noted that the changes made prior to the Le Mans race, which affected Toyota’s performance, were implemented outside of the established system.
Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco qualified remarkably close to Kamui Kobayashi’s pole-winning Toyota GR010 HYBRID at Monza, demonstrating the team’s competitiveness. The margin between Fuoco and Kobayashi in terms of the fastest race lap was a mere six hundredths of a second. Despite finishing just 16 seconds behind the race-winning Toyota, Ferrari’s performance was overshadowed by the significant lead that Toyota built during a safety car period in the fifth hour.
Toyota’s Advantage in Tire Management
Pascal Vasselon, the technical director of Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, attributed his team’s victory to superior tire management. According to Vasselon, the Toyota GR010 HYBRID excelled during the second stint of the race, demonstrating impressive tire preservation. The team opted for a strategic tire selection, starting with the hard-compound Michelin and switching to the medium for the final stint. In contrast, Ferrari used a combination of medium and hard tires throughout the race, adopting different approaches for each corner or side of the car.
Conclusion
Ferrari’s disappointment at the Monza 6 Hours race stems from the perceived disadvantage caused by the revised BoP system. Despite the limitations imposed on its 499P Hypercar, the team relied on its strategy, pit work, and drivers to remain competitive. While Ferrari acknowledges the influence of the BoP, it focuses on its own efforts to mitigate its impact. The team’s discontent was evident in its decision to forgo media interaction after the race, indicating a belief that it was not given a fair chance to compete. Moving forward, Ferrari will need to adapt to the BoP changes and find innovative ways to remain competitive in the remainder of the season.
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