#Le Mans-style Balance of Performance system would “ruin” Formula 1 – Wolff | 2023 F1 season

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Le Mans-style Balance of Performance system would ruin Formula 1 Wolff | 2023 F1 season

Formula 1 must not emulate the World Endurance Championship by introducing a ‘Balance of Performance’ system despite Red Bull’s current domination, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said. Red Bull have been undefeated since the season began and are on course to repeat last year’s championship double by an even more emphatic margin. However Wolff does not want to see Red Bull being reined in by a ‘Balance of Performance” system similar to that used by the World Endurance Championship and other series to create closer racing. “I think if we start to put in a balance of performance we’ll ruin this sport,” said Wolff in Monaco. “This is a meritocracy. Best driver and best car spending the same amount of money wins the championship. And if you break the rules in either you should be heavily penalised, but only then, not for a good job.” Report: Ferrari clinch historic victory on return to Le Mans after Toyota duel “Formula 1 is a meritocracy and they’ve just done a good job,” Wolff added. “The car is fast in all conditions, the driver is at the top of his game.” WEC introduced Balance of Performance regulations for its top class when the LMP1 regulations were replaced by the current Hypercar rules in 2021. The WEC Committee imposes different performance limits on the teams’ cars based on data gathered from each entry. The most recent changes to the BoP were made 10 days before this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Toyota, which won the opening three WEC rounds, had its minimum mass increased to 1,080 kilograms, 16kg more than closest rival Ferrari. However it was also allowed to consume more energy over the course of a stint – 908 megajoules to Ferrari’s 901. Other teams were allowed to run lighter cars and use more energy. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Ferrari took victory following a race-long fight with Toyota, who dropped back in the final hours after Ryo Hirakawa crashed. The cars crossed the line separated by 81 seconds. WEC’s regulations state “the aim of BoP is to allow cars of different engineering designs to compete in the same category.” “Manufacturers, Competitors, drivers and any persons or entities associated with their entries must not seek to influence the establishment of the BoP or comment on the results, in particular through public statements, the media and social networks,” it adds. Interactive: WEC Balance of Performance before and at Le Mans Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free World Endurance Championship Browse all World Endurance Championship articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/