FIA sets GTE Nurburgring BoP, Mexico update

The FIA has released the GTE Pro Balance of Performance changes for the 6 Hours of Nürburgring later this month, the first round of the FIA WEC using the new "automated" system.

For the trip to the Eifel Forest, Aston Martin Racing's Vantages have received a 20kg (44 pound) weight break, bringing the total for the chassis down to 1,188kg (2,620 pounds). The two cars will also benefit from a power increase from a 0.1mm larger air restrictor.

It is important to note that this change doesn't reflect the BoP and results at Le Mans – which Aston Martin won – as the event utilized a bespoke system. Instead, it follows the BoP used in the two rounds of the season prior to the twice-around-the-clock race in France.

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Meanwhile, the weight of the two Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK GTs will see their weight increase from 1,253kg (2,760 pounds) to 1,273kg (2,800 pounds). The Ferrari 488 GT3s and Porsche 911 RSRs in the class will race with the same BoP as at Silverstone and Spa, their weight and turbo boost levels unchanged.

The LMGTE Am class – which doesn't use the new BoP system – will see just a single change for the trip to Germany, with the 2016 specification Aston Martin Vantage getting a 0.2mm smaller restrictor.

In addition to the BoP changes, an update to the technical regulations has been made, which means the GTE Pro teams will run their cars in standard spec in Mexico (Sept. 1-3). The Mexico City circuit is at a much higher altitude to the other rounds on the calendar, and therefore forces the drivers and cars deal with the challenges of thinner air.

Last season, for the series' inaugural visit to Mexico City and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, supplementary regulations were issued to improve the cooling of the engines, brakes, transmissions and electrical/electronic devices of the cars.