WEC introduces new ballast system to compensate for driver weight

The World Endurance Championship has launched a brand new system designed to cut back the benefit of lighter drivers within the collection. 

What is called compensation ballast can be utilized to vehicles throughout the Hypercar and LMGT3 courses from this week’s 2025 season-opener in Qatar.

Its introduction, which has been below dialogue since final yr, follows criticism that the efficiency benefit loved by lighter drivers was not mitigated in any manner. 

A so-called reference weight of 82kg has been set below the brand new guidelines, which diverge barely for qualifying and the race. 

In qualifying, each the opening session and Hyperpole, a driver weighing below stated determine in full racewear, with the HANS gadget and seat insert included, should carry ballast.

For the race, a median weight for the driving crew, each three and two driver line-ups, can be calculated and if below 82kg, ballast must be carried contained in the automotive in a chosen place.

It successfully reintroduces a rule in place within the LMP1 class from 2015 when there was a reference weight of 80kg.

The transfer has been welcomed throughout the WEC paddock within the Hypercar class.

Ferrari driver James Calado, who revealed final yr that he had been hospitalised in his efforts to drop pounds, instructed Motorsport.com: “That is positively the fitting factor to do – it is just proper {that a} world championship has a rule like this. 

“If you’re gifting away 15-20kg or much more, that’s a variety of lap time. It means a heavier driver like me can have the possibility to qualify the automotive, which wasn’t actually the case earlier than.”

Marco Sorensen, who has progressed to the Hypercar ranks with Aston Martin for 2025, expressed an analogous view. 

“It positively ranges the taking part in area, which must be a great factor,” he stated. “We’ve seen up to now that the drivers chosen to qualify have been those who’re on the small aspect. This must be right for a high-profile championship.”

Sebastien Bourdais, who has joined the WEC full time with Jota-Cadillac this yr, was additionally supportive. However he identified that heavier drivers in a line-up will nonetheless be deprived below the brand new rule. 

“The rule is completely legit for qualifying, however the heavier guys are nonetheless going to be giving one thing away to the lightest man within the crew in the course of the races,” he defined. 

“That’s a tough drawback to resolve in endurance racing, however it is a step in the fitting course.”

The FIA and the Car Membership de l’Ouest, which collectively write the foundations for the WEC, have additionally revealed the brand new success handicap system in LMGT3, which replaces the earlier success ballast launched in GTE Am in 2019.

Quite than 15, 10 and 5kg being utilized to the highest three finishers at school, a proportion discount in lap time can be utilized to the automotive’s Steadiness of Efficiency with revisions to a automotive’s minimal weight and/or most energy on the discretion of the FIA and ACO. 

The discount can be 0.24% for a win, 0.16% for a runner-up end and 0.08% for third.