The Le Mans test days, once crucial for competitor evaluation, have transformed into final rehearsals. The recent sessions, held one week before the race, primarily serve teams for preparation. In 2021, the hypercar category employed a Balance of Performance (BOP) system, causing teams to mask their true speeds to avoid adjustments. Although minor BOP adjustments were released recently, they didn’t significantly affect balance.
On the track, faster lap times were noted due to a resurfacing and increased car power. Brendon Hartley from Toyota clocked the fastest time at 3m26.246s, outpacing last year’s test day and 2024 race times. Analysis revealed Ferrari and Toyota leading, with close competition among several manufacturers, while Aston Martin and Peugeot faced challenges.
Porsche expressed satisfaction with their performance, indicating improvements since last year, despite room for growth. Cadillac acknowledged limited running due to incidents. BMW showed promise, though faced setbacks. Alpine’s Mick Schumacher achieved a strong fourth overall time, highlighting effective teamwork despite some struggles.
As teams gear up for the Hyperpole battle, predicting the competitive landscape is difficult, especially with changing weather conditions expected.
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