Aleen Brown
Ferrari and BMW face a setback as they lose all their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup manufacturer’s points from the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the GTD PRO and GTD classes. The reason? Both automakers were found to have exceeded IMSA’s performance expectations.
This includes wiping out Ferrari’s GTD PRO victory points (courtesy of Risi Competizione) and third-place points for BMW (represented by Paul Miller Racing). Even Ferrari’s best finish of second place in GTD with AF Corse is affected. This development highlights a performance issue, prompting the nullification of hard-earned points from the prestigious Daytona event.
Ferrari faces penalties as IMSA’s Technical Committee and supervisory officials found their performance at the Daytona 24-hour race went beyond expectations. IMSA aimed to maintain competitive equivalency by ensuring each manufacturer’s car model performed within a specified performance range. This determination led to the nullification of Ferrari’s points. The situation is mirrored for BMW, with a similar notice indicating their performance exceeded agreed-upon expectations, resulting in the loss of points from the Daytona event. Both automakers find themselves penalized due to a deviation from the established performance guidelines set by IMSA.
IMSA introduced updated GTD Balance of Performance (BoP) procedures for this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Each manufacturer selected a team and driver to conduct tests during the IMSA homologation test in December. The tests included a qualifying simulation and a full-stint simulation to fine-tune the BoP tables. Using the data from these tests, IMSA initially set the BoP tables for the Roar Before the 24, with further adjustments made ahead of the race weekend. The goal was to enhance accuracy in the BoP system, ensuring fair competition by aligning each car’s performance with the established benchmarks.
In the previous year, teams running various new cars, such as the BMW M4 GT3, Ferrari 296 GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 R (992 generation), and Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, faced challenges securing victories. However, in the 2024 season, their fortunes took a significant turn for the better. Notably, Risi Competizione achieved success in the GTD PRO category, securing victory with a lineup featuring Daniel Serra, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon, and James Calado. This turnaround showcases the resilience and improvements these teams made, bouncing back to claim success on the race track.
The sanctions imposed on the manufacturers, accompanied by a $25,000 fine, won’t impact the standings of drivers or teams. The individual performances and points earned by the drivers and teams will remain unaffected despite the penalties levied on the manufacturers. This ensures that the consequences are limited to the entities responsible for the technical deviations, preserving the achievements of the drivers and teams in the competition.
Sierra Sesay