Preparing the Future of Racing--Morizo Discusses the Night Before Le Mans
In the lead-up to this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments have cast a long shadow over the competition. Toyota, a renowned contender in the race, finds itself at a disadvantage with a 37 kg handicap, announced just 10 days before the race.
Toyota Times had the opportunity to speak with Akio Toyoda, better known as Morizo, on the eve of the race. The conversation centred around the BoP adjustments and their impact on the competition. Morizo expressed his desire for the race to be about genuine sporting competition, rather than motor politics.
Morizo has been a steadfast advocate for a hydrogen society, and racing has played a significant role in changing the common perception of hydrogen from dangerous to promising. Last year, he drove a hydrogen car at a World Rally Championship (WRC) event, and this year's Le Mans is seen as an opportunity to shape the future for the next 100 years.
The slogan "Forever We Race" adopted by the Le Mans website this year symbolises a commitment to keep racing alive in the age of carbon neutrality. For Morizo, the ability to continue racing forever depends on genuine sporting competition.
The BoP system, introduced to maintain competitive balance by regulating car performance parameters, has sparked debate and controversy regarding fairness, transparency, and manufacturer impact, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and similar endurance racing events.
If translated into distance based on last year's qualifying time, the handicap would yield a difference of two laps by the end of 24 hours. Over 380 laps, that one-second handicap would add up to 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
Morizo's interview underscored the importance of stirring emotions in motorsport to keep it engaging for fans. He flew from Japan to join the team heading to Le Mans, demonstrating his commitment to the race. Despite the handicap, Morizo remains focused on competing openly, in front of car-loving fans.
The BoP controversy is not unique to Toyota. In other series such as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), BoP-like systems have provoked protests and criticism. The differing philosophies around BoP across motorsport disciplines continue to fuel debate, with some, like Formula 1, denying the existence of BoP and insisting on equal technical regulations without performance-balancing adjustments.
As the 24 Hours of Le Mans approaches, the focus remains on the race, the competition, and the future of motorsport. Regardless of the BoP adjustments, Morizo and Toyota are ready to take on the challenge, demonstrating their commitment to racing and the hydrogen society they are working to create.
[1] Balance of Performance (BoP) in Motorsport: A Contentious Solution to Competitive Fairness. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.racer.com/racing/balance-of-performance-bop-in-motorsport-a-contentious-solution-to-competitive-fairness/ [2] FIA denies existence of Balance of Performance in Formula 1. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fia-denies-existence-of-balance-of-performance-in-formula-1/5015188/ [3] Audi's Le Mans plans hit by BoP and entry rules. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/audis-le-mans-plans-hit-by-bop-and-entry-rules/4850096/ [4] DTM BoP weight regulations scrapped after team dissent. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/dtm-bop-weight-regulations-scrapped-after-team-dissent/3329736/
Despite the BoP adjustments creating controversy and debate in motorsport, Toyota remains committed to competing fairly in sports-racing events, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a sports-analysis context, the BoP system, aimed at maintaining competitive balance by regulating car performance parameters, continues to be a subject of sports-betting discussions due to its impact on the race outcomes.
