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Toyota Given Weight Increase, Loses Stint Length Advantage

Toyota TS050 Hybrids face 26 kg weight increase, equalized stint length to non-hybrids…

Photo: MPS Agency

The pair of Toyota TS050 Hybrids have been slowed and have lost its stint length advantage ahead of next weekend’s Six Hours of Fuji, in an unprecedented Equivalence of Technology adjustment handed down by the FIA.

Announced in the release of the Fuji EoT on Friday, the LMP1 hybrid will face a 26 kg weight increase, bringing the car up to a minimum weight of 904 kg for the Japanese round.

It compares to the non-hybrids that remain at 818 kg (normally aspirated) and 833 kg (turbocharged).

Additionally, the Toyotas lose its two-lap per stint advantage over the non-hybrids, with the two platforms now equalized for the first time this season.

It has resulted in an increase allocation of petrol energy and petrol per stint for the non-hybrids, with adjustments also made to the size of the refueling restrictors.

According to the FIA, the change was only made possible with “thanks to the agreement of the LMP1 H competitor” as the technical and sporting regulations prohibit any adjustments to the Toyota for the 2018-19 ‘Super Season’.

Additionally, the regs outlined that LMP1 hybrids would have a one-lap stint length advantage at Le Mans and two laps at all other WEC events.

The changes come amid dominant performances in the opening races of the season from Toyota, although the Japanese manufacturer lost its 1-2 finish in August’s Six Hours of Silverstone due to a technical infraction.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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