Mercedes-AMG Heaviest Hit in Pre-Race Suzuka BoP

Photo: Gruppe C Photography/SRO

The Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo has been the heaviest car hit in wide-ranging Balance of Performance adjustments ahead of this afternoon’s Suzuka 1000km.

Confirmed in an updated BoP table distributed by SRO Motorsports Group, the Mercedes-AMG has been handed with a 20 kg increase in minimum weight.

There have been 10 kg increases for the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo and pole-sitting Ford Mustang GT3 EVO as well.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which has generally struggled so far this weekend, has been given a 5 kg weight break, while the Lexus RC F GT3 gets a significant 15 kg weight reduction.

There have been no power adjustments for any of the GT3 cars set to take part in the 50th edition of the Japanese enduro.

The No. 77 Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes-AMG of Kaku Ohta, Maxime Martin and Luca Stolz produced the fastest three-driver average in qualifying (1:58.696) and cleared the competition by nearly six-tenths of a second.

However, the car was found to have been 2.5 kg underweight in post-qualifying scrutineering and has been moved to the back of the starting field.

It was already set to face a three-position grid penalty due to Ohta having been caught speeding during a red flag in Friday’s night practice session.

The No. 64 Miedecke Motorsport by Team MPC Ford Mustang GT3 EVO will lead the field to the green, marking the first-ever pole position for Ford in IGTC competition.

Source: Sports Car 365