Ferrari WEC boss comments: “With secret BoP, part of the story is missing”

– Ferrari warns that the decision to keep the Balance of Performance data in the 2026 World Endurance Championship secret will destroy an essential element of the “race narrative”.

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Addressing the controversial decision by FIA and ACO to withhold BoP data from the public, Antonello Coletta, head of the Endurance and Corse Clienti departments, said on the sidelines of the 6 Hours of Imola:

“As you know, we are not allowed to discuss the BoP topic, but I prefer to speak honestly: There is a rule, and rules must be respected. It is clear that we all want to know more and more about the background of the competition. Unfortunately, this is an aspect that will be missing in the [race] narrative.”

Earlier this week, it was announced that the WEC will no longer publish BoP tables from 2026 onwards. All information will remain private between the teams and the racing series. Previously, the championship published detailed tables before each race showing the exact weight and performance values of each hypercar.

BoP is naturally a contentious topic – especially since the series has to balance cars from two different regulations (LMDh and LMH). According to sporting regulations, teams, manufacturers, and drivers were already prohibited from publicly commenting on the BoP.

Ferrari’s prospects: “Results don’t come out of nowhere”

As the reigning world champion, Ferrari is under high pressure on home ground. There is still much to learn about the revised 499P, including the new Michelin tires. These factors prompt Coletta to urge calm, although he remains convinced of the strength of the Maranello team.

“We are very proud to start the fourth season as reigning champions and after the best season in Ferrari’s history. We didn’t have all these titles before that we have today; it is a privilege, and we know that Ferrari is obliged to win.”

“It is up to us to do everything possible to make that happen. Results don’t come out of nowhere but through a methodically built structure and the work of each individual. We worked hard; by the end of 2024, we understood how to optimally use the tires, and 2025 we started brilliantly.”

“Today I don’t know if we are the favorites. We are starting again from zero because all cars have been newly homologated. We don’t yet know the performance level of the field and must maintain respect for the competition. We start again with our heads down and have the duty to deliver well.”

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“Wearing the world champion badges is an enormous pride for all of us. When we look at what the other manufacturers say, most revolve around wanting to beat Ferrari. I think that is the best answer to what we achieve.”

Ferrari does not trust prologue superiority

Although Ferrari dominated the prologue test, these times should be taken with caution, as many other cars have surely held back their true performance.

“The sessions took place under changing conditions and everyone did their own tests. We are pleased to be at the front, but if you look at the sector times, it is obvious that some teams have well hidden their true pace.”

“We know that the result on Sunday evening counts, so comments on lap times will be made later. I am sure it will not be easy to stay in the top 3. Some competitors will be extremely fast in both qualifying and the race, but it is part of the game to disguise oneself more or less well.”

“We need to understand the new tires to bring them up to temperature and manage them optimally for as long as possible over each stint. A few more tests would have done us good, but that doesn’t mean we complain. We have to be determined and quick to adapt them to the car.”

Finally, Coletta emphasizes that the responsibility as defending champion is even greater: “We have to try to stay where we have arrived. It is damn hard to win, and it is even harder to repeat it.”

“We have to keep both feet on the ground every day and work focused because you never stop learning. That applies to me and all my colleagues. However, it is better to have the problem of having to keep winning than the problem of not making it. We start in front of our audience with pressure that we have to manage instead of bowing to it.”

“We know the responsibility of representing one of the most important brands in the world, and in front of so many people rooting for us, we have to get up on the right foot and must not disappoint them.”

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