WEC HEADS TO TEXAS: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE 6 HOURS OF COTA
As the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship enters its final stretch, the series heads stateside for the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday, September 7. With just three rounds remaining, championship contenders are tightening their grip, as recent Balance of Performance (BoP) changes promise to further shake the competitive order in Austin, Texas.
Championships Heating Up
In the Hypercar manufacturers’ championship, Ferrari AF Corse continues to lead the way, but their margin has slimmed, particularly in the drivers’ standings. The #51 Ferrari 499P of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi still tops the board with 105 points, but their lead is under serious threat. Close behind, the #83 AF Corse privateer entry, driven by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Hanson, has closed the gap after a strong run of recent results, winning the 24H of Le Mans, and Cadillac’s Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn are resurgent following a powerful 1-2 team finish in São Paulo.
With Ferrari faltering in Brazil and Cadillac seizing the opportunity, COTA could be a make-or-break moment for several title hopefuls.
BoP: The Invisible Hand of Performance
Balance of Performance has once again become a key storyline ahead of this round. Ferrari was hit hard at the previous race in São Paulo, receiving one of the season’s most punishing BoP adjustments, gaining over 16 kg in weight and suffering reduced power below 250 km/h. It significantly hampered their pace and opened the door for rivals like Cadillac and Porsche.
This season, WEC introduced a reworked BoP formula that focuses on “100% convergence” between manufacturers. Instead of the old performance window system, the new format uses the fastest 10 laps and 60% of top laps from the last two races (out of three) to shape the performance weights and power curves. The idea is to ensure tighter competition, but in practice, it’s created dramatic swings in competitiveness, especially for Ferrari and Toyota, who have found themselves handcuffed just as their rivals have surged.
At COTA, all eyes will be on the FIA’s latest BoP decision, will Ferrari rebound? Will Cadillac continue their upward trajectory? Or could this be the race where Porsche or Toyota sneaks back into contention?
Alpine is set with 1052 kg with -6 kW and -4.5% above 250 kph. Aston Martin stays at 1030 kg and 520 kW with no change. BMW drops to 1056 kg, -8 kW but +1% over 250 kph. Cadillac is heavier at 1069 kg, -5 kW and -4.8%. Ferrari stays 1069 kg, 480 kW, with +0.8%. Peugeot is 1030 kg, 520 kW, with -3.8%. Porsche rises to 1065 kg, -13 kW but +2.9%. Toyota remains 1069 kg, 484 kW, with the biggest gain at +7.4%.
GT Class Spotlight: LMGT3 Takes the Stage
The new-for-2025 LMGT3 class has proven to be a massive success, offering close battles, mixed strategies, and real unpredictability. While the Hypercars get the headlines, it’s often the LMGT3 field that delivers the most wheel-to-wheel action.
Leading the pack is MANTHEY 1ST PHORM, with Riccardo Pera, Richard Lietz, and Ryan Hardwick consistently delivering podiums and now leading the class championship. Vista AF Corse, meanwhile, remains in striking distance with Alessio Rovers, François Hériau, Simon Mann while TF Sports Corvette #33 and AKKODIS ASP Team #87 continue to pose a threat in both performance and racecraft.
With tight BoP regulation across the GT field, COTA’s layout, especially its mix of high-speed straights and technical sectors, could play into the hands of teams with stable aero and tire longevity. Expect GT cars to feature heavily in traffic management, especially during twilight stints when pace differentials widen.
Porsche gets the highest power gain after 200 km/h at +9.2% and the highest minimum rear wing angle at 10.8°. Mercedes receives the highest maximum stint energy at 708 MJ, while Aston Martin has the lowest at 670 MJ. Lexus and Ford see reductions in power gain above 200 km/h, which may impact high-speed performance. BMW benefits from the lowest rear wing angle at 3.3°, aiding in lower drag.
GT3 cars carry success handicaps that adjust their minimum weight. Racing Spirit of Leman has a handicap of 6 kg, bringing its weight to 1350 kg. Vista AF Corse car #21 carries one of the heaviest penalties, with a combined 24 kg handicap that lifts it to 1378 kg, the heaviest in the field. The Heart of Racing Team remains unchanged at 1344 kg, same as Team WRT at 1332 kg, Team WRT car #46 also at 1332 kg, Vista AF Corse car #54 at 1354 kg, both United Autosports entries at 1339 kg, Iron Lynx at 1333 kg, Iron Dames at 1332 kg, Proton Competition car #77 at 1344 kg, Akkodis ASP Team car #78 at 1354 kg, and Proton Competition car #92 at 1334 kg.
TF Sport car #33 carries a 6 kg increase to 1341 kg, while its sister car #82 has 18 kg added, raising it to 1350 kg. Akkodis ASP Team car #87 is given a 12 kg handicap for a final weight of 1372 kg. The heaviest success ballast overall is Manthey 1st Phorm with 36 kg added, bringing its total to 1368 kg.
Technical, Demanding, and Unforgiving
The Circuit of the Americas offers a mix of long straights, sweeping corners, and punishing elevation changes. It’s a true endurance test for drivers and machinery alike. From the iconic climb into Turn 1 to the fast and flowing esses, COTA rewards precision and punishes the slightest misstep.
Tire wear is typically high, and traffic management will be a constant factor with multi-class competition. Teams that can balance outright speed with strategic consistency are likely to come out ahead.
Weather Watch: Heat and Storms Incoming
The Austin weather forecast promises a hot and humid race weekend. Temperatures are expected to climb to 38°C (101°F) on Friday, with a slight cooldown to 32–34°C (90–93°F) over the weekend. However, Saturday and Sunday both carry a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, which could dramatically alter race conditions. Sudden downpours and high humidity could throw curveballs into tire strategy and visibility.
Cooling systems, brake management, and pit stop timing may become deciding factors if storms roll in mid-race.
What’s at Stake?
With only three rounds left in the 2025 season, every point counts. Ferrari can’t afford another compromised race if they hope to defend their titles, while Cadillac is eager to capitalize on their recent momentum. Privateer entries like the #83 AF Corse could even find themselves in the championship conversation if form holds.
Meanwhile, in LMGT3, Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette are in a three-way fight that’s just as tight, with driver consistency and pit execution playing as much of a role as raw speed.
The BoP system looms large, shaping not just who wins, but who gets the chance to compete. COTA is fast, physical, and unpredictable. In the blazing Texas heat, this race could flip the script on everything we thought we knew about the 2025 WEC pecking order.
Share this content:
