The official test of the DTM in Hockenheim threw very few conclusions. The rain present on the German track did not allow the drivers and teams to work with complete freedom, as well as being a limiting factor in AVL testing to define the ‘Balance of Performance’, performance adjustment system between the different GT3 in the category. Although it was not on the scheduled day, the company was finally able to complete its work dynamics to define the first ‘BoP’ of the 2022 season of the DTM. And the truth is they did not make it easy for him.
Although the track conditions were not optimal, the pilots and teams played a clear game of confusion and carried out ‘sandbagging’ practices to hide their performance. In fact, the theoretical fastest lap time calculated by AVL was a 1:37.5, but the fastest records that occurred during the test were a second slower. In the meantime, the best theoretical lap time born from the sum of the best sectors was half a second slower. It follows that all drivers and teams had plenty of room for maneuver and improvement.
In fact, It seems a bit strange that Marius Zug, one of the ‘rookies’ in the championship, was the fastest driver in the test with a 1:38.344. Chrono marked on the first day of testing and that does nothing more than highlight the aforementioned generalized ‘sandbagging’. With everything, AVL has very outlined the ‘BoP’, not least because last year’s performance tuning was brilliant. Mind you, you have to play with the settings to find accommodation for the Porsche 911 GT3 R, the new BMW M4 GT3 and the new versions of the Audi and Lamborghini GT3.
After analyzing the data collected at Hockenheim during the ‘BoP’ tests, AVL is already working on defining the first ‘Balance of Performance’. Although it is true that some adjustment will be made after the Portimao test, the basis of this performance balance system will already be defined by then and AVL will have a defined model for match the level of the six different GT3s that will compete in the DTM in 2022. And it is not being an easy task due to the ‘bluffs’ of all those involved.
To get a proper ‘BoP’, AVL has selected the ten best sectors plus the ten maximum speeds of each driver and manufacturer participant in the tests of the ‘BoP’ instead of looking at the lap times, subject to deception. Tire pressure, car height, aerodynamic configuration and other aspects were analyzed during the AVL test and at times when a car had a good time throughout the test. For example, Ferrari lapped too slow, Porsche is the limiting factor -less powerful car- and the BMW is a difficult ‘item’ to fit.
Source: Motorsport-Total
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Photos: DTM