P1racenews AI automatic summary:
BoP is the main hurdle in Mercedes joining the top class at Le Mans.
Mercedes has no plans to enter a hypercar in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the near future, due to their opposition to the Balance of Performance system in the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class.
The BoP system equalises the speeds of different car types in the series, which can sometimes be controversial but is considered a necessary evil for fair competition.
Mercedes insists on a cost-cap system, similar to Formula 1, rather than BoP, allowing each team to develop the quickest car within a set budget.
Despite the growth in the WEC and IMSA SportsCar Championship, Mercedes remains disinterested in joining unless BoP is replaced with a cost cap.
Although Mercedes has a complex history at Le Mans, including tragic incidents in 1955 and 1999, the brand still respects the event as a prestigious competition, focusing primarily on their successful Formula 1 endeavors.
