Noodleguitar
Moderator
Some interesting updates. 15 kilograms for the Audi is a lot. Normally they buff/nerf in increments of 5 kg which is already noticeable.Alex Gustafson (iRacing staff) said:- This is the final GT3 BoP before the start of the 2018 GT3 WCS. Please be aware that, unlike past seasons, we will monitor performance as the season progresses, and will make further, in-season BoP adjustments if necessary.
Audi R8 LMS GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: Small adjustment to fuel economy, +15 kg, baseline setup has been updated to pass Tech with a greater margin of success.
BMW Z4 GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: Rear wing sensitivity has been modified. As wing angles are reduced below 4 degrees, the car loses less drag, more downforce, and the center of pressure moves further forward (providing greater oversteer). Baseline setup has been modified to suit this change. The fuel consumption rate has been increased.
Ferrari 488 GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: Aerodynamic center of pressure has shifted rearward 25 mm. Fuel consumption has been adjusted slightly.
Ford GT GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: No updates.
McLaren MP4-12C GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: +5 kg, and fuel consumption has been adjusted slightly.
Mercedes-AMG GT3
- Preliminary 2018 Season 2 BoP Update: +2.5% aero downforce, and fuel consumption has been adjusted slightly.
It looks like they made the BMW a bit too good in the previous update. Now you give up a lot of safety while running low wing but you get less speed back. It seems they want to keep the car good at high-downforce cornering.
What I'm understanding from the Ferrari change is that the aerodynamics now push the car down more in the rear, making it more stable and possibly more understeering. Doesn't mean you cannot counter this with increased rake.
Whether the McLaren change made it the underdog again I don't know, I didn't look at it between the two BoPs.
The speed of the Mercedes has not been increased, except it gained a little cornering speed it seems. But with the changes to the other cars it could be evenly matched now.
And the Ford... they probably forgot about it, and I don't blame them.