This year’s FIA GT World Cup, scheduled during the storied Macau Grand Prix, is set to introduce a significant change: mandatory torque sensors. These devices are critical for monitoring powertrain parameters on the track and are now a requirement for the event’s eighth installment.
Torque sensors are prized for their precision in power measurement, allowing the FIA to maintain tight control over power outputs, ensuring no car surpasses the Balance of Performance (BoP) limits. This helps negate any discrepancies caused by environmental variables like atmospheric conditions. Typically fitted on car driveshafts, these sensors accurately gauge power at the wheels, a crucial part of the BoP process for each GT3 model participating in the race. This new regulation follows discussions with manufacturers involved in the GT3 Technical Working Group.
The FIA has gained considerable expertise with torque sensors, having previously mandated them in the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories of the FIA World Endurance Championship, as well as in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship’s Ultimate class.
Bringing in torque sensors marks the second major rule change for the FIA GT World Cup in 2025, following the World Motor Sport Council’s recent approval of a new Super Pole qualifying format.
The upcoming eighth edition of the FIA GT World Cup is slated for November 13-16, coinciding with the 72nd Macau Grand Prix.
Lutz Leif Linden, Chairman of the FIA GT Commission, expressed his enthusiasm about the implementation of torque sensors: “This decision, made in collaboration with manufacturers, means we can ensure fair play and finer control of BoP values. This is especially crucial in a prestigious and demanding setting like Macau, which features a mix of high-speed straights and challenging narrow turns. Given the competitive nature of last year’s entries, the new qualifying format and torque sensor use represent significant advancements as the FIA GT World Cup continues to progress.”
Fabrice van Ertvelde, FIA Technical Circuit Sport Manager, added, “In competitions where Balance of Performance is key, our primary aim is to level the playing field. Torque sensors are an excellent tool for achieving consistent performance across diverse cars by aligning parameters like power and top speed. These factors are essential on dynamic tracks such as the Guia Circuit. Many manufacturers competing in Macau are already familiar with torque sensors from the LMGT3 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and this change was a result of productive dialogue with them.”
