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Although both Hartley (qualifying) and Fuoco (race) crashed at Spa on cold tyres the Ferrari’s were consistently top of max speed figures (good set up for LM) and really struggled to get heat into slicks and both went over a lap down after that (even on 8 that started at back).
Ferrari had best lap speed for most of second half of race and did come back string for a third. Ferrari protested most about lack of tyre warmers (and Toyota moaned most about change for LM).
The additional ballast that Toyota (1,2 at Spa) got over Ferrari (3rd and second most ballast) for LM 2023 (not performance or results related at all?) is the reason Toyota felt they lost LM (even though Ferrari once up to speed had the faster cars at Spa).
A technological solution like solar panels on big team trucks and some battery storage would justify the tyre warmers surely better over a few seasons? Not worth one serious driver injury at Spa plus the footprint of replacement parts and transport of chassis etc. But I can see the appeal of cold tyres to people who drive overweight EVs made in China with power from new coal power stations! The big speed and lap time differences make the events look bad especially in qualifying- although the LMP2 tyres this year were better).
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