WEC/LeMans???????

[Farmer]

Is there a thread?

Toyota is seriously off pace this year. It's too bad because I thought this was going to be their year after coming so close and having the faster car last year.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

we don't have a le mans thread, unless this is it. le mans/sports cars/other is always welcome in the f1 thread

http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/audi-take-hard-fought-victory-in-belgium_3137.html

The no2 TS040 of Stephane Sarrazin, Alex Wurz and Mike Conway had an early battle with the no9 Audi R18 and eventually finished three laps behind the leaders in fifth. The no1 Toyota of Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi, which had been rebuilt after the accident in free practice, hit problems with a sticking throttle and had to return to the pits several times. The reigning world champions eventually finished 8th, 14 laps down.

5 laps down after 6 hours of spa...4x the time and double the lap length makes 10 laps down at le mans. ouch. of course, there are so many variables that anything goes.

 

[_Rick_]

As Le Mans showed last year, it's rarely the fastest car that wins. So, while they may be slightly off the pace, if they can address reliability until June, and get their drivers sorted (Tandy threw away the race for Porsche yesterday) then they're not out of that race yet. As for the championsthat's going to Germany, unless something crazy happens. Audi is ahead, but Porsche still in the running, having the fastest car and all.
Also, yesterday really wasn't Bruni/Vilander's day. That one minute penalty at the end really did them in. I'm expecting great things from them come Le Mans.

 

[Skurge]

As Le Mans showed last year, it's rarely the fastest car that wins. So, while they may be slightly off the pace, if they can address reliability until June, and get their drivers sorted (Tandy threw away the race for Porsche yesterday) then they're not out of that race yet. As for the championsthat's going to Germany, unless something crazy happens. Audi is ahead, but Porsche still ie running, having the fastest car and all.
Also, yesterday really wasn't Bruni/Vilander's day. That one minute penalty at the end really did them in. I'm expecting great things from them come Le Mans.

If the first two races are anything to go by. It will probably be between the #7 Audi and the #18 Porsche, as they have the more experienced drivers and they've stayed out of trouble so far. Although Audi will probably have the better strategy and the Porsche is likely to fall apart.

Nissan I doubt will even make it through the night.

The Manthey Porsches are always solid and they always come good in the races. I have a suspicion, if a P1 doesn't take them out they might sneak the win.

 

[Farmer]

Toyota had the reliability last year as well. The stacked No. 7 car with the F1 drivers would've been a podium contender for sure were it not for the wiring loom failure. That being a show-stopper can only be described as an act of the Le Mans gods. Similar tragedy for Toyota occurred in 99 with the TS020.

It is mysterious to me why Toyota is not fielding a 3rd car. A 3rd car is critical if you're trying to win Le Mans. It is as if they are questioning the financial reason or are satisified with just winning the WEC last year and are preparing to leave the sport. I'm sure they know that winning Le Mans is far more significant. Their goal should be to win at Le Mans before Audi leaves. If that's not their goal, then why even race?

Peugeot didn't win over Audi until the 3rd year of their full works program, and they had four cars in that race.

“We did the best job we could and fifth was the maximum we could do. It’s a few more points for us but the next race is Le Mans, which is the big one. We just have to get our heads down and keep working away to prepare the most competitive package we can for Le Mans.”

I don't know, not too much confidence in that statement.

As for Nissan, I'm not even sure if they are serious or just gunning for publicity with their outlandish designs, first the DeltaWings, now this front wheel drive monstrosity. The ugliest closed cockpit prototype car ever, for sure. Having missed all the events so far, I'm sure they are aiming to be competitive next year.

 

[_Rick_]

so, after Le Mans (see http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2434742 ) and Porsche's double win there (the winning car being their joker entry though, not a full season car) WEC is back in action at the Nürburgring.

I haven't followed quali, but assume that the order is little changed from Le Mans - excited to see this one go down.

Nick Tandy is back in his regular P2 car, after winning Le Mans - and qualified in the top two of P2.

Bruni/Vilander are on pole in GTE Pro, and I hope they can make up for their sad Le Mans result.