Feb 17, 2022 2:46:21 PM
Feb 17, 2022 2:58:18 PM
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Feb 17, 2022 9:12:45 PM
All I see is another LMP1 car... I like what I see, it is definitely a slendered down version of the 919, one can hardly understand how they fitted all the hardware under such a shrink-wrapped skin, but I always have difficulty linking cars like these visually to the brand I love so much. At least the GT1 had a lot of resemblance or style elements of the 911. This is "just" another LMP1 car visually.
Porsche, separates Le Mans from Le Boys
Feb 17, 2022 11:52:27 PM
Joost:All I see is another LMP1 car... I like what I see, it is definitely a slendered down version of the 919, one can hardly understand how they fitted all the hardware under such a shrink-wrapped skin, but I always have difficulty linking cars like these visually to the brand I love so much. At least the GT1 had a lot of resemblance or style elements of the 911. This is "just" another LMP1 car visually.
Yep, because its prototype ;) its pure race car, of course you have more possibilities to style it compared to open wheeler))) but anyway ;)
Feb 18, 2022 4:21:53 AM
Joost:All I see is another LMP1 car... I like what I see, it is definitely a slendered down version of the 919, one can hardly understand how they fitted all the hardware under such a shrink-wrapped skin, but I always have difficulty linking cars like these visually to the brand I love so much. At least the GT1 had a lot of resemblance or style elements of the 911. This is "just" another LMP1 car visually.
I fully understand what you are saying, however , we can also ask what did the 906,908,917s have in common with the 911's of that era? The 936s, the 956/962?
These designs are created to hit a required target , styling is a secondary function.
In the mid-long term, these cars eventually become Porsche icons too.
Feb 18, 2022 10:52:49 AM
You guys are both right of course. It is slightly better than a real formula car, where the biggest differences seem to be in the liveries.
And true, these cars WILL become legends in their own right, just look at the 919 already. However, how cool would it be to see a 918 like hypercar on the track, with a homologation version for the roads, etc.?
Ah well, we'll see, and I do look forward to see this car being competitive in the near future!
Porsche, separates Le Mans from Le Boys
Feb 18, 2022 11:19:02 AM
Like you I also love the era of gt and gtp cars. Prototypes with the design cues of production cars, like it was from 95 (closer to production) till 99 (gtp cars). This is nice approach on sportscars regs, but, you can be wondered, in reality it is very expensive, on par with high tech lmp1s. And it will be much more expensive than the current hypercar regs, both lmh and lmdh.
If you go closer to production basis you will have to omologate the car, work with the basic production model. Its also a headache to bop such cars. If you go closer to gtp, you will also have to omologate the parts. I have heard in 98 and 99 merc and toyota spent f1 budgets to be competitive. So sometimes the pure race car is actually cheaper to race. Lmp900 were much less expensive than gt and gtp from 98 and 99.
Feb 18, 2022 4:04:46 PM
Feb 18, 2022 10:11:29 PM
Feb 19, 2022 6:25:02 AM
Joost:You guys are both right of course. It is slightly better than a real formula car, where the biggest differences seem to be in the liveries.
And true, these cars WILL become legends in their own right, just look at the 919 already. However, how cool would it be to see a 918 like hypercar on the track, with a homologation version for the roads, etc.?
Ah well, we'll see, and I do look forward to see this car being competitive in the near future!
Whilst most (me included) agree with you that a racing version of the 918 would look fantastic, the truth is that we have actually been down that road before. The GT1 era produced some of the best looking cars ever, however, the pressure to succeed was so great that the development of those cars became such that they quickly transformed themselves into pure bred prototypes. (see Toyota GT1)
Personally I'm a big fan of the Prototypes: I enjoy seeing what each manufacturer comes up with , without being "restricted" by using as a basis a road going car. I think of them as the F1 of sportscars.
Unfortunately , today the rules and regulations( coupled with technology) are such that the differences in the cars (designs) are almost all but eliminated (we see the same in F1).
Now the really sad thing is that the regulators want more restrictions (BoP). We live in a world where everything needs to be the same. They are no longer satisfied with "equal opportunities" (a set of rules for all) , they search for equality in the outcomes (BoP). I personally think that they are frustrated with the very nature of racing: If they could, all entrants would be winners.
Feb 22, 2022 11:42:38 PM
Video from tests
https://vk.com/video-34736350_456242560
On peugeot: the like the aero, however lots of issues with reliability, including the engine issues - oil system and exhaust
Mar 11, 2022 5:43:13 AM
Spyderidol:There is a lot of talk/speculation that the Audi LMDh program has been scaled back (and it is now understood that it will have the same chassis and drivetrain as the Porsche). My suspicion is that this could indicate a possible Audi entry into F1 (engine supplier) in 2026 and that they would rather divert resources to that project in the future.
There are now some pretty strong rumors that this is in fact true.
It looks like Audi's LMDh program has been cancelled and resources will be directed towards F1.
Mar 11, 2022 7:43:31 AM
https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/audi-axes-lmdh-programme-le-mans-return/8870969/
I mean, they do have some unexpected success with their rally car. It would be natural to think maybe, just maybe they can chase the overall win there.
The prime target for doing engine deals is still Red Bull in F1.
Horner after all, doesn't really want to do their own engines. Didn't have a choice before with Honda leaving.
Would VAG only want to send their Audi brand to F1?
None of the teams are actively trying to sell, not even Haas. So a works team is out of the question unless they don't mind paying the entry fee as a new team.
Red Bull has the advantage of running two teams, so one could be using the Porsche branding while the other can use the Audi brand while using the same engine.
FIA rules forbid a team running 2 different branding, so a VAG factory team can't have one as a Porsche and the other as an Audi, they will need to enter 2 teams in order to get both into F1.
Would the Porsche family allow Audi to hog the spot light in F1? Of course not, especially with Ferdinand Piech gone.
Audi has a long twisted road just to get into F1.
I don't know if VAG have already estimated their losses from the War in Ukraine and its repercussions.
Direct loss of sales to Russia, loss of production from the 3 Russian plants, the confiscation/nationalisation of their assets by the Russian government, loss of sales elsewhere due to the disruption in car-part supplies. Besides, in the present uncertain and pessimistic economic climate orders for new cars will decrease from Europe at least.
All the above on top of the business disruption as a result of Covid and the earlier heavy costs from the diesel-scandal.
In view of the above VAG might have to revise their costly motorsport Program.
"Porsche....and Nothing else matters"
Mar 11, 2022 5:36:17 PM
Mar 14, 2022 9:32:23 PM
Fresh report from Porsche testing in Barcelona
https://racer.com/2022/03/14/porsche-first-to-test-new-spec-prototype-ers/
Mar 15, 2022 4:12:33 PM