GTE has a new player next year, BMW.
BMW M8 GTE Revealed; Completes Initial Three-Day Test - Sportscar365
BMW M8 GTE Revealed; Completes Initial Three-Day Test - Sportscar365
Le Mans WEC 2017
- Thread starter FB
- Start date
That's going to be awkward for the premier class.
It should be about pushing boundaries but it could well become a spec series.
It should be about pushing boundaries but it could well become a spec series.
F1Brits_90
World Champion
this was the worst kept secret in motorsport as everyone expected this but surprised at 2017. looking forward to seeing how Toyota lose le mans next season
but this is a warning to formula 1. because this is what can happen when manufacturers feel technology / budgets are getting too expensive. Formula E can be good but circuits need to get wider because they are so narrow currently which makes it very tough to pass without contact & is like 12 monacos, some circuits on forumla e calendar that make monaco look wide
but this is a warning to formula 1. because this is what can happen when manufacturers feel technology / budgets are getting too expensive. Formula E can be good but circuits need to get wider because they are so narrow currently which makes it very tough to pass without contact & is like 12 monacos, some circuits on forumla e calendar that make monaco look wide
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Well, it is decision time at the ACO and FIA; LMP1 is toast.
Lots of manufacturers switching focus to FE; Mercedes quit the DTM last week for the same reason. Toyota will almost certainly clear off too.
Interestingly Porsche aren't closing down their in-house racing team, and the drivers remain under contract. Where else could they race a variant of the KERS-assisted turbo engine...?
The guy who comes up with the GT and Touring equivalents to FE will be a wealthy one.
Interestingly Porsche aren't closing down their in-house racing team, and the drivers remain under contract. Where else could they race a variant of the KERS-assisted turbo engine...?
The guy who comes up with the GT and Touring equivalents to FE will be a wealthy one.
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Perhaps as the manufacturer side of LMP1 is all but dead the ACO might look at IMSA regs?
New Acura DPi breaks cover in Paul Ricard shakedown
New Acura DPi breaks cover in Paul Ricard shakedown
The rumour mill suggests not, rather that they're pinning their hopes on the new 2020 regs and will ride it out until then. There should be multiple privateer LMP1s next year, starting with Ginetta and Dallara, and if Toyota are still competing they could be "equalised" back to make a race of it. Maybe.
Incubus
Champion Elect
Well, who knows. Perrinn have said they've sold two chassis, Ginetta will be supplying Manor with two cars and rival teams with up to four other chassis, and the BRE/Dallara project is due to be on track before the end of the year. Maybe some of the orders will fall through, but I suspect the potential of an overall victory is likely to increase interest rather than reduce it.
Two big announcements about the future of the WEC yesterday, in reaction to Porsche pulling out of LMP1.
- There will only be one LMP1 category next year, and cars will be equalised on performance (i.e. laptime). How this will be achieved is TBC. Note that hybrids will still have the advantage of efficiency, and ought to run longer between pitstops, hence if Toyota is sticking around they should still win. But, if they hit problems, it would be harder to recover vs. a well-driven privateer car.
- As was originally intended, the WEC will move to being a winter championship a la Formula E, with Le Mans in June as the final round. To facilitate this, there will be an 18-month season running in 2018-19 with a severely reduced programme of events: 4 in 2018 (Spa, Le Mans, Shanghai and Fuji) and 4 in early 2019 (Sebring, Spa, Le Mans and another event TBC). Compared to the current calendar that means losing Silverstone, Nurburgring, Austin, Mexico City and Bahrain. Sebring (12h) and Le Mans (24h) will pay extra points - not necessarily double though. The problem the FIA was originally concerned about - that the championship winner will be overshadowed by the Le Mans winner, still seems to remain with this plan, however.
McLaren might make a come back to Le Mans if they get the rules "right"
McLaren would target Le Mans return if LMP1 gets rules reset
McLaren would target Le Mans return if LMP1 gets rules reset
The Dallara built BR Racing LMP1 car has been spotted - Spy shots: New BR1 LMP1 WEC challenger revealed in secret test
- and Ginetta claim to have sold a couple of chassis so it looks like LMP1 might be busy next year even without the factory teams.
- and Ginetta claim to have sold a couple of chassis so it looks like LMP1 might be busy next year even without the factory teams.
F1Brits_90
World Champion
no idea where to put this formula e, le mans, alain prost etc so took a punt. just finally finished up the brilliant amazon prime 6 part series le mans racing is everything. where they go behind the scenes of le mans that hulkenburg won. with numerous teams & drivers. not just the race its everything assoiced with it
they were talking in his kitchen about a few things & loved the story of nico prost told about how he & his now wife 1st met who hes been together for now 14yrs & married for 5yrs. as 14 yrs ago a few days after their 1st date. his now wife was playing trivial pursuit with her sisters & got stuck on question so completely unaware. sent nico a message "playing trivial pursuit do you know was the 1st french world champion"
& nico replied "my dad"
they were talking in his kitchen about a few things & loved the story of nico prost told about how he & his now wife 1st met who hes been together for now 14yrs & married for 5yrs. as 14 yrs ago a few days after their 1st date. his now wife was playing trivial pursuit with her sisters & got stuck on question so completely unaware. sent nico a message "playing trivial pursuit do you know was the 1st french world champion"
& nico replied "my dad"
