Quote:
Originally Posted by Dario911
In european races, Pescarolo is more competitive than Penske Racing. Henri's team knows very well opponents, tracks and needed strategies... A big point for Henri.
Pescarolo is the only team capable to compete against Audi and Peugeot. His budget is 1/10 if compared to Audi and Peugeot ones, but Pescarolo Sport is a very competitive and professional team, capable to build a very good car. They've matched works Aston Martin with an old and not full developed V10 Judd engine.
Treluyer has driven both Pescarolo 01 and Peugeot 908 HDI. He's said Pescarolo's chassis is more sporting than Peugeot 908 one, and the only difference is the engine. Benoit suggested Pescarolo, with a really competitive engine, might be at the same level of Audi and Peugeot.
That's not my opinion...
Audi is not interested to Formula 1, because their technical interest for this cathegory is very low. They are interested to race in P1 or, if they would be forced to leave this cathegory, join to GT class, with their new R8 GT3. World title is an interesting prospective for Audi, to support their GT manufacturer image.
Penske was rumored to be interested to join with Audi in ALMS, in P1 class.
But nothing about this has never been declared officially. Anyway, Penske is focusing its interest in other cathegories, such as Indy.
Porsche may choose Pescarolo as its parnter in a P1 program because of his habit to face against great opponents, such as Audi, Peugeot, Aston Martin...
Pescarolo is very well introduced in this contest, so he could understand how to manage as better as possible a competitive team.
Pescarolo 01 is a formidable car, as fast as works Aston Martin (if not faster, I would say...).
RS Spyder has beaten Audi R10, in ALMS, but it has been helped by different rules and tracks nature. Don't forget this.
Pescarolo is in P1 class since long time, so if you have to launch a new P1 car, you have to submit the car to a well experienced and able manager.
The same Audi has done with Joest.
So, Pescarolo may be the right choice for Porsche.
Penske is far from Europe since long, long time. This may be a real trouble for them in LMS and Le Mans.
Few people know Le Mans as well as mr. Henri.
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You are right in many of your points. But you must remember that the 2011 cars wont be LMP1's like today, but more like the LMP2's of today (ei. Porsche Spyder, Acura ARX-01b). The Pescarolo 01, has been made into a LMP2, but isn't really fast enough.
But i think we are forgetting a point in this discussion.
Penske has yet to build a LMP chassis, which Pescarolo has.
If Porsche are choosing to work together with a privateer to manufacture a car, then no doubt that it will be Pescarolo, who builds the Chassis. But if Porsche choose to manufacture the hole car them self (as some manufactures often choose) then i see Penske as the more likely choice for running ALMS and Le Mans, as they have the most
recent experience with Porsche LMP's. But Pescarolo could very well be offered the car for LMS.
But all in all. The Porsche LMP1 rumor is something that has existed since they made the had the LMP projekt back in 99-00
http://www.mulsannescorner.com/porschelmp1.html
So i don't think well see Porsche back for some time.. Besides, the most recent rumors i heard from the VW group/Porsche front is that Audi is scrapping the R15 after 2010, and developing a new 2011 racer, to fight against the new Peugeot and AMR.