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21 Mar 2017, 01:30 (Ref:3720327) | #5176 | |
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I agree, (hopefully) a safe pair of hands, and he's familiar with the team.
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21 Mar 2017, 03:14 (Ref:3720339) | #5177 | |||
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Quote:
Last edited by Lagunaseca_4life; 21 Mar 2017 at 03:19. |
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RACE CAR: noun: an automobile built or modified for racing. |
21 Mar 2017, 03:27 (Ref:3720342) | #5178 | ||
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I bet that some at TMG won't mind if he takes a Porsche 919 with him. Though he hasn't trashed any LMP2 Orecas.
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21 Mar 2017, 04:57 (Ref:3720355) | #5179 | |
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He still has the speed as shown in his LMP2 outings. Hopefully he improved his driving in rainy conditions.
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21 Mar 2017, 06:26 (Ref:3720359) | #5180 | |
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That's what I thought was the only thing that was going wrong with him. He threw it away a few times in the rain, maybe he's had a bit of practice since then.
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21 Mar 2017, 06:27 (Ref:3720360) | #5181 | ||
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Hopefully TMG realized they were harsh with their treatment of him (I'm not saying he was wrong to be dropped but the manner of his removal still stands out).
I look forward to seeing him back in LMP1. |
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21 Mar 2017, 12:24 (Ref:3720397) | #5182 | ||
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He did win LMP2 at Le Mans in 2015 and 2016.
If Toyota are going to make the effort with 3 cars against just 2 Porsches it makes sense to have someone in the car with speed and experience. |
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21 Mar 2017, 14:32 (Ref:3720415) | #5183 | |
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It's nice to see that they're not doing something stupid like an all-Japanese lineup without Le Mans experience for the 3rd car or something like that.
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21 Mar 2017, 18:44 (Ref:3720459) | #5184 | |
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What's the story behind that? I don't recall hearing he was treated harshly but is that actually the case? I recall hearing something about his head wasn't in it. But my head isn't doing well in this case either
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21 Mar 2017, 19:18 (Ref:3720467) | #5185 | |||
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Quote:
Anyway, whatever happened, I'm glad it's working out for him and TMG; a win for the 3rd car would be an emphatic resolution to this chapter. |
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22 Mar 2017, 00:13 (Ref:3720501) | #5186 | ||
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I think it was something about his private life, too much party or something like that I have heard from the commentator on the TV while a race.
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23 Mar 2017, 23:54 (Ref:3721017) | #5187 | ||
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Quote:
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24 Mar 2017, 06:17 (Ref:3721066) | #5188 | |
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Yuji Kunimoto will be absent from Super Formula Fuji test (March 31- April 1).
In contrast, Ryo Hirakawa will participate in the test alternate for Kazuki Nakajima. Toyota WEC 3rd car driver will be Yuji Kunimoto, not Ryo Hirakawa. http://www.as-web.jp/super-formula/101471?all |
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24 Mar 2017, 06:28 (Ref:3721069) | #5189 | ||
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Quote:
Hirakawa isn't in Aragon for the Toyota test yet Kunimoto is. |
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24 Mar 2017, 17:18 (Ref:3721226) | #5190 | |
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Kunimoto-Lapierre-Sarrazin is kinda underwhelming on paper given who's available. Can never judge a book by its cover though.
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24 Mar 2017, 19:41 (Ref:3721260) | #5191 | ||
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Considering that Audi Sport still have almost all their drivers locked down with contracts (and another likely to return should Porsche leave anytime soon), it was pretty slim pickings for TMG as far as raiding anyone else's team.
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25 Mar 2017, 04:22 (Ref:3721324) | #5192 | ||
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I think TMG is striking a sensible balance here. Two guys with vast LMP1 H experience who also know the team and one new guy. I don't think putting more than one rookie in the car would have been a smart choice. |
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25 Mar 2017, 18:22 (Ref:3721456) | #5193 | |
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He's a decent talent too, winning Super Formula last year. Paired with Lapierre who was fastest in his LMP2 squad and has previous Toyota wec experience (victories) and Sarrazin with at equal the most experience on the team. I think they should be able to keep up and might be a backup player for the other 2 cars.
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27 Mar 2017, 21:26 (Ref:3721975) | #5194 | |
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Looks like Toyota even contacted Marsel Fassler, but he declined In the article, he only says a double commitment wouldn't be possible.
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27 Mar 2017, 22:54 (Ref:3721995) | #5195 | ||
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Audi Sport probably farmed him out to WRT to avoid him getting picked up by TMG. Same thing with Ben, who's also on loan to WRT. Both are doing the full BES season with WRT this year.
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28 Mar 2017, 08:27 (Ref:3722083) | #5196 | |
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TOYOTA GAZOO RACING COMPLETES DRIVER LINE-UP
http://toyotagazooracing.com/release...c/0328-01.html |
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28 Mar 2017, 11:14 (Ref:3722126) | #5197 | |
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WRT are essentially a works Audi team anyway, so it makes sense they're in that.
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28 Mar 2017, 11:17 (Ref:3722129) | #5198 | ||
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Lapierre in the third Toyota is confirmed for Spa and Le Mans (AUTOhebdo).
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28 Mar 2017, 12:06 (Ref:3722141) | #5199 | ||
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If I was lapierre, I'd of given Toyota the finger.. his crash a few years ago wether his fault or not, resulted in Toyota dismissing him.
Then to ask for him back because they can't find any better drivers seems to be taking the biscuit IMO. I guess that's racing though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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28 Mar 2017, 12:43 (Ref:3722146) | #5200 | |||
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