[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[TF110]

Some more updates gone unnoticed but caught by http://lemansprototypes.over-blog.it...s040-2015.html;

outter splitter detail


front fender detail

[wdave0]

Mirror height changes too.

[MyNameIsNigel]

A look at the front section (nose removed) of the 2015 Toyota TS040 Hybrid:

(source: Flickr / Nans Even)

To be compared with the 2014 Toyota TS040 Hybrid:


(source: racecar-engineering)

Most noticeable changes:
- relocation of the brake cooling ducts above the suspension arms
- front diffuser curve
- new turning vanes

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

A look at the front section (nose removed) of the 2015 Toyota TS040 Hybrid:


Most noticeable changes:
- relocation of the brake cooling ducts above the suspension arms
- front diffuser curve
- new turning vanes

Like shown here above, the changes are drawn up in this picture



You can see the unique strake on the bottom of the casing for the brakes. A big upgrade is the double elements behind the front wheels on this year's cars.

[TF110]

Really good interview with John Litjens here. A few good questions on the future of lmp1 (sadly says a weight increase looks likely). Also talks on the lap times being under 3:20. If the translation is correct, that would be race pace not just qualifying.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by TF110

Really good interview with John Litjens here. A few good questions on the future of lmp1 (sadly says a weight increase looks likely). Also talks on the lap times being under 3:20. If the translation is correct, that would be race pace not just qualifying.

What he say about top speed???? Under 345km/h is that correct???

[Snips1]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

What he say about top speed???? Under 345km/h is that correct???

No. He says that the cars were doing around 345 km/h last year, and because they don't want the different classes to be seperated too much regarding topspeed, the topspeed for this year will be around the same as last year. But he wxpect you will have to do 3:20min laps all the time to win.
Also says the manufacturs have met with the FIA REGARDING THE NEW REGULATIONS FOR 2017. The main point is safety for everybody, so expect a new monoque for 2017. Otherwise, he doesn't think the changes will be too big. The manufacturers want stability.

[TF110]

Theyll do higher this year. Porsche and Toyota were doing ~335kmh at the prologue. I think we'll see 350kmh+. The reasoning is more power and better (lower) drag. Toyota said that was the first time they ran the low-drag package! Theres definitely more to come from everyone.

[cokata]

Last year they also had the whole "cheater wing", which would have boosted top speed somewhat. I would say Toyota and Audi will get to 350kph this year, not much more, but they will be MUCH quicker in the twisties.

[tyronnezx]

I don't know why anyone is getting so excited about fast lap times and top speeds here. There will have to be compromises made for being fast and im sure Porsche will pay the price with tire wear if they choose to run the 24hr race like a scolded cat. This is where i think Toyota and Audi will have an advantage. As long as they don't loose the sight of the Porsche and are able to double stint, with a bit of luck and accident free run's it's job tidy for either of them. As a matter of fact, this is how Audi won last year.

[TF110]

I dont think Porsche will automatically be the fastest car. We know their battery system allows them to run almost all the boost on one straight which complements the top speed. But that leaves the rest of the lap a little compromised. The Litjens interview was revealing that Toyota concentrated a lot on tire life. And if he says that in order to win you need to run sub-3:20's, well that will be the pace they expect to run! This year will be awesome.

[Artur]

Originally Posted by cokata

Last year they also had the whole "cheater wing", which would have boosted top speed somewhat. I would say Toyota and Audi will get to 350kph this year, not much more, but they will be MUCH quicker in the twisties.

Audi already reached 355kmh last year and I know this from their live onboard telemetry stream

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

I don't know why anyone is getting so excited about fast lap times and top speeds here. There will have to be compromises made for being fast and im sure Porsche will pay the price with tire wear if they choose to run the 24hr race like a scolded cat. This is where i think Toyota and Audi will have an advantage. As long as they don't loose the sight of the Porsche and are able to double stint, with a bit of luck and accident free run's it's job tidy for either of them. As a matter of fact, this is how Audi won last year.

What are you talking about, mate? They usually do quadruple stints at Le Mans.

The double stints are common only on the 6h races

[TF110]

Soon, all of Toyota will race under the GAZOO RACING banner according to this http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/7515501/. I wonder if the name change will take place on the wec team?

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by TF110

Soon, all of Toyota will race under the GAZOO RACING banner according to this http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/7515501/. I wonder if the name change will take place on the wec team?

The article says so but sounds it doesnt have to be at a detailed level. Gazoo racing seems to be a symbolic brand name (mainly in Japan) indicating toyota's passion on motorsport. I think its very related to their recent organizational reform that centralizes resources on their central mortorsport division.

[CTD]

What does GAZOO mean?
From a marketing stand, this is a weird thing to do.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by CTD

What does GAZOO mean?
From a marketing stand, this is a weird thing to do.

Yes, weird. I dont think its a good marketing strategy although people dont care this that much.
(if i remember correctly) Gazoo was poorly named after an in-house sales system initially called Gazou (画像 = just means images) system that Akio Toyoda initiated maybe two decades ago, which originally didnt have to do with motor racing at all.

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by Artur

Audi already reached 355kmh last year and I know this from their live onboard telemetry stream

What are you talking about, mate? They usually do quadruple stints at Le Mans.

The double stints are common only on the 6h races

Well if conventional wisdom is anything to go by, usually driving on the limit also wears your tyre out quicker. If im not mistaken, those improvements by Porsche were over one lap distances, which suggests possible qualifying runs. I went off on that assumption that you cant run a 24 hour race in qualifying limit to win without destroying the tires. It's impressive but i may also be wrong

[Artur]

From what I read from the drivers, they push pretty much all the time nowadays and Le Mans have been on quadruple stints for quite some years... I think they will , at least, tripple stint the tires

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Hiro

Yes, weird. I dont think its a good marketing strategy although people dont care this that much.
(if i remember correctly) Gazoo was poorly named after an in-house sales system initially called Gazou (画像 = just means images) system that Akio Toyoda initiated maybe two decades ago, which originally didnt have to do with motor racing at all.

Gazoo Racing is "automotive seasoning". Using the knowledge gained through racing to apply to real world car building and tuning. Gazoo already has a huge presense at the VLN rounds with their own class gt-86. The gt-86 also has a one-make series in Japan, all under "Gazoo". This move will be in conjunction with the new initiative of Toyota putting motorsport first.

Whether you like them or not, this is a good thing as they'll either expand the current projects or expand what they are involved in. More competition the better. I dont follow wrc near as much as sportscars or f1, but them going back to wrc is only good news for the sport.

Onto the TS040- the #1 car has different diveplanes than the #2



Vs. #2

[cokata]

Originally Posted by Artur

Audi already reached 355kmh last year and I know this from their live onboard telemetry stream

If you look at the screenshot you can see it is right at the end of the straight and the audi was just overtaking a gt car (he was using hybrid boost to get by the gt car before the chicane), with ICE power alone the audis got to ~340 kph, the toyota ~345kph, and the porsche ~335kph

[Giba]

Originally Posted by TF110

Soon, all of Toyota will race under the GAZOO RACING banner according to this http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/7515501/. I wonder if the name change will take place on the wec team?

I would be surprised if they didn't include the name Toyota in the team name as if many motorsport fans don't know what GAZOO means then what about the casual fan

[TF110]

It will. The image shows the name- Toyota GAZOO Racing

[MyNameIsNigel]

A nice shot of the outer edge of the front splitter on the TS040 thanks to Marshall Pruett:

(source: racer.com)

Interestingly, the front diveplane seems much simpler than those seen at the Prologue which had a serrated edge (unless I am mistaken).

[TF110]

Toyota's PR, not trying for fast laps but trying setups and tire life. Looks like 29 or 30 lap stints will be possible though.

[GasperG]

Sorry but it doesn't look to encouraging, the words from the drivers doesn't sound to good:
... but we have some work to do to find more pace ...
... Obviously we are not where we want to be ...
... I think we’re going in a positive direction ...
... I think we have a reasonable base for the weekend ...
... We have some homework to do ...
... Today was okay for us ...
... The car feels okay but I think we’ve got some things to do ...