Audi LMP1 Discussion

[TF110]

Here's a side view taken from Filipe Albuquerque's instagram

[carbsmith]

Like when last year's car was unveiled, this would be an under development low drag configuration. At the front end the fenders are very similar to last year but with a bit more development in how they handle the holes. But the back end is really interesting, that's an entire new generation of design compared to everything else we've seen under these rules. The infill duct isn't all that new being something used on the TS020 and a few Lolas and WRs but the integrated fender shape is a new twist and that rear end is crazy looking by current standards.

My feeling is that the model isn't 100% complete as it seems to be lacking a variety of legality panels on all sides of the car.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by sssssssss

hopefully it won't be kolles again running the car.

Rofl they didn't do an overly awesome job with the R10 and that was pretty simple compared to today's car. Plus they've got their own car to run now. If you had the money to run the car you'd go with Joest for sure as they have the experience

[Akrapovic]

2017 version has tighter packaging for the sidepods. Its lower and thinner in that area. Suggests a lot of internal changes.

[chernaudi]

Top Gear Magazine tested the R18 recently:

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-...p1-le-mans-car

[bentley speed 8]

And when I thought they couldn't get it uglier...

[Akrapovic]

The high downforce version is ugly. I suppose it isn't too terrible, but it's ugly. The low downforce version is possibly the ugliest prototype in decades.

[PhilipR]

On the TG article that onboard camera is miles better than what they have during races. I hope they would just use such a position for the cameras in the future but I doubt they will do so

[TF110]

It may be that way on the wec feed because the teams don't want to give up any information on the steering wheel?

[Akrapovic]

http://lemansprototypes.over-blog.it...-r18-2017.html

Some good stuff showing the difference between the 16 and 17 cars. About as much as you'd expect from a yearly revision based on the same chassis. Certainly a bit more than the dark livery suggests. Seems the dark colours hide things very well.

[chernaudi]

Detailed photos released by Audi Sport here:

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...technology-738

[Artur]

Don't know if this video was already posted on some other thread, but, here, it certainly wasn't, so:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFLD1w6iaWA

150k views in 1 week and a half, that's an impressive figure even for more a mainstream motorsport video like F1's.

That onboard camera gives such great sensation of speed. Imagine that with racing tires on, and a pro Audi driver behind the wheel....

[S griffin]

So, similar to the VWs in WRC, they had a car in waiting for this season, albeit not built up. Interesting

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So, similar to the VWs in WRC, they had a car in waiting for this season, albeit not built up. Interesting

That video is last years car. The 2017 car was designed but never built.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

That video is last years car. The 2017 car was designed but never built.

I know that it was the 2016 car, I was mentioning about it being said they had there were parts for this season's car that was never built

[tigas]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I know that it was the 2016 car, I was mentioning about it being said they had there were parts for this season's car that was never built

But AFAIK, the 2017 Polo WRC had been built, unlike the 2017 R18. In fact, someone was trying to run the 2017 Polo WRC in some WRC events this year, until it came out that VW had not homologated it.

[S griffin]

And now thanks to the FIA there's no chance of seeing it anyway

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

And now thanks to the FIA there's no chance of seeing it anyway

I think that's quite a simplistic view of the situation. I think they wanted to see it happen but a few of the teams voiced concerns. Basically read them back their own rulebook from what I can see. If the right money had been available at the right time then I think we could have seen it happen.

There's a good debate to be had on whether the homologation rules should be changed. But it's not like the FIA could just alter them as they went along. I'm sure it was the fastest WRC car ever created so it's a real shame.

Anyway - back on topic.

[Artur]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I think that's quite a simplistic view of the situation. I think they wanted to see it happen but a few of the teams voiced concerns. Basically read them back their own rulebook from what I can see. If the right money had been available at the right time then I think we could have seen it happen.

There's a good debate to be had on whether the homologation rules should be changed. But it's not like the FIA could just alter them as they went along. I'm sure it was the fastest WRC car ever created so it's a real shame.

Anyway - back on topic.

As you said, other manufacturers(Toyota, Ford, Citroen, Hyundai) don't want to risk getting beaten by a privateer VW Polo

It's all business, first and foremost, before it being a sport, as most of us well know it.

[TF110]

The Polo was very conservative vs the new cars, lots doubt whether it would be the fastest one. Same thing with the the 2017 R18, it could be, but we'll never know. It wasn't all the teams fault for not allowing the Polo btw.

[Artur]

Not saying Polo would be the best, but it could and the possibility alone is enough to justify the competitiors not wanting them there, imho

[chernaudi]

Audi LMP1 comeback? Not likely for the near future, but the infrastructure is there:

http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/...-17021402.html

[TF110]

Sounds like going back to LMP1 would be accelerated if another manufacturer joins in before them. Maybe Peugeot will answer that call.

[Matt]

Better fire up that Peugeot evaluating/might return press release again, for the zillionth time.

[chernaudi]

Peugeot won't come in until costs are reduced to a more "sane" level, which could accelerate an Audi return if there's enough tech element to interest them.

That would mean a balance between cost and technology. Peugeot want's reduced cost, Audi wants to run a hydrogen fuel cell powered car or a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid.

Granted, the ACO have only at best made a half-hearted/half-assed attempt at satisfying both criteria.