WEC Porsche Prototype Discussion - Page 292

Coach Ep · 16 Sep 2016, 13:03 (Ref:3672779)

That could obviously go in any direction... Anyway, plenty of space at CotA to utilize the slow zones although they weren't used in last year's race either.

Spyderman · 17 Sep 2016, 06:49 (Ref:3672962)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

They were just fine in FP1. And we know that with the way that the rules are in regards to range and how quick Fretias post LM has been to grab for full course yellows, a badly time FCY can screw over Audi just like it did at Nurburgring and Mexico City.

No. They have lost their advantage. This is all about development cycles. The 919 has/ or is rapidly reaching the end of its cycle. There is not much more than can extract from the current car. Audi and Toyota have a good year of development ahead of them. Audi (as predicted) has not only caught up, but surpassed them. It is only a question of time before Toyota does the same. I have no illusions.
Only in 2018 will they all be on the same development cycle. Up until then I think ( for Porsche) it will be all about managing the damage.

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk

TF110 · 17 Sep 2016, 20:06 (Ref:3673174)

I think it's more likely that Audi is benefiting from the post-LM adjustment and they developed their car more towards high downforce. But they'll probably still go shorter on a stint than Porsche and Toyota. I think these longer courses will show that more.

chernaudi · 18 Sep 2016, 02:34 (Ref:3673447)

Well, well, well, the going longer on fuel/FCY demon has probably sealed this for Porsche again.

LC2guy · 27 Sep 2016, 09:38 (Ref:3675482)

Nice surprise for anyone out and about in London early this morning !!

https://www.autosport.com/gallery/index.php/id/3541

Mal · 27 Sep 2016, 12:03 (Ref:3675494)

I read about this this morning whilst on a train to London that arrived at Charing Cross at 7.01am - how annoying!!

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 12:34 (Ref:3679741)

Mark Webber will be retiring at the end of the 2016 season. He will continue to be a Porsche representative.

Acid09 · 13 Oct 2016, 12:35 (Ref:3679742)

That's a bit surprising, isn't it?

His sports car career will remain a bit incomplete by not having won Le Mans.

Piritos · 13 Oct 2016, 12:49 (Ref:3679744)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

That's a bit surprising, isn't it?

His sports car career will remain a bit incomplete by not having won Le Mans.

Any news on who will replace him? I hope it'll be Tandy.

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 12:49 (Ref:3679745)

I'm very sorry to see him go.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 13 Oct 2016, 13:09 (Ref:3679750)

That's very unexpected. No indication as to why, in this article. http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126638. He just says: "I want to leave on a high and I'm very much looking forward to my new tasks". Very enigmatic.

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 13:11 (Ref:3679751)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piritos

Any news on who will replace him? I hope it'll be Tandy.

No news. Porsche has not announced his replacement yet.

Acid09 · 13 Oct 2016, 13:41 (Ref:3679757)

Well, the cynic in me thinks that maybe Porsche decided it would make more sense to have another very quick driver in that car and sacrifice the marketing power that Webber comes with.

Let's be honest, he's always been the weakest link of that Porsche squad, albeit on a high-level. If they keep him around as ambassador they can still use his popularity but won't have to "waste" a seat for him.

Coach Ep · 13 Oct 2016, 14:01 (Ref:3679760)

Montoya.

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 14:14 (Ref:3679762)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

Well, the cynic in me thinks that maybe Porsche decided it would make more sense to have another very quick driver in that car and sacrifice the marketing power that Webber comes with.

Let's be honest, he's always been the weakest link of that Porsche squad, albeit on a high-level. If they keep him around as ambassador they can still use his popularity but won't have to "waste" a seat for him.

I don't think it was a Porsche decision. I think Mark has had this in mind for quite some time.
I personally think Porsche would have been happy to keep him on as a driver for another year or two.

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 14:15 (Ref:3679763)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Montoya.

I suspect not.

Spyderman · 13 Oct 2016, 14:19 (Ref:3679764)

So....2017 looks grimmer and grimmer for Porsche with each passing day.
A 4 year old car , no dedicated Technical Director, and the loss of one of their strong/popular drivers does not bode well.

Akrapovic · 13 Oct 2016, 14:40 (Ref:3679767)

Montoya may be a free agent come next year. It'd be awesome but I suspect it won't be him.

gert · 13 Oct 2016, 14:40 (Ref:3679768)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

Let's be honest, he's always been the weakest link of that Porsche squad, albeit on a high-level. If they keep him around as ambassador they can still use his popularity but won't have to "waste" a seat for him.

Let's be honest, I think that driver squad worked particularly well.
7 victories in the 22 races they entered so far -- and that's 7 from the last 11.

I can see zero reason why Porsche would want to move him out. I think it was his decision.

gert · 13 Oct 2016, 14:43 (Ref:3679769)

It would be nice to see Montoya or Button, but I hope they give it to one of their factory drivers.
Tandy, Bamber, Mako, ...

TF110 · 13 Oct 2016, 16:26 (Ref:3679789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gert

It would be nice to see Montoya or Button, but I hope they give it to one of their factory drivers.
Tandy, Bamber, Mako, ...

My immediate thought was Bamber

So long, Webber. You'll join Alex Wurz I presume and still have a part in the development of the car and team.

J Jay · 13 Oct 2016, 16:58 (Ref:3679792)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gert

It would be nice to see Montoya or Button, but I hope they give it to one of their factory drivers.
Tandy, Bamber, Mako, ...

It won't be Button as he's doing SGT next year, so he will still be contracted to Honda.

Mako's stock seems to have fallen over the last couple of years, I would have had him as a definite when he joined Porsche. I think it will be Bamber over Tandy if a factory driver is promoted to the seat.

CTD · 13 Oct 2016, 17:00 (Ref:3679793)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gert

It would be nice to see Montoya or Button, but I hope they give it to one of their factory drivers.
Tandy, Bamber, Mako, ...

Christensen...

**GTRMagic** · 13 Oct 2016, 18:52 (Ref:3679815)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Mark Webber will be retiring at the end of the 2016 season. He will continue to be a Porsche representative.

Victor_RO · 13 Oct 2016, 19:10 (Ref:3679819)

That statement sounds very much like McNish and Kristensen a few years ago when they announced their respective retirements. Major respect for all these guys for stopping when they feel the time seems right, rather than being pushed out. And the fact that Webber is staying with Porsche as a brand ambassador says to me that it was his decision in the end, and his alone.

99% sure that he'll still be at Le Mans next year in a Porsche shirt, even if he won't be doing any driving.

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