[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[templer]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Unless I am mistaken, the only spec that was raced by Toyota at Spa was the HD spec; the same one that was raced at Silvertsone. What's the purpose of the LD or NSLD spec that was tested at Paul Ricard ? Have Toyota changed their mind and been working on a more extreme LD package in an attempt to catch up ?

Silverstone and Spa are the same HD-versions. The low-downforce version shown at Paul Ricard will not be at Le Mans. John Litjens has mentioned the new Le Mans package will be notable different. So I think we can expect more changes.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Unless I am mistaken, the only spec that was raced by Toyota at Spa was the HD spec; the same one that was raced at Silvertsone. What's the purpose of the LD or NSLD spec that was tested at Paul Ricard ? Have Toyota changed their mind and been working on a more extreme LD package in an attempt to catch up ?

This depends on which of the pictures you posted were the HD or NSLD packages. I'm presuming the second pictures, with the less aggressive front fenders, smaller opening in the front splitter, and smaller openings on the nose were from the NSLD package. That also seems to be what Toyota ran at Silverstone, at least from the front end. These are based on the pictures fro Ricard, on the assumption the #2 car in those snaps was the NSLD package - maybe it isn't, and I'm barking up the wrong tree.

My theory is that Toyota weren't happy with either of the specs they tested at Ricard, and what we've seen so far is a mish-mash between those two specs (or certainly at Silverstone at least) and they've decided they have to go with something as different as Audi went for last year to remain competitive at Le Mans.

Last year's LM-spec R18 really was a Le Mans special - it was even slower than the HD Audis at Spa last year. Despite their disadvantage in a straight line, that spec was raced only once. I think Toyota are taking a similar strategy.

[Acid09]

They seem so far behind, I struggle how a simple aero kit should be able to get them back to the front. I mean, we're not talking about them being off a few tenths..they're off by seconds, even on F1-length tracks.

It really looks like sort of a transitional year for them until they can switch to batteries in 2016. Their current technology simply seems to have reached its peak.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Fitting a 2015 nose on a 2014 monocoque ?

That picture is in no way representative of how the cars will be from LM forward. They are assembling them for 'show'. They havent even used those 'sharkteeth' diveplanes this season They even confuse me with things developed but unused.

Originally Posted by templer

Silverstone and Spa are the same HD-versions. The low-downforce version shown at Paul Ricard will not be at Le Mans. John Litjens has mentioned the new Le Mans package will be notable different. So I think we can expect more changes.

Cool, may I ask where you heard this from him? Any publication or just a personal chat?

Originally Posted by Acid09

They seem so far behind, I struggle how a simple aero kit should be able to get them back to the front. I mean, we're not talking about them being off a few tenths..they're off by seconds, even on F1-length tracks.

It really looks like sort of a transitional year for them until they can switch to batteries in 2016. Their current technology simply seems to have reached its peak.

Audi's "simple aero kit" pushed them up front 1.5 seconds back on fast lap at Spa. Thats less than the gap Audi was back in 2014. Im still hopeful. Even if theyre not the fastest, they may have a distance per stint advantage. If theyre closer than 2013, they have a good shot.

[Artur]

Originally Posted by TF110

Audi's "simple aero kit" pushed them up front 1.5 seconds back on fast lap at Spa. Thats less than the gap Audi was back in 2014.

Looking into the race's best sector times from Spa 2014 and 2015. Audi was only 0,4s slower than Toyota last year, while, this year, Toyota was 2,5s slower than Audi!!!

[templer]

Cool, may I ask where you heard this from him? Any publication or just a personal chat?


Article at Motorsport-Total in the last section.

http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/...-15050701.html

[Artur]

I took those from the official timing:
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/

Click on the "Race", then on the "Hour 6" and then you have all data from the whole race : Event Maximum Speed, Best Sector Times and etc.

[MyNameIsNigel]

That appears to be very good news indeed.

[gustavobamba]

Excelent news

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

That appears to be very good news indeed.

If that means Kaz can recover in time for LM, I'm absolutely thrilled.

[kvenom]

Kaz is mega quick at Le Mans. If Toyota has any chance, he will be one of the reasons.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Artur

Looking into the race's best sector times from Spa 2014 and 2015. Audi was only 0,4s slower than Toyota last year, while, this year, Toyota was 2,5s slower than Audi!!!

Audi's high downforce package was only that much slower. Its LM package was further off. Toyota's ideal best in '14 was 2:00.8, Audi's ideal best for the LM package was 2:02.1. Maybe thats not so representative. So I chose actual fast lap because draft may come into play for best sectors at Spa.

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

If that means Kaz can recover in time for LM, I'm absolutely thrilled.

Toyota tweeted he was out of the hospital, but to expect him to be in shape for the race is a tough ask. They said he was going to start his rehab http://twitter.com/Toyota_Hybrid/sta...94190506156032

[carbon_titanium]

agree, kaz has always been great at le mans! good for TMG if he will be in game again! now they just need to give him a competitive car

[MyNameIsNigel]

@FIAWEC's tweet is rather ambiguous. Will Kazuki simply be at the LM Test Day or actually drive the car during the test ? Either way, this still does not mean that he will be allowed to race. I am keeping my fingers crossed nevertheless.

[tyronnezx]

This might be weird but, i want to see Kamui racing but not at the cost of turning the #1 car into destruction derby car. Also im unsure how he will go with the Davidson/Buemi lineup so if Nakajima cant make it, i think they should definitly Make a Conway/Buemi/Davidson lineup in the 1 car and put Kamui in the #2. That is Toyota's best chance. If Toyota were to continue in the future, i have a feel that they might replace someone in the #2 with Kamui but i get the feel that hes not ready yet. Then again i said that on his debut in Toyota F1

[MyNameIsNigel]

Seems that Kazuki underwent successful surgery on his spine and could be back racing much sooner than originally expected.

[Articus]

I imagine Kobayashi will still run at the Test day though should any problems arise with Nakajima.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

This might be weird but, i want to see Kamui racing but not at the cost of turning the #1 car into destruction derby car. Also im unsure how he will go with the Davidson/Buemi lineup so if Nakajima cant make it, i think they should definitly Make a Conway/Buemi/Davidson lineup in the 1 car and put Kamui in the #2. That is Toyota's best chance. If Toyota were to continue in the future, i have a feel that they might replace someone in the #2 with Kamui but i get the feel that hes not ready yet. Then again i said that on his debut in Toyota F1

Why do think Kobayashi would turn it into a destruction derby car? Did he do that when driving for AF Corse? I cant recall incidents like that. Nakajima was labelled as a "kamikaze" type pilot before, but now hes considered one of their fastest. And Kobayashi had a lot better performance in F1 than Nakajima did, so he should be equally as quick if we go on past performances.

As for Conway, he has not really been a stand-out in the #2. It looks like Wurz is actually the most solid in the car. Maybe experience would be desired, but Hulkenberg turned out fine, Kobayashi should as well. Neither have lmp experience except testing, but at least the latter has driven a full wec season, in GTE.

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by TF110

Why do think Kobayashi would turn it into a destruction derby car? Did he do that when driving for AF Corse? I cant recall incidents like that. Nakajima was labelled as a "kamikaze" type pilot before, but now hes considered one of their fastest. And Kobayashi had a lot better performance in F1 than Nakajima did, so he should be equally as quick if we go on past performances.

As for Conway, he has not really been a stand-out in the #2. It looks like Wurz is actually the most solid in the car. Maybe experience would be desired, but Hulkenberg turned out fine, Kobayashi should as well. Neither have lmp experience except testing, but at least the latter has driven a full wec season, in GTE.

Easy there. i did say it was pure speculation towards the end of my comment. im not saying hes bad. He hadn't got me convinced and with only 2 cars, i don't see why Toyota should take this risk with their fastest option; the #1 car.

[TF110]

"Easy there" lol Im not upset, Im just asking what makes you think Kobayashi would "demolition derby" the car? Its like Japanese drivers are all divebombers according to many on motorsport forums. Hope you dont think that way. Kobayashi has had some deep outbraking moves in single seaters, but he's no Maldonaldo As for their fastest option, maybe Kobayashi is faster than Davidson and Buemi? As long as hes consistent there shouldnt be any issue. I dont think they change lineups. Isnt it too late for that?

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by TF110

"Easy there" lol Im not upset, Im just asking what makes you think Kobayashi would "demolition derby" the car? Its like Japanese drivers are all divebombers according to many on motorsport forums. Hope you dont think that way. Kobayashi has had some deep outbraking moves in single seaters, but he's no Maldonaldo As for their fastest option, maybe Kobayashi is faster than Davidson and Buemi? As long as hes consistent there shouldnt be any issue. I dont think they change lineups. Isnt it too late for that?

Only time will tell. i might be jumping the gun here. We're all yet to see how he goes in an LMP1. Toyota has bigger problems at this moment than its drivers

[jasonjessica09]

Who agrees that the Toyota is the ugliest a$$ car in LMP1? I know for sure at Le Mans this year I am cheering for anybody except them to win.

[kvenom]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

Who agrees that the Toyota is the ugliest a$$ car in LMP1? I know for sure at Le Mans this year I am cheering for anybody except them to win.

Don't know how you can say that when Audi is on the grid with that snout and a tractor sound if we are judging on ugliness.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

Who agrees that the Toyota is the ugliest a$$ car in LMP1? I know for sure at Le Mans this year I am cheering for anybody except them to win.

What an exceptional post to make your entry into your next millennium! Congratulations!

[Lagunaseca_4life]

The Toyota is one of the best looking modern lmp1s since the '11 908. Do I think they will win Le Mans?no, but I sure do want them to!