[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[chernaudi]

If Toyota can get a third car for LM next year and get more performance out of their current car, the odds will be stacked against Porsche. Even more so, as a SC365 article says that a third Porsche for LM next year probably won't happen.

[Articus]

I caught on the Shanghai Broadcast, that Hindy was saying that Toyota was preparing a third car not just for Le Mans, but also for every race up until Le Mans. Silverstone included. Any truth to that?

[roderick]

Dont ask how I know or proof but here is what I know.
1, Third car for Toyota is still in decision stage due to audi leaving. (although budget for next year has been decided. Which means, 3 cars with less performance, or 2 cars with great performance)
2, FIA is trying to get new manufacture to join for 2018. possible candidate so far is Peugeot
3, If Toyota do take part with 3 cars, they will race 3 cars for beginning of season races up till Le mans

Most of decision will be made after the end of season race at Bahrain

[TF110]

Endurance info has most of that same information on their latest from Toyota. Nothing on the budget being decided or what races a third car will run though.

If there is a third car, I think regarding the latest from autosport on Lopez, that Sarrazin will stay on in a third car with Hirakawa and maybe Derani.

[TF110]

Specutainment tweeted earlier today that Toyota will run 3 cars in the first 3 races of 2017. Seems the source is dsc. If true this is tremendously good news!

[chernaudi]

Midweek Motorsports twitter seems to confirm that TMG will run three cars next season, not just at LM, but the first three rounds of next season.

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by TF110

Specutainment tweeted earlier today that Toyota will run 3 cars in the first 3 races of 2017. Seems the source is dsc. If true this is tremendously good news!

Very good news!!!
It's good to see Pechito Lopez driving one of the Toyota

[TF110]

So who would pilot the third car? I think Hirakawa is definitely in one of the three seats. Will Sarrazin stay on, or will they pick up an Audi driver or two? Perhaps someone who has already tested their TS040? I think I'd go with Hirakawa, Lotterer and Sarrazin, if he doesn't get left out completely.

[Hawkwood]

Autosport states Sarrazin would stay on in a third car.

Am I alone in still hoping Beche gets a drive here?
I know, Audi drivers etc, but still...

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

Autosport states Sarrazin would stay on in a third car.

Am I alone in still hoping Beche gets a drive here?
I know, Audi drivers etc, but still...

Beche is a fine shout and would be my pick otherwise (although I would be surprised if he settled in quite as well and quickly as Jani did at Porsche), but it would be very hard to ignore up to six hybrid-experienced factory drivers, including the most highly regarded driver in the field.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Midweek Motorsports twitter seems to confirm that TMG will run three cars next season, not just at LM, but the first three rounds of next season.

Finally! Great news.

[Akrapovic]

I'd put Beche, Dernai and Lotterrer in that car. Won't happen, but what a car that would be.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I'd put Beche, Dernai and Lotterrer in that car. Won't happen, but what a car that would be.

I'd put Danny Watts, DErani, Lotterer in. Danny watts needs his big break. He is dynamite in an LMP. Hasn't had a proper ride in a while.

[Akrapovic]

Watts is a good call. There's also a man called Brundle who wouldn't be a bad call. And a Rast.

In fact, there's bloody loads of people Toyota will be on the phone to right now.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Watts is a good call. There's also a man called Brundle who wouldn't be a bad call. And a Rast.

In fact, there's bloody loads of people Toyota will be on the phone to right now.

Thats for certain!

[gert]

My guess is Sarrazin-Derani-Hirakawa.

[TF110]

I don't know if Derani would be a good choice over someone like Lotterer or Duval who are both more experienced. I think Hirakawa is going to be in the car for certain because it fits Toyota's philosophy of getting a Japanese driver in each car, plus he has already tested the TS050 iirc. That's on top of being a Toyota backed driver. So if Sarrazin stays on, there's only one seat left.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by TF110

I don't know if Derani would be a good choice over someone like Lotterer or Duval who are both more experienced. I think Hirakawa is going to be in the car for certain because it fits Toyota's philosophy of getting a Japanese driver in each car, plus he has already tested the TS050 iirc. That's on top of being a Toyota backed driver. So if Sarrazin stays on, there's only one seat left.

I think when you have 3 cars, you get the luxury to test out a guy like Derani. It could pay off big time. Sort of the way Nick Tandy did at Porsche.

[J Jay]

Courtesy of Japanese Samurai, we know that Andre Lotterer definitely won't be in a TS050 next year.

I was looking forward to seeing Andre in a Toyota LMP, but there is still a big bunch of quick young drivers that have impressed in LMP2 who would be fine picks to join the likely (confirmed?) pair of Sarrazin & Hirakawa in the third car.

[gert]

Originally Posted by TF110

I don't know if Derani would be a good choice over someone like Lotterer or Duval who are both more experienced

I'm not saying that is my dream team (I would pick Lotterer any day), just what I think will happen.

My dream team would be Lotterer-Jani-Brundle, but in a Porsche and not a Toyota

[roderick]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Midweek Motorsports twitter seems to confirm that TMG will run three cars next season, not just at LM, but the first three rounds of next season.

I'm not too sure if this is any confirmation of No of cars.
TMG had always planned 3 car calender to be sure. But toyota hasn't made their decision on 3 cars yet!

[TF110]

I don't know where Lotterer fits in the Porsche camp. There seems no indication of a third car and the new full-time drivers are supposed to be from inside their current crop. He's too good to be left hanging though, so I guess Porsche might make room for him. If Toyota can't get him, they should look to Duval.

[chernaudi]

Duval makes about as much sense as Lotterer to Porsche aside from the fact that Audi and Porsche are part of Volkwagen Group. Duval has no ties to Toyota, as he raced for Honda in Super GT, and Audi and Peugeot in LMP1.

Probably only way TMG get Lotterer is if he gets a full season ride, which is unlikely.

[TF110]

Duval raced alongside Kazuki Nakajima in Super GT before. The last time he was in Super Formula (in 2014), he ran a Toyota. I doubt anything Audi has interests him, unless he likes GT3. He already has a seat in Formula E (that's not Audi) and it's not likely Porsche would take him, especially if they don't try to get Lotterer. I think he'll either sit out or maybe get a chance to test for Toyota at least.

[J Jay]

I would be surprised if Duval (and Di Grassi) stuck to FE and didn't take on anything else. The clashes probably rule out a full-season commitment to anybody in the WEC, but like Lotterer they are too good (if not quite as good as Andre) to be left alone.