Audi LMP1 Discussion

[Scooter185]

While I'll be rooting for Toyota, the Audi r18 is the most awesome looking race car designed IMO. Can't wait for the WEC to get underway.

[TF110]

I think the Toyota looks better. The front end of the Audi looks like a duck IMO. But it's still cool. The rear wing solution compared to the 2012 Toyota's...

[MitchZ06]

I prefer the R18 over the TS030, I've always liked the Audi's over the Peugeots because to me they're just a bit more aggressive and look alot tougher than the fragile look of the 908s and TS030s.

[vincegail]

Official statement by Audi regarding their Sebring entrance:
https://www.audi-motorsport.info/v2/...single/id/6669

One 2012 and one 2013 car will participate.
Drivers: Marcel Fässler/Oliver Jarvis/Benoît Tréluyer and Lucas di Grassi/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish.

[chernaudi]

Lotterer is out of Sebring because of a prior commitment in Japan (as noted in the Sebring entry thread), per Martin Pass/DSC on Twitter.

[gwyllion]

More highlights of the 2013 aero evolutions:




Audi went back to a solution from 2011:

source: http://lemansprototypes.over-blog.it...-74320098.html

[gwyllion]

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjan13.html also points out the major changes in the 2013 aero package.

As expected, the changes at the front (slotted covering panel and bigger wheel well exit) help to compensate for the additional downforce of the full width rear wing.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

I prefer the R18 over the TS030, I've always liked the Audi's over the Peugeots because to me they're just a bit more aggressive and look alot tougher than the fragile look of the 908s and TS030s.

Fragile look huh? They're both alike. Guess I don't see that. The main difference is the width of the nose cone. That and the R18's (huge) headlights are the only drawback in looks IMO.

[MitchZ06]

I dunno why but that's just how they look to me, the R18 on the other hand looks like it's made of solid steel or something, almost indestructible. I guess it's all in the shape of the cockpit, nose, fenders front and rear, etc, etc.....oh, and it's my opinion.

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by TF110

Fragile look huh? They're both alike. Guess I don't see that. The main difference is the width of the nose cone. That and the R18's (huge) headlights are the only drawback in looks IMO.

Yea those huge LED headlights that provide the best lighting in the field are a huge drawback

[CTD]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

Yea those huge LED headlights that provide the best lighting in the field are a huge drawback

It has been talked about that Audi's LED lights are so bright that it makes it hard for the GTE drivers to judge on which side they are overtaking, so that's a drawback

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by CTD

It has been talked about that Audi's LED lights are so bright that it makes it hard for the GTE drivers to judge on which side they are overtaking, so that's a drawback

Thats "inconvenient" for GTE drivers but not a drawback to the car.

The lights were designed to put out as much lighting as possible for night driving and they do.

[Creep89]

Originally Posted by CTD

It has been talked about that Audi's LED lights are so bright that it makes it hard for the GTE drivers to judge on which side they are overtaking, so that's a drawback

And that you can not judge whether the R18 is quite near to your car or some meters behind, because the only thing GTE drivers notice is bright white light.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

Thats "inconvenient" for GTE drivers but not a drawback to the car.

The lights were designed to put out as much lighting as possible for night driving and they do.

That's why headlights should be regulated by ACO to benefit the safety of the race, not just certain cars.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

Yea those huge LED headlights that provide the best lighting in the field are a huge drawback

Well; "are the only drawback in looks IMO" I don't like how they look or how big they are. I bet they're plenty bright though!

[cdsvg]

Great pics of the cutaway R18 - http://fourtitude.com/galleries/?c=s...taway;i=0;pg=1. Interesting that it seems to use rear coil springs, didnt they previously use torsion bars?

[chernaudi]

I don't know what was up with the cutaway car, but Audi Sport official specs did say pushrods front, pullrods rear, both working telescopic shocks/dampers and torsion bar springs.

[gwyllion]

We already knew that the pull rod rear suspension from the 2012 R18 uses coil springs, instead of torsion bars.

source: http://www.gurneyflap.com/GURNEY2/12fos.html

BTW The picture above was used from this drawing:

source: http://lemansprototypes.over-blog.it...111181569.html

[gwyllion]

In http://www.motorsport.com/alms/news/...-r18-in-japan/ Dr. Ullrich explains why Lotterer will not go to Sebring.

We have tried to divide the test and race program for the 2013 season equally amongst our drivers. And as Andre, for example, has beside the race and intense testing program with the R18 a program in Japan too, we gave Olly the chance to get milage in the car.

Audi will reveal its driver lineup for the rest of the year on February 1st, after the official FIA WEC press conference.

[TF110]

has beside the race and intense testing program with the R18 a program in Japan too

That statement is weird. "And" or "an" intense testing program? A program in Japan too...? So they aren't saying what he's doing unless he's testing the R18 in Japan. But that time of year? I doubt the weather is ideal, so it must be another racing series.

[chernaudi]

To the best of my (limited I admit) knowledge, Lotterer's Sebring weekend commitment has nothing to do directly with any Audi program--I've read Super GT has something to do with it, but from reading that thread, I don't think that Andre has a ride in that series right now, so I'm thinking that it's Formula Nippon, as FN and SGT often share weekends(?).

[TF110]

The first round of SuperGT isn't until April. A good bit of time after Sebring.

[MitchZ06]

Could be testing for SuperGT?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by TF110

That statement is weird. "And" or "an" intense testing program? A program in Japan too...? So they aren't saying what he's doing unless he's testing the R18 in Japan. But that time of year? I doubt the weather is ideal, so it must be another racing series.

Think you're reading too much into a jumbled sentence from a guy who doesn't have English as a first language. If I'd written the piece I would have tidied up the quote a bit.

[gwyllion]

Indeed. The commitment of Lotterer is probably a personal sponsor or an Audi Japan thing, or a test session of Formula Nippon.

When Audi goes to Sebring, they go for a few weeks. Some testing at Homestead, the Sebring week, and afterwards so more testing with all drivers.