[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[airbusA346]

Wonder what they'll do with the drivers, because it says they'll keep the LMP1 team fully intact.

[GTRMagic]

It is such a shame

[Lagunaseca_4life]

Originally Posted by TF110

At least in lmp1, they can do what they're quoted as saying they can (but really can't) do in F-E. The only thing you can develop there is the drivetrain. No battery, no chassis, no aero etc. I really feel like it's just jumping on a bandwagon of appearing green for cheap.

Pretty much........

[chernaudi]

Based on Spa this weekend, we can maybe guess that one of them (who appears to be on loan from Audi Sport) might be headed "back home".

And FE is just playing the green card for cheap. It seems to me that VAG are trying to shake off the dieselgate image and spending millions of dollars a season running hybrid cars when they can run an electric billboard for a very small fraction of that cost.

I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota does the same thing eventually. FE is trendy and though I don't like it, car makers do because it promotes a green image and is cheap. Why do we think that Mercedes-Benz and BMW are there, especially considering the possible EU/German Gov't lawsuit against them and VAG for anti-trust/anti-competitive practices in the German auto industry?

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Based on Spa this weekend, we can maybe guess that one of them (who appears to be on loan from Audi Sport) might be headed "back home".

Surely that should say "on loan to Audi Sport"

[chernaudi]

I don't think that Lotterer either gave up his Audi Sport contract or his contract is with VAG as a whole. You also have to remember that every Audi Sport LMP1 driver did have an option in their contract that should the program get canceled they can do other things within VAG or in categories that VAG doesn't compete in. Which is why Jarvis is driving a Bentley in GT3 racing and JC/DCR in LMP2.

Only reason why Lotterer is with Porsche is either his Audi contract allowed him to exercise that option, or his contract is with VAG.

I find it a little too convenient for Andre to be with WRT in Spa during the week of the Porsche announcement.

[TF110]

Lotterer to Toyota next year

[Starfish Primer]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

Wonder what they'll do with the drivers, because it says they'll keep the LMP1 team fully intact.

Jani and Hartley to Formula e, Tandy and Bamber to GT racing, Lotterer going back to Audi and my biggest question mark is Bernhard.

[chernaudi]

Doubt it if his contract is with Audi Sport or Volkswagen Group and he doesn't have an opt out clause. Also, TMG have plenty of drivers on staff already, especially if they revert back to running two cars at LM next season.

Granted, we already know that Nico Lapierre won't be back because of LM this year, but even that would leave 8 drivers between two cars.

Unless there's an opt out clause in his contract or it expires (and he gets a paid, full season ride), I don't seen Lotterer going back to Toyota.

I already know he won't do Formula E, he's publicly said he doesn't like it and won't do it if he can avoid it. That pretty much leaves Audi or Porsche GT3 or Porsche GTE/GTLM. Porsche's GTE/GTLM program is packed with drivers, the Porsche GT3 program doesn't seem to be doing too hot against Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, especially in IMSA. I know that the Porsche GT3s are doing better in VLN, but in IMSA and BGT they seem to be nowhere.

So when you add that up, he could be going back to Audi Sport or maybe Bentley or Lamborghini in GT3. Or maybe VAG have something to do with the reported mystery DPI program in IMSA.

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by Starfish Primer

Jani and Hartley to Formula e, Tandy and Bamber to GT racing, Lotterer going back to Audi and my biggest question mark is Bernhard.

Isn't Timo nearly the same age as Dumas and Leib? And he's a team owner VLN and the Spa 24 this year. Timo probably won't go anywhere as far as being allied to Porsche. But will he be an active driver after this year with no LMP1 program and no room in GTE/GTLM?

[bobec]

As expected, but probably not the right decision. The 919 had more life left in it.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by TF110

Lotterer to Toyota next year

A toast, to the finest of posts.

Lotterer could go back to Japan full time (no WEC = no SGT/SF conflicts) and reduce his VAG commitments to the big races. He has options though, even without FE on the table.

Tandy/Bamber to GT and Jani/Hartley to FE seem the most likely destinations. As for Bernhard, I think he'll stay in prototypes, but as an LMP2 hot shoe like Jarvis & Albuquerque. Or he can wait a little longer and see how LMP1 privateer plays out, which should have quite a few drives to choose from.

[chernaudi]

Depends on what his contract with Audi Sport/Volkswagen Group/whoever will allow him to do, or if he's in a contract year and he's willing to let it lapse.

[Simmi]

My question is how do you keep a P1 workforce on the books in FE? Will CORE end up being squeezed out in IMSA perhaps in favour of pure factory guys?

I'd assume we'll see 3 GTE Pro entries at least next year at Le Mans.

Not sure I'd be going to Toyota unless you want another one-year contract...

[bentley speed 8]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Not sure I'd be going to Toyota unless you want another one-year contract...

If he does go to Toyota, there is always GT500 where he would be very welcome.

Otherwise, how about Lotterer in the Bykolles? He's already driven for them before

[Spyderman]

Whilst my brain understands the reasons behind this decision, my heart is devastated.

GTE is almost dead for me and I will observe the development of the FE car with a distant interest. FE will have to change immensely before it will generate anything like the love and enthusiasm that I have for sportscar racing. I have always enjoyed motorsport that is about the car and not about the man. FE is not that sport. Not at the moment anyway.

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

I don't think that Lotterer either gave up his Audi Sport contract or his contract is with VAG as a whole. You also have to remember that every Audi Sport LMP1 driver did have an option in their contract that should the program get canceled they can do other things within VAG or in categories that VAG doesn't compete in. Which is why Jarvis is driving a Bentley in GT3 racing and JC/DCR in LMP2.

Only reason why Lotterer is with Porsche is either his Audi contract allowed him to exercise that option, or his contract is with VAG.

I find it a little too convenient for Andre to be with WRT in Spa during the week of the Porsche announcement.

I said that, because in his Spa 24h driver announcement, Lotterer said his employer is Porsche.

[Alex Langheck]

Disappointing but expected news. Part of me thinks this is on the ACO; they never learn. Budgets for the Hybrids were unsustainable - for what is 1 race (despite being a World Championship). Time for them to pull their finger out and sort out a proper LMP1 class - that is affordable......



FE is ticking the boxes for the Manufacturers; green, relatively small budget, and a growing media interest. What other new series has gained so many Manufacturers in such a small time? All that despite it being deadly dull.....

[JoeW04]

Just sad really, Formula E is one of the worst things to happen to motorsport, a bang wagon that manufactures can't seem to jump on quick enough right now, could see this happening when it first started. Also poor form from Porsche pulling the plug at short notice

[bobec]

Originally Posted by TF110

They're trying to remain relevant and attract big names to the series so that it's recognized.

True, but they didn't really attract any big names after Porsche (I'm not sure I can count Nissan)

[bobec]

Here's the official WEC response.

http://fiawec.com/en/news/wec-statem...from-lmp1/5324


Feels a little vain to me, and the beginning reads like a subtle accusation, or at least disappointment. I don't remember this in the Audi withdrawal statement.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by bobec

Here's the official WEC response.

http://fiawec.com/en/news/wec-statem...from-lmp1/5324


Feels a little vain to me, and the beginning reads like a subtle accusation, or at least disappointment. I don't remember this in the Audi withdrawal statement.

I think the ACO is a bit miffed because Porsche did commit to 2020 and was a part of shaping the regulations for that time.

[marcel82]

I think they are right to feel like Porsche stabbed them in the back. the departure of Porsche will cost them a lot of marketability, and may even cause Toyota to leave as well, making them even more unattractive to other manufacturers.

[Brake dust]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

Just sad really, Formula E is one of the worst things to happen to motorsport, a bang wagon that manufactures can't seem to jump on quick enough right now, could see this happening when it first started. Also poor form from Porsche pulling the plug at short notice

Have to agree with this and I am a big Porsche fan.

[Brake dust]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I think the ACO is a bit miffed because Porsche did commit to 2020 and was a part of shaping the regulations for that time.

Akrapovic - wasn't there some ifno that suggested Porsche was not in favour of some of those 2020 regs? The idea of the first kilometer after a pit stop must be run under electric is both contrived and lame.

The ACO/FIA got the regs right in 2014 - let the engineers detrmine the best way to design their cars.