Audi LMP1 Discussion

[Victor_RO]

So is this a sure sign that Dindo is retiring this year?

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

ILMC after Le Mans

• Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish
• Timo Bernhard/Marcel Fässler

Surely there will be a 3rd driver for each team at PLM? Too far off, I reckon...

[chernaudi]

I think that Audi went with Fassler and Timo because of them having a relative lack of date clashes--it seems that they wanted Rocky in the other car for a full season.

Allan and TK isn't much of a surprise, though, based on PLM and Zhuhai last year.

And of course, Audi are dodging the question of the R15 and what they'll do to it at Sebring. However, a lot of that is the fault of the ACO--will the grandfathered cars have equality, at least on paper, with the newer cars, or will it be like '05, where often times the newer cars had a clear advantage, at least in sprint races?

Hopefully some questions about the R15, and especially the R18, will be answered this week, though I do wonder what photog will have the will to stand out in the rain all day, as there is rain predicted for at least part of 3 days for the Audi test?

And if the R15 is caught with wider wheel bulges, and perhaps a modified front diffuser, we can't jump to conclusions, as just because they're testing it, doesn't mean they'll race it(and if the Audi PR is taken at face value, that means that the cars will be mostly in 2010 spec, with little else done to them, though again Audi tends to be tight lipped about anything with Peugeot and AMR reading/listening, until were close enough to the event for them to do anything to counter Audi). We might even see some bits on the R18 that might go or be used later.

And one question about Bernhard. He seemed to struggle the most with the R15, aside from Primat, but he did an excellent job in the RS Spyder. Since the R18 is more or less a closed LMP2 on steriods (wider tires, and perhaps more power), are Audi hoping that his experience with the LMP2 cars will help them?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

So is this a sure sign that Dindo is retiring this year?

Yes, the fact that Dindo is no doing any races after Le Mans seems to confirm the retirement rumor.

I wonder why Fassler was picked over Dumas for ILMC. Lotterer and Treluyer have their driving duties in Japan and Rockenfeller has his DTM job.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

And one question about Bernhard. He seemed to struggle the most with the R15, aside from Primat, but he did an excellent job in the RS Spyder. Since the R18 is more or less a closed LMP2 on steriods (wider tires, and perhaps more power), are Audi hoping that his experience with the LMP2 cars will help them?

I fail to see how experience with the RS Spyder is relevant for the R18. These 2 cars are different in so many aspects: weight (775 vs 900 kg), tyre size, open vs closed, engine characteristics (high revving NA petrol with instant throttle response vs torquey diesel with turbo lag), downforce level (R18 is designed for low drag), ...

[Tim the Grey]

As I thought earlier, run with what you have that you know will finish, and get what points you can...
Pretty top line driver set. So what are they up to, unless they need them there for the testing anyway?

[chernaudi]

Not very good signs for the Audi test, especally Tuesday--rain is predicted for at least part of three days (Tues afternoon, Wed morning, and Friday), with a chance for severe T'storms Tuesday afternoon and evening, per Weather.com.

Could Audi be doing endurance testing for the R18? And if so, would that be late in the week?

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

I fail to see how experience with the RS Spyder is relevant for the R18. These 2 cars are different in so many aspects: weight (775 vs 900 kg), tyre size, open vs closed, engine characteristics (high revving NA petrol with instant throttle response vs torquey diesel with turbo lag), downforce level (R18 is designed for low drag), ...

Bernhard also drove a Daytona Prototype for Penske in '09. That car has less power than the R18, less areo, narrower tires and was heavier than the R18.

The R18 is an LMP2 diesel with a roof, wider tires, and a heavier weight. The R18 will still have a better power to weight ratio compared to a DP, but it has a roof, and, compared to the R15, underpowered for it's weight, like the RS Spyder was from '08 and this year in the ALMS, and Bernhard, if not for a sputter at Road America, could've won there.

Either that, or he drove a '03 spec R8, restricted under those rules to similar power to the R18, and did well.

Very interested about Fassler as a choice, too. He's got a lot of GT experience, but most of those GT cars have power similar to the R15, but a Corvette C6R GT1 will probably make the same torque as the R18, but the R18 is a much lighter package. But both having GT or closed car experience might have been a factor in Audi Sport's choices. McNish also drove the Porsche 911 GT1 and the Toyota GT-One, and TK has touring car experince, and of course, Lotterer and Trulyer have Super GT expereince--Front engined LMPs with road-car silouette bodywork.

I think that Audi has chosen a good lineup, and certianly, last year showed us that they have a more equal driver lineup than in the past. But until they get out on track, we won't know for definitive sure.

And of course, there seems to be no news of the test from today.

[TF110]

I think the key this year will be in handling. So much power was made in the past that with the rule change it'll have to be time gained in turns. I think the wider tires will play a big part, as well as better aero. I think it's looking more like lesser powered closed F1 cars, reliance on aero will be great I bet.

[Tim the Grey]

Hmmm. I think I disagree there, as aero, with the best will in the world, is draggy. If you lose power, you tend to back off the aero!
This was one area of complaint re diesels at LM. They had so much more power that they could run aggressive aero, without losing out on top speed...

[Lola T70]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Bernhard also drove a Daytona Prototype for Penske in '09. That car has less power than the R18, less areo, narrower tires and was heavier than the R18.

The R18 is an LMP2 diesel with a roof, wider tires, and a heavier weight. The R18 will still have a better power to weight ratio compared to a DP, but it has a roof, and, compared to the R15, underpowered for it's weight, like the RS Spyder was from '08 and this year in the ALMS, and Bernhard, if not for a sputter at Road America, could've won there.

Either that, or he drove a '03 spec R8, restricted under those rules to similar power to the R18, and did well.

Very interested about Fassler as a choice, too. He's got a lot of GT experience, but most of those GT cars have power similar to the R15, but a Corvette C6R GT1 will probably make the same torque as the R18, but the R18 is a much lighter package. But both having GT or closed car experience might have been a factor in Audi Sport's choices. McNish also drove the Porsche 911 GT1 and the Toyota GT-One, and TK has touring car experince, and of course, Lotterer and Trulyer have Super GT expereince--Front engined LMPs with road-car silouette bodywork.

I think that Audi has chosen a good lineup, and certianly, last year showed us that they have a more equal driver lineup than in the past. But until they get out on track, we won't know for definitive sure.

And of course, there seems to be no news of the test from today.

I think the line up comes straight from last years Le Mans has been said on a few occasions and availability........ as is written in the press release.

It has nothing to do with certain drivers having driven a DP or LMP2 or cart and horse in their careers.

[Victor_RO]

It's more like the lack of LMP2 Porsches which means that Timo has a secure seat for the whole of the ILMC, since he can be loaned out to Audi for the whole season.

Off topic comment alert I have to type this or my brain will explode! Actually, what was the last time Bernhard and Dumas drove a GT Porsche in competition outside of national rallying and VLN? Thanks for reading, you've been a wonderful audience. Don't forget to try the veal and tip your waitress. We now return you to the topic

[Simmi]

They both drove the Hybrid at Petit a few months ago with Rocky. Le Mans winning line-up.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Simmi

They both drove the Hybrid at Petit a few months ago with Rocky. Le Mans winning line-up.

Excepting that one, sorry.

[chernaudi]

Personally, I think that Audi wanted a stable lineup of drivers, peferablebly with closed car experience, as this is Audi's first closed car since the '03 Bentley (an Audi Sport backed project). Of course, most current Audi LM drivers have such a background, but Timo and Romain don't have a full docket of races for someone else, since Porsche has scaled back their programs to customer racing.

Lotterer and Trulyer have contracts with Toyota and Nissan in Super GT that have yet to expire, so Audi couldn't get them. However, Timo and Romain are Porsche drivers who don't have a full season contract with Porsche, and Fassler is pretty much a full-time Audi driver now, since he has no '11 commitments for Corvette Racing.

Unless Audi convinced Dindo to stick around, which obviously isn't the case, as it seems that after LM he'll semi-retire from racing and likely won't drive an Audi LMP in anger again, we're left with Allan, who has a few good years left, and Tom, who wants to close out his career with Audi in and LMP and at the top of his game, which is why Dindo is retiring now.

And of course, all except Fassler have experince with cars of similar power, namely McNish and TK, who drove the R8 when it was restricted to about 550bhp.

Also makes one wonder with Andre and Ben being relatively young and being German and French born respectivly, if Audi may court them when their Toyota and Nissan contracts wrap up, to supplement and ultimately replace Allan and Tom when their time comes?

But that's a couple of years off at least, barring force majure. And I hope we hear something soon form the Sebring testing, even if it's the Audi guys being pelted with hailstones like LM test day '08.

[gwyllion]

You should not exaggerate the importance of experience in closed/GT cars. Most of Peugeot's drivers (e.g., Bourdais, Davidson, Gene, Montagny, Pagenaud, Wurz) come from single seaters and they adepted quite well to endurance racing in a closed prototype.

[KA]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Surely there will be a 3rd driver for each team at PLM? Too far off, I reckon...

They've also said that Dumas will be available for PLM if needed.

Dr Ullrich stated that DTM/ILMC date clashes were an issue influencing the lineup: 'Due to the clashing dates in the DTM and ILMC it wasn’t easy to form the driver squad' and mentioned Rocky's unavailability for the full-season as an example

[Simmi]

I kinda figured they would promote Rocky to a full-time programme this year. Obviously not.

[colt513]

I realize it is quite early to begin talking about 2012, but with Dindo seemingly retiring at the end of this year who do you think they will bring in to fill up their driver line up next year? (provided that they keep the rest of their driver line up static)

[Mal]

Originally Posted by colt513

I realize it is quite early to begin talking about 2012, but with Dindo seemingly retiring at the end of this year who do you think they will bring in to fill up their driver line up next year? (provided that they keep the rest of their driver line up static)

I would love to see Mattius Ekstrom in sportscars - I think he has the makings of a top sportscar pilot

[gwyllion]

Scheider could be another candidate. He has the speed (double DTM champion) and the necessary endurance experience (24 hours of Nurburgring and Spa winner).

[Simmi]

Yeah Scheider is a good shout. One interesting thing will be how would Audi go about giving new drivers seat time? If they were to promote from their DTM line-up, having the Kolles cars used to be great for giving drivers a chance to gain LMP1 experience.

Personally I'd love to see Oliver Jarvis make the step up.

[cmk]

I'm sure Audi wouldn't be short of private testing opportunities to get young guns into the car if they want to. They ran Lotterer, Fassler and Treluyer a bunch last winter before their race debuts in the R15+ for example. If they grab from within the company, Ekstrom and Scheider are the logical candidates. The DTM conflicts do suggest that it might be a better idea to pull from without, however, like they did for the above 3 new recruits...unless Scheider or Ekstrom is to leave DTM.

I thought Jarvis was getting groomed when he showed up at Okayama in a Kolles R10, but perhaps Audi decided they needed some young fast DTM prospects more?

[NightStalk3r]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Excepting that one, sorry.

Dumas drove a few rounds in the LMS with Felbermayr Proton last year(2010).

[Simmi]

Testing, testing. Here we go.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/old_boo...th/5390472447/