[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[S griffin]

Well at least he had a chance. But it would been nice to go on a bit longer. But he’ll be back in a category that he’s won in the past.

[Deleted]

“Last year it was the very first race [of the season]. It was important to allow the EoT to converge quickly,” said Vasselon. “In order not to confuse the EoT last year we had an agreement with the ACO and FIA to run the quali lap like a race lap.”
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...y-notebook-10/

???

[TzeiTzei]

Originally Posted by Chiana

“Last year it was the very first race [of the season]. It was important to allow the EoT to converge quickly,” said Vasselon. “In order not to confuse the EoT last year we had an agreement with the ACO and FIA to run the quali lap like a race lap.”
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...y-notebook-10/

???

The article mentions turbo boost, but the turbo doesn't really give you any more power if the engine is fuel limited like it is. He probably means the use of hybrid power. In race conditions they have to run a sustainable level of hybrid boost to recover every lap the same amount they use. In qualifying you can do a slow lap, charge everything up and then do a flying lap with as much electric power as you are allowed to use.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by TzeiTzei

The article mentions turbo boost, but the turbo doesn't really give you any more power if the engine is fuel limited like it is. He probably means the use of hybrid power. In race conditions they have to run a sustainable level of hybrid boost to recover every lap the same amount they use. In qualifying you can do a slow lap, charge everything up and then do a flying lap with as much electric power as you are allowed to use.

The hybrid power per lap is the same in race and qualifying conditions but I'm sure they use it more strategically in the race. The "boost" from the turbo would probably be something in line with maximizing the 3-lap average of fuel usage over 1 lap, unless they don't do that type of monitoring anymore.

[Deleted]

Toyota is ****ed at the ACO
https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/toyota-delay-hypercar-rules-ridiculous/4381182/
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-frustrated-by-lack-of-hypercar-rules-action/

Interesting bits:

Leupen also stated that Toyota could not tolerate a delay in the new rules and that the 2019/20 campaign will definitely be the last one for the current TS050 Hybrid. "We have no intention to continue with this car after the 2019/20 season, under current circumstances,” he said.

-- “We have no GTE car. The [Lexus] LFA is old, the Supra is not in this category. I would assume exit for us [if the WEC pursued this].”

-- “If other manufacturers want to use their road cars, so be it. For us we have not seen this as more cost-efficient. But it is up to the ACO, the FIA plus the manufacturers who want it. It’s a bit sad we cannot confirm our participation; we still have to wait.”

-- Leupen also hinted that Toyota would only be satisfied with racing in a prototype-based class without other high-end OEM manufacturers for one season. -- "With all respect to Kolles and Glickenhaus, it’s not a match. We would like to continue, but with the expectation that maybe the season after next that we are not the only manufacturer"

[ApexTurtle]

Very good comments, and looking at Neveus comments earlier today I think frustration is starting to get to a boiling point soon enough. Let's hope that plan B is anything good!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Toyota is ****ed at the ACO

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/...ulous/4381182/

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...-rules-action/



Interesting bits:



Leupen also stated that Toyota could not tolerate a delay in the new rules and that the 2019/20 campaign will definitely be the last one for the current TS050 Hybrid. "We have no intention to continue with this car after the 2019/20 season, under current circumstances,” he said.



-- “We have no GTE car. The [Lexus] LFA is old, the Supra is not in this category. I would assume exit for us [if the WEC pursued this].”



-- “If other manufacturers want to use their road cars, so be it. For us we have not seen this as more cost-efficient. But it is up to the ACO, the FIA plus the manufacturers who want it. It’s a bit sad we cannot confirm our participation; we still have to wait.”



-- Leupen also hinted that Toyota would only be satisfied with racing in a prototype-based class without other high-end OEM manufacturers for one season. -- "With all respect to Kolles and Glickenhaus, it’s not a match. We would like to continue, but with the expectation that maybe the season after next that we are not the only manufacturer"

Can't blame him for being mad at the rules makers. Toyota made a commitment with the expectation that they were committing to a hypercar rules package, and now it possibly isn't certain. Plus they will have to spend more to meet the deadlines since they are still waiting on final rules. It is nice to hear the team principal give a little info on what goes on behind the scenes.

[S griffin]

Well it seems they aren’t keeping secrets only from the public. No guarantee of the future is bad form. If the rulemakers are not careful, more teams will leave

[TF110]

It seems like things were all ready to go and someone or a couple/few someone's said they couldn't or didn't want to make a prototype/hypercar and instead wanted to do something 'easier'. Probably easier as in take a car already racing and add some go-fast parts. I don't want hot-rod GTE's with less ballast. Toyota doesn't either it seems. The only car in their future that could serve as a basis for a GTE or GTE+ would be the upcoming Lexus LC F. But who knows when that's available.

Poor form from the rule makers on this one.

Talk about the current car though, another lap record from Spa. I do wonder if we'll see them go and challenge the 3:14.7 at Le Mans qualifying. Also along this point it seems there's some conflicting info or some weird wording. Do they not want to race the TS050 for an additional year or is it reasonable for them to do just one more if new rules come out?

[S griffin]

It’s very confusing atm. No clear solution for the future. And there are so many good options out there, they more advanced GTEs. It seems it was a good series while it lasted

At least the cars are exciting to watch a places like Spa and LM. But the future looks bleak, will they stick to the current rules or move on?

[chernaudi]

I'm just waiting to see the new evolution for LM and the sprint package for this coming season. All we have so far is pretty much TF110's new avatar/profile pic and 1-2 other photos buried in this thread.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

I'm just waiting to see the new evolution for LM and the sprint package for this coming season. All we have so far is pretty much TF110's new avatar/profile pic and 1-2 other photos buried in this thread.

They'll probably need to test it again after Le Mans sometime this summer. Since the new season is in September at Silverstone.

[S griffin]

I can’t wait to see it in the flesh. Certainly if it’s any better than the current car, the opposition are in big trouble. Not long to go now

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can’t wait to see it in the flesh.

Are you going to Silverstone?

[S griffin]

I meant seeing it in pictures.

[Aysedasi]

Are you in the UK? Why not get yourself a ticket and go along?

[S griffin]

Well it’s a nice idea, although I have tickets to see the BTCC at Silverstone that month. Definitely though if I ever get an opportunity to see live motorsport, I will take it

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well it seems they aren’t keeping secrets only from the public. No guarantee of the future is bad form. If the rulemakers are not careful, more teams will leave

Toyota is not leaving today cause those guys in Cologne can't find any replacement (ndr: other series). In the meantime they will win twice Le Mans 24 hours for the price of one.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Toyota is not leaving today cause those guys in Cologne can't find any replacement (ndr: other series). In the meantime they will win twice Le Mans 24 hours for the price of one.

F1 is up in the air but not with the current rules and regulations. It genuinely seems that they want to be in the wec, not because it's easy wins. In fact they said the opposite and don't want to be only running against Rebellion's and ByKolles's but other manufacturers.

[Lutzvic]

Thomas Laurent Toyota driver for 2019-20 WEC!!!

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Lutzvic

Thomas Laurent Toyota driver for 2019-20 WEC!!!

Test and reserve driver.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/0...r-2019-20.html

[Aysedasi]

Hmmm, so what does he know that we don't?

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Hmmm, so what does he know that we don't?

Well, hopefully nothing that pertains to Rebellion not continuing.

[rich07]

Doubt it has anything to do with Rebellion. If the only factory team in LMP1 come knocking and offer a reserve driver gig, most offered would jump at the chance. Puts him in good stead if Toyota stay in the class and need to replace one of their current drivers.

[hondafan37]

The new Toyota Hypercar looks very nice too