[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by ederss7

Tell me then the last time a car entered by Audi Sport Team Joest or Audi Sport North America failed to finish Le Mans due to a technical failure... This has never happened.
Also, last year Toyota had 3 failures while Audi had only 1. IMHO, on the reliability side, Audi is on another level.

It's not about failing to finish - it's about failing to win the race.

I'm at work so don't have time to detail all the times Audi R18 iterations have been wheeled back into the garage at Le Mans. It's quite a few. Did you watch this year's race? Audi were there for the taking but no one was able to capitalise.

[ederss7]

I wasn't considering that crash in 2007...
This year's race was completely unusual for them. As far as I know the R18 had only two major problems: last year's alternator change and turbo change this year. Its much better having to replace turbo in both cars and still making a 1-2 finish than break down and retire from the race.

[Maelochs]

But ... the time lost in the pits making repairs Could have cost them the race, except their competition broke. Again, Audi counted on the rest to lose instead of winning itself--gambled on the opposition not lasting instead of being faster (in race pace) than the opposition.

I look at Fuji as an anomaly--Audi usually doesn't miss the mark that badly. Shanghai will tell more if Audi will actually race to win, or just to last and hope the others lose.

Toyota is fast, and now it lasts. Porsche is fast, and even though it is brand new, still finishes races. Audi ... well, they finish.

Audi the imaginary flawless endurance giant really doesn't exist. Audi does a lot more spending and testing, and their level of preparation is unmatched 9in part, because of the budget) but they still make mistakes, they still have mechanical and driver failures. They still make bad strategic decisions.

In 2015 we should have three solid teams and one newcomer--Audi will have to do more than limp around waiting for the other teams to break.

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

But ... the time lost in the pits making repairs Could have cost them the race, except their competition broke. Again, Audi counted on the rest to lose instead of winning itself--gambled on the opposition not lasting instead of being faster (in race pace) than the opposition.

In 2015 we should have three solid teams and one newcomer--Audi will have to do more than limp around waiting for the other teams to break.

But, that's not what has been happening...

The Audis have been fast all season, until Fuji. At Silverstone they were quick but poor decisions in the wet conditions took them out earlier than expected. At Spa, despite using a questionable package, they were able to beat the #7 on pure pace. At Le Mans, the #2 was able to run at the same pace as the leading #7, only about a minute or so behind, for hours and hours until the Toyota went out. At CotA before the rain came, the Audis were able to double stint early on and that gave them a net speed advantage on the Toyotas.

Another misconception you seem to have is the unreliability of their rivals. Porsche have had issues, sure, but Audi aren't competing with Porsche for wins, they're competing with the might of Koln. And the TS040 has had near perfect, if not perfect, reliability this season. Certainly much better than the Audi. Other than the infamous FIA sensor failure, I can't think of a reliability issue the Toyotas have had this season. At Lemans, the #8 crashed early by Lapierre's hands, but otherwise ran near flawlessly for the full 24 hours. Which is something that can;t be said for the Audis.

[GasperG]

Oil pump or something like that in #7 in qualy?

[TF110]

Audi was fast at Silverstone by .2, but crashed and went less laps per stint. That was the first actual race for everyone. The setups couldve been for mixed conditions, so thats up for interpretation. Spa, Audi was not fast. Their High DF package was left behind. The low DF package was slightly better towards the latter half of the race. Le Mans qualifying, the best Audi was 1.4 seconds off Toyota, but they were quick in the race (after both Toyotas had issues). Austin Audi was .4 slower than Toyota on ultimate pace, but we know who was clearly the fastest car (#8). And now Fuji.

I think theyll be as far back at Shanghai. Thats a power circuit and the length will play into the Porsche and Toyota 6mj category.

[Simmi]

Conway confirmed for Bahrain.

Will be interesting to see his dry pace over some stints and how he stacks up. He's basically auditioning for the drive.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116354

Also a little bit more about Lapierre in there. Seems it's a family issue that's keeping him out. Hope it's not too bad. I still think his performances (and a championship on the line) might have played into it in part.

[chernaudi]

The family issue couldn't have done his mental state at COTA especially any favors at all. And I'm glad that Toyota--like Audi with Duval and his injuries after the LM accident--realize that there are more important things in life than racing.

[TF110]

Its a compounded issue with Lapierre. His "wet weather woes" aren't new this year. Recall Le Mans 2013- when he hit the tire barrier at the entrance to the Porsche curves. Honestly I think he just cant drive as cautiously in the wet as his teammates. Sure, Conway tapped the barrier at COTA, but he at least got it back going. I think he's Nissan bound with Sarrazin.

[TF110]

Mike Conway confirmed for Bahrain. And more testing in Estoril http://autosport.pt/le-mans-no-estor...-lmp1=f127737#

[Hawkwood]

Toyota are known to have taken up the options on all 6 regular drivers (Autosport, 15 Oct).

Why would they do that only to let Lapierre and/or Sarrazin mosey on over to a direct rival in Nissan?

[TF110]

Maybe Nissan will have to pay to take them from Toyota.

[Deleted]

Dagys now saying "A third car for Le Mans has been ruled out". Not sure if that is new info or just based on the old statements from Toyota which said they were highly unlikely to get more candy money from higher board

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Dagys now saying "A third car for Le Mans has been ruled out". Not sure if that is new info or just based on the old statements from Toyota which said they were highly unlikely to get more candy money from higher board

Toyota have yet to decide on the budget amount for next season. That comes in November just like in previous season's.

In more immediate news, is it still only Buemi and Davidson in Shanghai? Read this tweet and you see no mention of Lapierre...

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by TF110

In more immediate news, is it still only Buemi and Davidson in Shanghai? Read this tweet and you see no mention of Lapierre...

It was recently confirmed (cannot recall where though...) that Lapierre would also miss the Shanghai race. I am not even sure that he will race at Bahrein...

[MyNameIsNigel]

AUTOhebdo confirm that Nicolas Lapierre will not race for the final three races of the 2014 season. It remains to be seen if he will stay with the team next season I guess...

Autosport.com indicate that he unfortunately is having to cope with a serious illness in his family...

I do wish the best to Lapierre and his family.

[TF110]

They got it from Toyota's website PR for Shanghai. I think Lapierre is on his way out But good luck to him and whatever hes going through.

[Great Dane]

John Dagys has also confirmed that Lapierre will sit out the rest of the season.

[Simmi]

Nico's tweets a couple of days ago indicated that he was hoping to race. So that to me says he's been benched. Sarrazin might be off to Nissan but they haven't taken him out of the car.

@Nico_Lapierre · Oct 28
1/2 @Toyota_Hybrid decided to finish the season with two drivers in car #8, I have to accept it.
#lookingforwardto2015

https://twitter.com/Nico_Lapierre

[tyronnezx]

i wouldnt be too bothered if Lapierre goes. He has made some seriously costly mistakes that's cost the team wins and id rather see him replaced with someone more capable of handling the wet. All the best for him and the family though. its a clear indication that he's sitting out the rest of the season to stop any sensitive data going to Nissan.

i dont understand Stphane leaving though. Toyota is clearly a better fit for him given the Wrc links with TMG and his rally ambitions?

errm...Simon Pagenaud or Button to TMG anyone?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

i wouldnt be too bothered if Lapierre goes. He has made some seriously costly mistakes that's cost the team wins and id rather see him replaced with someone more capable of handling the wet. All the best for him and the family though. its a clear indication that he's sitting out the rest of the season to stop any sensitive data going to Nissan.

i dont understand Stphane leaving though. Toyota is clearly a better fit for him given the Wrc links with TMG and his rally ambitions?

errm...Simon Pagenaud or Button to TMG anyone?

Button... perhaps slightly possible, but all the rumours connecting him to LMP1 say Porsche. Pagenaud - no chance, fourth full-season Penske seat in Indycar next year (but has admitted having talked to Nissan before the Penske deal).

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

errm...Simon Pagenaud or Button to TMG anyone?

Pagenaud has been covered (he's onto a good thing in Indycar, best of luck!), and I'm not sure Button would be willing to take the pay cut TMG would need when Porsche could probably offer more.

[TF110]

Realistically, if they drop Lapierre, Conway replaces him in the #8. If they drop Sarrazin, he goes in the #7. If they drop both, I think Kobayashi comes into play before 'expensive' Button. Theres news that Force India are using the TMG windtunnel next year. Thats leading some to speculate one of their drivers will make the jump. I took that with a big grain of salt.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by TF110

Realistically, if they drop Lapierre, Conway replaces him in the #8. If they drop Sarrazin, he goes in the #7. If they drop both, I think Kobayashi comes into play before 'expensive' Button. Theres news that Force India are using the TMG windtunnel next year. Thats leading some to speculate one of their drivers will make the jump. I took that with a big grain of salt.

If everyone who used the TMG windtunnel started getting linked to drives with Toyota that would be a lot of F1 drivers.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If everyone who used the TMG windtunnel started getting linked to drives with Toyota that would be a lot of F1 drivers.

The opposite was the alleged rumor, actually. Not sure why or who would go to f1 for force india. I assume they just saw Perez not being signed on and put together a silly theory