WEC Toyota LMP1 Discussion - Page 71

TF110 · 16 Jan 2015, 19:57 (Ref:3493399)

They tweeted about it earlier today http://twitter.com/Toyota_Hybrid/sta...34398962089984. They also said the launch will be at the prologue test in March. But they have public tests before then so maybe we'll get spy shots.

cokata · 16 Jan 2015, 22:41 (Ref:3493442)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giba

According to Sportscar 365, Toyota have completed a 3 day rest at Ricard with there 2015 spec car.

Article does mention that there will be more information on Jan 30th

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/t...-test-of-2015/

Quote:

Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima were at the wheel of the updated LMP1 machine over the three-day test in the south of France.

I'm really hoping that this is the new #1 crew.

Bandicoot17 · 16 Jan 2015, 22:43 (Ref:3493443)

Yeah that'd probably be the quickest line up in P1 imo

TF110 · 16 Jan 2015, 23:26 (Ref:3493449)

I had that same thought!

But, the new driver ballast for weight will be against them as they're all relatively light.

If those 3 are in one car, Nakajima is quoted at 62kg, Buemi is 68kg and Davidson is 56kg! Average for them is 62kg.

If the other 3 pair up, Wurz is 79kg, Sarrazin is 69kg and Conway is 64kg. Average for them is 70.6kg.

cokata · 16 Jan 2015, 23:56 (Ref:3493454)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

I had that same thought!

But, the new driver ballast for weight will be against them as they're all relatively light.

If those 3 are in one car, Nakajima is quoted at 62kg, Buemi is 68kg and Davidson is 56kg! Average for them is 62kg.

If the other 3 pair up, Wurz is 79kg, Sarrazin is 69kg and Conway is 64kg. Average for them is 70.6kg.

Nope. More like the heavier guys should be more competitive. Anyways a light crew will still have the advantage of lower CoG.

Bandicoot17 · 19 Jan 2015, 21:51 (Ref:3494243)

Autohebdo apparently saying JEV's testing the Toyota, maybe next week at Aragon

MyNameIsNigel · 19 Jan 2015, 22:10 (Ref:3494258)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

Autohebdo apparently saying JEV's testing the Toyota, maybe next week at Aragon

Indeed, but Vasselon suggests that all the official drivers are not available for the next test at Aragon and that they are therefore looking for other drivers to attend this test.

Could be that Toyota are also looking for a new reserve driver.

cokata · 19 Jan 2015, 22:11 (Ref:3494260)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

Autohebdo apparently saying JEV's testing the Toyota, maybe next week at Aragon

I like JEV a lot. But who is going to drop out? Conway not getting the seat after all?

gustavobamba · 19 Jan 2015, 22:13 (Ref:3494262)

Are they evaluating a 3rd car??????????? In Le Mans of corse!!!

Bandicoot17 · 19 Jan 2015, 22:13 (Ref:3494263)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Indeed, but Vasselon suggests that all the official drivers are not available for the next test at Aragon and that they are therefore looking for other drivers to attend this test.

Could be that Toyota are also looking for a new reserve driver.

Interesting none the less, I wonder what sort of financial backing he has.

I seem to remember someone on here saying Toyota were going to be taking both cars to tests this year, therefore the suggestion that some drivers can't attend + JEV makes some sense.

TF110 · 20 Jan 2015, 02:08 (Ref:3494333)

Yes, Toyota should have two cars at their tests. Jev could step in for Nakajima when he does his Super Formula and/or SuperGT races. If he isn't alone I'd be surprised. And if another 'pay driver' shows up I wonder if the third car rumor is more substantial!

cokata · 20 Jan 2015, 06:50 (Ref:3494365)

Well excluding Maldonado for obvious reasons it can be anyone from Perez, Gutierrez, or Sutil.

TF110 · 20 Jan 2015, 06:56 (Ref:3494367)

Sutil, Jev and Kobayashi. That'd be a good lineup imo.

Maverick248 · 20 Jan 2015, 07:56 (Ref:3494379)

Is it not too late to work on a third car?

GT6 · 20 Jan 2015, 08:43 (Ref:3494380)

I have always thought that Toyota will be entering a third car for Le Mans. with all the other manufacturers having 3 cars the pressure on them to do the same will i am sure force them to do that, Well i hope they do anyway

**joeb** · 20 Jan 2015, 15:40 (Ref:3494481)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick248

Is it not too late to work on a third car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT6

I have always thought that Toyota will be entering a third car for Le Mans. with all the other manufacturers having 3 cars the pressure on them to do the same will i am sure force them to do that, Well i hope they do anyway

It may be too late for somebody to swoop in with a big budget and convince Toyota to run a 3rd car. After all, they would have had to put in for the 3rd entry months ago.

Bandicoot17 · 20 Jan 2015, 15:57 (Ref:3494488)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

It may be too late for somebody to swoop in with a big budget and convince Toyota to run a 3rd car. After all, they would have had to put in for the 3rd entry months ago.

Is there a deadline for putting in an entry though? I'm sure the ACO would much rather have a 3rd Toyota than a 10th GTE AM 458 for instance.

If indeed they go for the third car (doubt it'll happen but you know), then they'd have until Spa to build up the car and all that. There's not even any real reason to do Spa.

Have we got a figure for what Toyota's budget actually is?? Ive seen 50 million (euros??) talked about. How much would it cost them to build up one car and run it soley at the 24??

MyNameIsNigel · 20 Jan 2015, 16:29 (Ref:3494506)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

Is there a deadline for putting in an entry though? I'm sure the ACO would much rather have a 3rd Toyota than a 10th GTE AM 458 for instance.

The deadline for putting an entry for the entire WEC season expires on January 30th, but - unless I am mistaken - one can submit an entry on a race by race basis until a few weeks before each event.

In theory, Toyota could therefore submit a third car entry for LM a few weeks before the LM Test Day.

EDIT: Here is what the Sporting Regulations say:

Quote:

ELIGIBLE CARS AND FUEL
16. A. Eligible cars
(...)
h) For the 24-Hour Event only, the manufacturers registered for the FIA World Endurance Championship may enter a 3rd car; however only the points of the 2 best cars will count for the Manufacturers’ Championship title.
(...)
39. C. Competitors entering "additional" cars
"Additional" competitors, considered as such by the Selection Committee, must enter in conformity with the entry procedure described in the Sporting Regulations (Article 39 A).
However, and in dispensation of Article 39 A, these competitors must send their full dossier at the latest eight weeks before the beginning of the Event concerned (reminder: an Event begins upon the opening of the administrative checks).
(...)

Deleted · 20 Jan 2015, 16:51 (Ref:3494515)

No, "race by race" thing doesn't apply for LM, only 'regular' races. Otherwise you couldn't lock in the 56 starters + 10 reserves in February. The only exception is if they run out of reserves

MyNameIsNigel · 20 Jan 2015, 16:52 (Ref:3494516)

You're correct, there are indeed specific conditions of entry for LM. These appear to provide that the closing date for submitting an entry expires on January 27th, 2015.

Deleted · 20 Jan 2015, 17:11 (Ref:3494523)

They could still enter the third car before 27th deadline, whether or not it('s about to) actually exist, and withdraw it later. You wouldn't really loose anything by doing so, it would create extra positive PR buzz and make 'em look like they mean business. Withdraw could be explained by some lazy but passable excuse later on, like "chassis" got burned down in accidental fire or something

TF110 · 21 Jan 2015, 03:00 (Ref:3494667)

They probably have a third car built up, or at least a third chassis etc. Itd make sense especially since theyre supposed to run two cars in their tests. The issue is with money to run that third car. Pay drivers just might solve that since Toyota is reluctant.

TF110 · 21 Jan 2015, 18:56 (Ref:3494899)

Video interview with Buemi at Paul Ricard, can anyone translate his French? Nigel?

http://youtu.be/nYtKFpV81So

MyNameIsNigel · 21 Jan 2015, 19:13 (Ref:3494912)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Video interview with Buemi at Paul Ricard, can anyone translate his French? Nigel?

http://youtu.be/nYtKFpV81So

Not much info about the new car I am afraid, but this is not surprising. Only part of the video interview actually relates to the TS040 test that Toyota was running at the time. The video was apparently taken during the second day of testing at Paul Ricard as Buemi mentions that they still had one day of testing left. He seems very satisfied with the new car, stressing however that they still have some work ahead. He also suggests that they are working hard towards winning LM which is - unsurprisingly - one aim for 2015 in addition to keeping the WEC crown. That pretty much sums it up.

It's a shame that the guys who recorded the video did not bother taking a few pictures of the new car

TF110 · 21 Jan 2015, 19:25 (Ref:3494923)

I would expect that! Toyota being secretive again. Thanks for the translation, pity it was trivial information.

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