[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Roll out in 2013 could easily mean car on the ground, starting testing. It doesn't necessarily mean races entered, as you would think they would do some months of testing before racing. Though races in 2013 would be nice, if the car is ready.

Yes, but I'm not sure the car would be legal in 2013. They're just rolling the car out as early as Peugeot rolled out the second 908 (July 2010 for a racing debut in March 2011) in order to get as much testing time as possible.

[The Badger]

I would think their rollout means the start of track testing ..... lookin forward too see what Porsche will come up with on the aero tech side .

[porman]

Originally Posted by The Badger

I would think their rollout means the start of track testing ..... lookin forward too see what Porsche will come up with on the aero tech side .

Exactly! They have too much riding on their return to take it lightly, not that Porsche ever does that. I foresee a proper test schedule to give them a strong base for 2014.

I'm chomping at the bit to see this baby!!!!!

[ArnageWRC]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I feel possibly the opposite way, where by quite a lot of existing Porsche drivers will be passed over in favour of new blood.

Yeah, I feel they'll go after F1 drivers - to add to Dumas, Bernhard..Maybe they'll promote 1 or 2 of their GT drivers, but not as many as we think.

[GT3.14]

I would like to see Heidfeld there.

[ArnageWRC]

Originally Posted by GT3.14

I would like to see Heidfeld there.

I think Hindy tweeted something similar earlier this afternoon...

[GT3.14]

Fritz Enzinger (Head of the P1 project) used to be in charge of the BMW-Sauber operation apparently? Should be quite familiar with Nick then.

[Gingers4Justice]

It will be interesting to see the philosophy behind the car. With Audi, everything is quite mechanical and set up for Le Mans, while Toyota perhaps owes more to the F1 idea of detailed aero development making it more of an all-round racer.

My guess is Porsche will probably be a bit of both, given what is expected in Stuttgart and that a former F1 man is leading the project.

It's funny how England and its 'Motorsport Valley' is the hotbed of F1 teams and technologies, but Germany is fast becoming the endurance racing centre of the universe, with all three factory LMP1 teams being based there!

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by GT3.14

Fritz Enzinger (Head of the P1 project) used to be in charge of the BMW-Sauber operation apparently? Should be quite familiar with Nick then.

I think Heidfeld is nailed on for 2014 to be honest. It's not for nothing he was walking around the Porsche museum a few months ago.

The question is how Porsche will look to set up their drivers next year. Ideally Heidfeld would go out to the likes of Rebellion to gain a bit more experience of multi-class racing in addition to testing. Same with Vernay.

[Simmi]

Interesting to see the last three posts in the thread get used verbatim on twitter by

https://twitter.com/KurskiRacing

[rich07]

Didn't realize so many people on here were active on twitter.......

I think Porsche will go with a mix of established stars and ex F1 drivers.

Dumas and Bernhard are pretty much assured of a seat. Heidfeld looks like a strong possibility of joining them, I can't see him staying with a privateer if a factory team comes knocking. Not sure about the Mark Webber rumors to be honest, he might be still in F1 in 2014 and he has repeatedly said that he isn't in a hurry to return to le mans.

Porsche will need most of its GT stars for its GT cars so most of the current crop will stay there. Bergmeister and Lieb might step up, Lieb especially seems to be groomed in the model of Norbert Singer so I'm sure he'll be part of the P1 programme.

[wolfhound]

There are a lot of useful F1 drivers being tossed onto the scrap heap at the moment I expect some of them to end up in prototypes. I know some have said they don't want to do sports cars but if Porsche came knocking on the door.....

[The Badger]

Porsche has plenty of their own drivers already , they dont need any F1 or anybody else for that matter .

[CyberMotor]

Wondering if the new car will take some laps on this new track?...

http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25928/

A lot of history in the making here. The old Ford Assembly Plant was purchased by Porsche and will now be turned into Porsche North America's new headquarters. The track is near the airport so any noise from the demonstration track will be drowned out by the noise from the airport.

I would like to see the new LMP1 take some laps around this track.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Porsche has plenty of their own drivers already , they dont need any F1 or anybody else for that matter .

Just because they've been lapping GT machinery for years for Porsche doesn't mean they are going to move into the P1 car.

Obviously it's just one man's opinion but I think people who feel the likes of Lieb/Long/Bergmeister will race the LMP1 are mistaken.

[Porsche917K]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Just because they've been lapping GT machinery for years for Porsche doesn't mean they are going to move into the P1 car.

Obviously it's just one man's opinion but I think people who feel the likes of Lieb/Long/Bergmeister will race the LMP1 are mistaken.

I think Long is a lock. He comes from a single seater background, was a large part of the RS Spyder program, and has a great presence with the media. That combined with his calm intelligent style of driving makes him ideal for this program, and while he isn't going to be making runs for pole he is a strong anchor to any car they enter.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Just because they've been lapping GT machinery for years for Porsche doesn't mean they are going to move into the P1 car.

Obviously it's just one man's opinion but I think people who feel the likes of Lieb/Long/Bergmeister will race the LMP1 are mistaken.

I would suggest Long will certainly be in the P car , plus he is an American which is always good for marketing porposes . Lieb , not forgetting is also an engineer , I would like to see him in it , while Bergmeister will probably spend his days in Gt , which is no bad thing either .

I reckon Dumas will be in the P car too ..... Lietz-Pilet are all good bets for that drive , imo , and from what rumours say , Heidfeld would be good too .

[CyberMotor]

Here is the Autoweek.com website showing the configuration of the new track(s) for the Porsche Experience in Atlanta.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/110519949

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

Wondering if the new car will take some laps on this new track?...

http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25928/

A lot of history in the making here. The old Ford Assembly Plant was purchased by Porsche and will now be turned into Porsche North America's new headquarters. The track is near the airport so any noise from the demonstration track will be drowned out by the noise from the airport.

I would like to see the new LMP1 take some laps around this track.

They have their test track at Weissach if they want to test the car without prying eyes peeking in, so... no.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

Here is the Autoweek.com website showing the configuration of the new track(s) for the Porsche Experience in Atlanta.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/110519949

If the LMP car does any laps on this track it will be for marketing purposes only.
IMO testing will no doubt take place at Weissach, Nardo (for top speed and now owned by Porsche), Paul Ricard (a favorite for testing due to long straights and tight corners), Barcelona or possibly Estoril.
First Tests are always at Weissach.

[Brake dust]

What about Simon Pagenuad? Not sure how lucrative Indy racing in comparison to a works drive - but a very quick and proven LMP pilot.

I suspect the team will end up with a combination of current GT drivers and a couple of specialists.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Brake dust

What about Simon Pagenuad? Not sure how lucrative Indy racing in comparison to a works drive - but a very quick and proven LMP pilot.

I suspect the team will end up with a combination of current GT drivers and a couple of specialists.

He's locked into an Indycar contract with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Penske have their eyes firmly on him, so I have a feeling he'll be staying in Indycar for a while longer.

[deggis]

Is the Weissach track still useful for actual performance testing for LMPs or just more like shakedown type of tests? Isn't it quite small track for a modern LMP, and a bit hazardous too safety-wise?

[Spyderman]

I think the Weissach track is used just for general set-up and development.

[porman]

Originally Posted by deggis

Is the Weissach track still useful for actual performance testing for LMPs or just more like shakedown type of tests? Isn't it quite small track for a modern LMP, and a bit hazardous too safety-wise?

I believe they will use it more for systems checks and so forth. It's a good place for the initial roll-out but not much more. As you mentioned, it is quite small for a prototype as the RS Spyder proved. I believe like Spyderman that the majority of the testing will be at Nardo (Initialy) and then Paul Ricard.