[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[Articus]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Any interesting piece of information (or speculation ?) in the latest issue of AutoHebdo magazine.

Porsche are being reported to make the switch to the 8MJ (as most would expect) while still managing to substantially reduce the overall car weight to be below the 870-kg minimum. That would be a substantial improvement over the 2014 car which was said to be overweight.

Can be probably bodywork (like the Audi Ultras), reduced cooling system size, more carbon fibre in the rear, also possible switch in electric motor supplier.

[Spyderman]

I remember reading somewhere that a lot of the weight was saved in the new monocoque design.

Lets hope that this will allow for ballast to be correctly placed in order to improve tire-ware.

[airbusA346]

3rd 919 drivers:

- Nick Tandy
- Earl Bamber
- Nico Hulkenberg

[Hawkwood]

No Mako? I did not see Bamber getting that drive.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

3rd 919 drivers:

- Nick Tandy
- Earl Bamber
- Nico Hulkenberg

Two Kiwis in Porsche 919s then.

Bamber goes from support act to Hulkenberg, to team-mate in one season.

[airbusA346]

Porsche GTE Drivers:

#91
- Lietz
- Christensen
- Bergmeister (LM)

#92
- Pilet
- Makowiecki
- Wolf Henzler (LM)

[J Jay]

So either Mako didn't get on well in the 919 test, or he really is that good of a GT driver?

Pleased for Bamber, some good news for him following the ignominious incident at Daytona.

[gaaaazFR]

Originally Posted by J Jay

So either Mako didn't get on well in the 919 test, or he really is that good of a GT driver?

Pleased for Bamber, some good news for him following the ignominious incident at Daytona.

Good news yeah... not good example, how on earth can you promote so far a "kid" making such a big mistake for his first 24h race under the factory colors??

That doesn't make sense for me, neither on a sporing aspect, nor on a management one... I can scrap my head looking for a decent argument I only find one : they wanted to be sure he's not going to be in one of the Factory GT's to have a chance winning in GTE Pro!

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by gaaaazFR

Good news yeah... not good example, how on earth can you promote so far a "kid" making such a big mistake for his first 24h race under the factory colors??

That doesn't make sense for me, neither on a sporing aspect, nor on a management one... I can scrap my head looking for a decent argument I only find one : they wanted to be sure he's not going to be in one of the Factory GT's to have a chance winning in GTE Pro!

I'm pretty sure the decision to put Bamber in a 919 was made far in advance of the smash. And it makes just as little sense to write a driver off for making one mistake even if it was massive.

[TF110]

Told you no Sutil. Bamber should be fine, he has more space on the wec tracks

[gaaaazFR]

Originally Posted by J Jay

I'm pretty sure the decision to put Bamber in a 919 was made far in advance of the smash. And it makes just as little sense to write a driver off for making one mistake even if it was massive.

I don't see how the choice could have been maybe much earlier since the only test he've done with the 919 was a few days before Daytona 24.

For me that looks like a "default" choice, but a bad one in two ways :

- sporting target is win LM24, having such a line-up in the third LMP1 is almost a guaranty this car is never going to finish the race (Hulkenberg discovers LM24, Tandy is taking many risks all the time, and Bamber... with his "supercup style).

- On a management point of view : you have 7/8 others GT drivers doing their job amazingly well, really fast, implicated, not doing mistakes since many years and the only reward they have is seeing a "young one" going before them in the line.
What message do you send them as a management? I you compare to a "normal" company (which Porsche as every team is), that's a Huge error of management.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

Oh my! What are they thinking? Tandy and bamber in the same car? Wow just wow.

[Spyderman]

I too am surprised. As posted earlier in this thread, Bamber is the real deal.
Porsche does not make ad-hoc decisions. If they feel that Bamber is up to the job, then I'm sure it is based on careful performance data analysis.

[CTD]

Sad to see that Michael Christensen will sit this years Le Mans out.
2015 will be the first year since 1996 that a dane can't win Le Mans!

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by CTD

Sad to see that Michael Christensen will sit this years Le Mans out.
2015 will be the first year since 1996 that a dane can't win Le Mans!

Um, he won't. He'll be in the #91...

[Articus]

On another note, interesting to see Wolf Henzler back in the factory effort.

I'm sure Porsche will be just dandy with Tandy and co. They still have 2 other cars. Audi did the same thing. Fill the third car with rookies.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Beryl

Um, he won't. He'll be in the #91...

I meant he will won't be in the 919, as many (mostly me) predicted he would.

And it's very unlikely that a GTE will take the overall victory.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by gaaaazFR

- sporting target is win LM24, having such a line-up in the third LMP1 is almost a guaranty this car is never going to finish the race (Hulkenberg discovers LM24, Tandy is taking many risks all the time, and Bamber... with his "supercup style).

Given you've never seen any of these boys drive a prototype all you have are baseless assumptions.

[dbagtbag]

Originally Posted by CTD

I meant he will won't be in the 919, as many (mostly me) predicted he would.

And it's very unlikely that a GTE will take the overall victory.

That would be insane but I'd give my left ear to see that happen.

[gaaaazFR]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Given you've never seen any of these boys drive a prototype all you have are baseless assumptions.

Sure a guy taking a lot of risks and making contacts (big or not) in GTE is going to suddenly change in a "safe" driver because is moving to LMP... that make a lot of sense
More over they'll have to fight with guys more experienced, quicker and not "soft" on track, I just say their limit may be too close for that kind of challenge.

Anyway without giving my sources I can already say that one of those 2 boys is able to push very hard in an LMP, but taking many risks.

But we'll see that in june, when someone will ask them to slow down because their in slick on the wet and quicker than anyone else

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by gaaaazFR

Sure a guy taking a lot of risks and making contacts (big or not) in GTE is going to suddenly change in a "safe" driver because is moving to LMP... that make a lot of sense
More over they'll have to fight with guys more experienced, quicker and not "soft" on track, I just say their limit may be too close for that kind of challenge.

Anyway without giving my sources I can already say that one of those 2 boys is able to push very hard in an LMP, but taking many risks.

But we'll see that in june, when someone will ask them to slow down because their in slick on the wet and quicker than anyone else

Sounds like Porsche may have made a catastrophic mistake in failing to seek your advice before going with Bamber and Tandy.

[DistortedSmile]

I'm disappointed Mako didn't get the seat, I rate him much higher than Bamber or Tandy.

[gaaaazFR]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Sounds like Porsche may have made a catastrophic mistake in failing to seek your advice before going with Bamber and Tandy.

I don't give advice, just my point of view.
But I'm amazed so many people here find this line-up "extraordinary"... again we'll see in June if Porsche has made a mistake or if I'm wrong.

[wdave0]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

I'm disappointed Mako didn't get the seat, I rate him much higher than Bamber or Tandy.

It might be that Porsche might be unwilling to dilute their chance of a GTLM class win with a car they sell in favor of a third halo prototype so they take a flyer on the third car, not the lead GTLM car. Valid IMHO.

[TF110]

Porsche in Bahrain for testing http://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/stat...32928483696640