[WEC] Toyota Hypercar Discussion

[TF110]

https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/ne...issue/6653966/ article has Lopez explaining what and how they managed the issues. They also go into detail about the faulty part(s) they suspect caused the fuel pick up issues. Quite a story! It reveals that Le Mans isn't just a race against opponents but a race with yourself and the issues that arise.

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Personally I can't see any reason to replace any of them, unless someone is keen to move on. But there's always a need to do 'succession planning'.....

Agree!

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Now to me that is pretty dull!

They need to bring back the three separate liveries from 1992....

...and a three car campaign for LM24!

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by J Jay

To be more specific, it cycled the fuel pump on/off. The drivers were using it to try and flush the system to counter the effect of g-forces under braking on the fuel pump.

The engineers estimated a 35-40 minute stop for repairs, so they (aided by Buemi's insights and on-track testing) devised the DDef solution.

Speaking of Buemi, his early-morning on-track stop was because he forgot to press the button quickly enough to restart the fuel pump.

Source: Mike Conway (~4:15)

Well, this fuel pump had a real pounding on him and yet it survived, big thing!

[chernaudi]

Is there any known good shots of the front of the GR010's monocoque or of the nosebox and front diffuser? I know that the Le Mans Prototypes Blog has some illustrations but I'm wondering if any detailed images other than that exist?

[greenmachinets040]

I am eagerly waiting how can Toyota fix the fuel pump/pressure/contamination problem. They should have enough time to sort it out for Bahrain/for good.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by greenmachinets040

I am eagerly waiting how can Toyota fix the fuel pump/pressure/contamination problem. They should have enough time to sort it out for Bahrain/for good.

Well they're testing in Barcelona now so I'm hoping that is on the checklist. Also Ryo Hirakawa is with them testing the car again.

[GingerPixel]

Anyone know about them binning the road car? A saw a couple of articles saying that it'd been on fire during testing and they were thinking about cancelling it but the stories were Facebook news articles which are hardly the most reputable sources.

[Simmi]

Seb Ogier also doing the Rookie test for Toyota in Bahrain - https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/ogier...pe-wrc-future/

He seems to be implying there is a sniff of a WEC drive here, but P2 a possibility reading between the lines. Not a chance he'd step into one of the six current seats. Maybe a works/semi-works third car is a possibility for Toyota?

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Seb Ogier also doing the Rookie test for Toyota in Bahrain - https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/ogier...pe-wrc-future/

He seems to be implying there is a sniff of a WEC drive here, but P2 a possibility reading between the lines. Not a chance he'd step into one of the six current seats. Maybe a works/semi-works third car is a possibility for Toyota?

I can see that happening for Ogier only if redbull will toss some coins

[S griffin]

I would love to see Ogier giving it a try, nice new challenge for him

[JoeW04]

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...arcelona-test/


I may be reading too much into it but the drivers involved in that test it sounds like a bit of a shootout

[greenmachinets040]

Do we know anything relevant about the Barcelona test, regarding mileage, program, comments from the staff?

[TF110]

Originally Posted by greenmachinets040

Do we know anything relevant about the Barcelona test, regarding mileage, program, comments from the staff?

Hirakawa says the pace he had wasn't as good as DeVries and Buemi. He wants a future drive with them but is wary about his speed not being as close. I didn't read anything else from the team noteworthy.

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by TF110

Hirakawa says the pace he had wasn't as good as DeVries and Buemi. He wants a future drive with them but is wary about his speed not being as close. I didn't read anything else from the team noteworthy.

Thank you for the info! Can you share with me some websites where you get these news?

thank you in Advance!

[Hawkwood]

Here you go:
https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/...ercar/6678272/
His first day seemed to be fine, but it was his second day where he was lacking pace, as they used different tyres and brakes.

[JoeW04]

If Toyota continue with the theme of a Japanese driver in each car and it’s not gonna be hirakawa next who do you think they’d go to next?

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

If Toyota continue with the theme of a Japanese driver in each car and it’s not gonna be hirakawa next who do you think they’d go to next?

I d like to see Takuma Sato in a Toyota - but I think he has always been a Honda driver

[kvenom]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

If Toyota continue with the theme of a Japanese driver in each car and it’s not gonna be hirakawa next who do you think they’d go to next?

Kenta Yamashita, although his stock has faded a bit.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by JoeW04

If Toyota continue with the theme of a Japanese driver in each car and it’s not gonna be hirakawa next who do you think they’d go to next?

Sho Tsuboi is young enough. Id like to see him get a shot one day.

[Simmi]

Is one of the current duo expected to leave? Or are we anticipating expansion to a third car?

[greenmachinets040]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Is one of the current duo expected to leave? Or are we anticipating expansion to a third car?

Toyota has to follow up his history, eg. bringing a third car to a start with full Japanese squad - that would be awesome!

[kvenom]

Nakajima has been confirmed to be stepping down. Hirakawa will likely take his place, I think De Vries would be better but Toyota corporate probably want a Japanese driver

[J Jay]

I think that's underrating Hirakawa a bit, I'd say de Vries only edges it for having more recent experience. Obviously there is a provincial angle to consider, but when has that been different for manufacturers?

[TF110]

I will miss Nakajima. I feel like he didn't get that extra attention or that spotlight as much recently in the trio. He is kinda understated but there as a constant and reliable. Imo hes come a long way since his f1 days and his early wec career. One of Toyota's original drivers from 2012. Hopefully his career with Toyota stays in the higher up position. Maybe help groom Japanese talent for them. Hirakawa has big shoes to fill!