The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[vincegail]

You mean:
Just let Toyota rummage through your data listed on your facebook profile etc. etc. etc.
Which I did of course, because no sensitive information is to be found on my profile

[TF110]

Looks like they just ask for your name and e-mail, nothing personal.

[CTD]

I won't be able to go to Spa, so i won't compete. I think such competitions should only be signed up by people going, or thinking about going. Remember, they do NOT offer the travel and entrance, they only give the ticket to the team. (which is extremely generously anyway)

[tyronnezx]

Look at this link from F1 fanatic guys http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/11/2...ell-f1-brazil/

there are some seriously good prospects here for Toyota's 3rd car -
Pedro, Senna, Kobayashi, Heikki or Paul di Resta

[The Badger]

And there is some seriously decent lads out there already without any F1 castoffs !!!

Senna , Kobayashi ..... Senna for the name and Kobayashi for the nationality .

[TF110]

Toyota took race car of the year at the Professional Motorsport World Awards, and their THS-Racing took powertrain of the year... http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/to...ns-in-cologne/ quite the feat for their first year back in LeMans style endurance racing in 13 years.

[CTD]

Not sure I would dare placing Kobayashi in a Japanese Endurance car.
He's matured a lot, but he still do a lot of amazingly daring moves, especially when something Japanese is involved, which isn't suited in a 24 hour race.

Personally, I hope he'll stay in F1 for a couple of more years, in a good car where he can prove his qualities.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by TF110

Toyota took race car of the year at the Professional Motorsport World Awards, and their THS-Racing took powertrain of the year... http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/to...ns-in-cologne/ quite the feat for their first year back in LeMans style endurance racing in 13 years.

A quick list of the previous winners of the Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards.

• Powertrain Innovation of the Year
  • 2012: Toyota THS-R
  • 2011: Xtrac Instantaneous Gearchange System (IGS)
  • 2010: Williams Hybrid Power Flywheel KERS
  • 2009: Zytek Automotive ALMS and F1 KERS
  • 2008: Heat2power Waste heat regeneration
  • 2007: Flybrid/Xtrac/Torotrak KERS
• Race Car of the Year
  • 2012: Toyota TS030 Hybrid
  • 2011: Red Bull RB7
  • 2010: Porsche GT3 R Hybrid
  • 2009: Brawn BGP 001
  • 2008: KTM X-Bow Race
  • 2007: Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

It will be interesting to see whether Toyota also wins the "Race Engine of the Year" award organized by Race Engine Technology magazine. This award is known a bit better.

• 2011: Audi R18 V6 TDI
• 2010: Renault F1 V8
• 2009: Mercedes F1 V8 + KERS
• 2008: Mercedes F1 V8
• 2007: Toyota Supra HV-R
• 2006: Audi R10 V12 TDI

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

It will be interesting to see whether Toyota also wins the "Race Engine of the Year" award organized by Race Engine Technology magazine. This award is known a bit better.

• 2011: Audi R18 V6 TDI
• 2010: Renault F1 V8
• 2009: Mercedes F1 V8 + KERS
• 2008: Mercedes F1 V8
• 2007: Toyota Supra HV-R
• 2006: Audi R10 V12 TDI

Off Topic:
It always troubled me that the Peugeot 908 V12 HDI engine didn't win the "Race Engine of the Year"

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by The Badger

And there is some seriously decent lads out there already without any F1 castoffs !!!

Senna , Kobayashi ..... Senna for the name and Kobayashi for the nationality .

From what I've heard Senna really hated his time in endurance racing. And he didn't do too well either.

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

From what I've heard Senna really hated his time in endurance racing. And he didn't do too well either.

well, sad news according to Autosport, Kobayashi's out. one cant help but to think the chances of him ending up in a Toyota given the fact that he is a Toyota factory Driver

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

well, sad news according to Autosport, Kobayashi's out. one cant help but to think the chances of him ending up in a Toyota given the fact that he is a Toyota factory Driver

I'm surprised that Kobayashi is out of the running, after all, it was his countryman Kaz Nakajima that seemed to wrench his driving style 180 degrees, driving (for the majority of the time) in a very rapid but sensible manner. Damn shame really, but if it's any consolation, Toyota's hunt for drivers is going to keep the media and fans hooked over the winter

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

I'm surprised that Kobayashi is out of the running, after all, it was his countryman Kaz Nakajima that seemed to wrench his driving style 180 degrees, driving (for the majority of the time) in a very rapid but sensible manner. Damn shame really, but if it's any consolation, Toyota's hunt for drivers is going to keep the media and fans hooked over the winter

do we know if three cars are confirmed for Le Mans next year? if anything, F1's loss is WEC's Gain. Personally i think Andrea C. is definitly gunna be stepped up from the Reserve role before anyone else from the outside is considered.

[cmk]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

I'm surprised that Kobayashi is out of the running, after all, it was his countryman Kaz Nakajima that seemed to wrench his driving style 180 degrees, driving (for the majority of the time) in a very rapid but sensible manner. Damn shame really, but if it's any consolation, Toyota's hunt for drivers is going to keep the media and fans hooked over the winter

I think he meant that Kobayashi is out at Sauber, so he could now possibly be in at Toyota if there is a 3rd car at Le Mans. Everyone and their dog has been saying over the last day or so that Esteban Gutierrez is now fait accompli at Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

[DeathOrGlory]

3rd car: Kobayashi/Caldarelli/Ishiura?

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by cmk

I think he meant that Kobayashi is out at Sauber, so he could now possibly be in at Toyota if there is a 3rd car at Le Mans. Everyone and their dog has been saying over the last day or so that Esteban Gutierrez is now fait accompli at Sauber alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

Damn, midnight eyes

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by DeathOrGlory

3rd car: Kobayashi/Caldarelli/Ishiura?

I'd be happy with that line-up. If they did pick up Kamui this question is obviously how would they integrate him into the set up? Could he become a full-time third driver in the Davidson/Sarrazin car and effectively demote Buemi?

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I'd be happy with that line-up. If they did pick up Kamui this question is obviously how would they integrate him into the set up? Could he become a full-time third driver in the Davidson/Sarrazin car and effectively demote Buemi?

That would be daft, Buemi is excellent I'm told!

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by The Badger

And there is some seriously decent lads out there already without any F1 castoffs !!!

Senna , Kobayashi ..... Senna for the name and Kobayashi for the nationality .

LMP teams favour ex F1 drivers.

F1 drivers are only "cast off's" when they run out of money and backers, not talent!

[TF110]

True, Gutierrez admits he doesn't think he's ready for F1. Doesn't matter to $auber though. $enna may be getting the boot as well, even though he's basically matched Maldonado without ever doing FP1. Kinda hurts your setup routine. Buemi imo is no better/even with Kobayashi. I'd be happy to see KK in the 'TS030B', along with him.

[TF110]

Revisiting the Sao Paulo race from this season, the fast lap times were in the 1:23's for the LMP1's. This weekend F1 will be at the same track, as of P2 the fast laps are in the 1:14's. But I expect qualifying to be in the 1:13s at least, but going from previous races, the race laps will be slower by about 4-5 seconds. That would put them in the 1:18's and 1:19s with full fuel. About 6 seconds faster than LMP1. Not bad for cars that weigh ~250kg more and have a 200hp deficit.

Not long ago, well 2007; the Peugeot 908's fastest race lap was a 1:18.787! There's no doubt in my mind that if the cars were at that level today, they'd be as fast or faster than the 3 slowest teams currently in F1. Imagine what 2014 will be like if the cars will be lighter by 50kg, and could produce the same levels of downforce coupled with freer hybrid technology.

[MJones94]

Originally Posted by TF110

Revisiting the Sao Paulo race from this season, the fast lap times were in the 1:23's for the LMP1's. This weekend F1 will be at the same track, as of P2 the fast laps are in the 1:14's. But I expect qualifying to be in the 1:13s at least, but going from previous races, the race laps will be slower by about 4-5 seconds. That would put them in the 1:18's and 1:19s with full fuel. About 6 seconds faster than LMP1. Not bad for cars that weigh ~250kg more and have a 200hp deficit.

Not long ago, well 2007; the Peugeot 908's fastest race lap was a 1:18.787! There's no doubt in my mind that if the cars were at that level today, they'd be as fast or faster than the 3 slowest teams currently in F1. Imagine what 2014 will be like if the cars will be lighter by 50kg, and could produce the same levels of downforce coupled with freer hybrid technology.

You're right, it is quite remarkable how fast these cars are despite the weight disadvantage, power disadvantage etc.

[TF110]

Well, in 2007 the power was possibly around -100hp the levels of F1.

[gwyllion]

The difference in power was probably a bit less. Officially the Peugeot 908 V12 HDI produced 700+ hp, whereas the current F1 V8 engines (with the 18.000 rpm restriction) produce 750+ hp.

[TF110]

750hp is underrated, they're more powerful than that. Teams are coy about their power, and in 2007 they had 19k rev limit so I'm sure the Ferrari and Mercedes were around 800hp. It'll still be interesting to see how teams choose their engines for 2014 coupled with lighter weight and a bit more hybrid power, and compare them to F1.