[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[TF110]

He's giving Porsche a little too much credit . With only 8 days of f1 testing Mercedes (and everyone else) needs big mileage while it's available.

[Deleted]

Agreed.

[Mal]

Interesting article:
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/form...s-w06-f1-car#1

[cokata]

Originally Posted by Mal

Interesting article:
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/form...s-w06-f1-car#1

The difference in cornering speed is surprisingly small considering that the Porsche ran LeMans level of downforce at Spa, while if memory serves my right the Merc had comparatively more downforce to what is usually used for Spa.

[Deleted]

Who designs the article layouts on that page? Little pieces of text on each slide that you have to fiddle through for no reason. Horrendous.

But it is interesting. The argument that F1 would be speeded up if LMP1 started going faster is incorrect though, they'd just slow down P1 (as they have again...)

[Artur]

Correct Chiana! They don't need to speed up F1(I heard all the more recent attempts are delayed or failed), they'll just keep slowing down LMP1s, disgracefully.

The article layout doesn't surprise me, I have seen such thing in lot's of sites. The most annoying thing for me is when a incorrect info is written as on this part:

An F1 car is allowed to deploy 4MJ per lap, but only through a nozzle 161bhp wide, if you see what I mean. The Porsche has twice the electric reserves

8MJ LMP1(like Porsche) will have ~5MJ on most places outside of LM(6.37MJ at Spa).

It was also wrong in saying Porsche would be last on the grid of all common tracks because 919 outqualified 1 or 2 Marussias at Shanghai(Bahrain too? I don't remember)

Will LMP1 cars ever be faster than F1 cars? Doubtful. F1 cars now are slower than they were 10 years ago, and if LMP1 lap times start to genuinely rival them, doubtless F1 regulations will be altered to maintain the advantage.

I'm pretty sure Audi would outpace Mercedes at Silverstone this year, if it wasn't for the disgraceful 10MJ reduction. I hope that still can happen(race pace gap was ~3.5s, last year)

This part is funny:

"And then what we have in our favour is 4WD and fantastic Michelin tyres - we can really lean them, they’re so much better than the tissue paper we had in F1." Mark Webber

[TF110]

Lmp vs f1 is pointless. They're difference in weight and engine power ensures f1 is quicker. Then they have drs zones to boost top speed.

[Mal]

The fact that magazines such as top gear feel they want to write about it is interesting in itself

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Mal

The fact that magazines such as top gear feel they want to write about it is interesting in itself

100% Agreed!
The ACO needs to take note: The only reason that a magazine such as Top Gear want to write about this, is because LMP1 is beginning to be seen as a credible alternative to F1 (for the drivers and some fans). If the ACO persist in their silly path of constantly slowing down the cars whilst F1 speeds up (as they intend doing in 2017 and beyond), LMP1 will cease to be a credible alternative. Lesson to be learned: DO NOT SHOOT THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS!!!!

(p.s) If ACO is really concerned about safety, then take serious measures to improve driving standards in the AM class(es).

[cokata]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

100% Agreed!
The ACO needs to take note: The only reason that a magazine such as Top Gear want to write about this, is because LMP1 is beginning to be seen as a credible alternative to F1 (for the drivers and some fans). If the ACO persist in their silly path of constantly slowing down the cars whilst F1 speeds up (as they intend doing in 2017 and beyond), LMP1 will cease to be a credible alternative. Lesson to be learned: DO NOT SHOOT THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS!!!!

(p.s) If ACO is really concerned about safety, then take serious measures to improve driving standards in the AM class(es).

As i have said before if the ACO is so safety driven there will be no AM drivers in a championship of this calibre. Almost all big shunts that have happened recently have been due to an AM driver.

[Deleted]

You mean we shouldn't implement LMGTE-AM-AM sub class for Bronze-only drivers driving Ferrari Challenge cars?

[Victor_RO]

Well this is a bit of a surprise...

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/h...-lmp1-program/

[porman]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Well this is a bit of a surprise...

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/h...-lmp1-program/

I can't seem to open the page. Anything earth shattering?

[Spyderman]

This is not good at all!! Loosing Hitzinger is a huge blow.

[Spyderman]

Something smells fishy! He is leaving at the end of this month. This is far too short notice. Hopefully the 2016 car is not a disaster.

[porman]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

This is not good at all!! Loosing Hitzinger is a huge blow.

No it is not! I cannot see his departure as anything but negative. I imagine those within the hierarchy were aware of this, or atleast hope so as to afford a contingency plan. Porsche could really use some semblance of continuity when we speak of those in pivotal roles. My fear is more for the second half of the season and beyond.

[Spyderman]

I find this very strange indeed! It's not normal for someone to leave a team after an extraordinary season unless there are some very compelling reasons. What ever these reasons are, it is a bitter blow to Porsche and I now have serious doubts about any success in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

[porman]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Something smells fishy! He is leaving at the end of this month. This is far too short notice. Hopefully the 2016 car is not a disaster.

I agree. It seems rather strange. We could really start speculating here. I just hope it wasn't due to differing ideologies toward the future. He is a true leader with vision and the experience to back it up. If he is indeed leaving because of what is essentially written on the wall at Porsche or VAG, we are in trouble. The best scenario is that he was presented with an opportunity of which he could not resist. I don't know whether he is a family man. This is about the only thing which would somewhat ease my worries.

[Spyderman]

I asked Roman Wittemeier (Motorsport Total) what was the real story behind this, and his answer was as follows:
"I'd say this IS the real story. After many years in motorsports and such great times at Porsche...".

[Victor_RO]

Trying to keep things optimistic: isn't this what's called "going out on a high"? And let's not forget drivers announcing retirements right before or right after what would be their last race.

Let's not panic yet. It's not like there's a shortage of talent in that team that can take over that position.

[TF110]

They'll be fine. Porsche have lots of talented people.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Something smells fishy! He is leaving at the end of this month. This is far too short notice. Hopefully the 2016 car is not a disaster.

Or perhaps they've known for longer and didn't rush to tell us? He's just decidedly do something different.

Or he's decided sportscar racing is terrible, what with all the EoT, crap circuits, long calendar, 10% less fuel energy allocation. His doctor told him to leave for his health.

Or, as you say, the car is terrible and they have really sacked him, but keeping him around till the end of the month to rub it in.

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I asked Roman Wittemeier (Motorsport Total) what was the real story behind this, and his answer was as follows:
"I'd say this IS the real story. After many years in motorsports and such great times at Porsche...".

I recon it's the first one, but have sarcasm fever.

i don't know that much about him, but he's had decent success and seems a decent chap

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Let's not panic yet.

[CTD]

I seem to remember that in the off season last year, there was a bit of panic over Porsche changing around a lot in the company and searching for new personal.
They obviously did great .

There is a lot of reasons for a person to leave a company, both professionally and most of all personally. I don't read anything in that article suggestion that there is any bad terms between him and Porsche.

[Spyderman]

The "problem" is that Hitzinger was just not any member of staff. He was the CTO. The entire concept of the car is really his baby. I don't know if there are others on the tech team that can step up and take over, but I do think it is silly to be dismissive of the importance that this will have in the upcoming and 2017 seasons . If Porsche gets someone from outside, they will surely have their own ideas, and changes of direction (in development) can be (in the short and medium term) costly and counter productive to the project as a whole.
Hopefully there is someone currently within the team that can take over and provide the technical leadership that will guarantee success.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

The "problem" is that Hitzinger was just not any member of staff. He was the CTO. The entire concept of the car is really his baby. I don't know if there are others on the tech team that can step up and take over, but I do think it is silly to be dismissive of the importance that this will have in the upcoming and 2017 seasons . If Porsche gets someone from outside, they will surely have their own ideas, and changes of direction (in development) can be (in the short and medium term) costly and counter productive to the project as a whole.
Hopefully there is someone currently within the team that can take over and provide the technical leadership that will guarantee success.

I am not down playing the importance of him leaving, but this is something which could have been planned for months, maybe even a year, meaning that Porsche would have sufficient time to plan what is going to happen.
Nothing indicates that Hitzingers exit is on bad terms, meaning it was probably know for some time internally.