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

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by TF110

Anything new on the test session?

The latest news is that it is still planned for tomorrow

Originally Posted by @Sebastien_buemi

Getting ready to start the test session in Aragon tomorrow!

[Acid09]

I'm really most worried about them damaging the car.

[TF110]

Ok. Just wondering if this is a two day (day/night) 30 hour test or if there will be multiple days.

[aneesh99]

A slight tangent here but looking for some opinion here, now that we've seen how the e-tron system performs in race terms (brilliant in the wet and somewhat less useful in the dry), could one safely assume the opposite is true if the Toyota implementation is as effective?

As for the crash and new car being built up, is there any confirmed difference between the original and current tubs other than the removal of whatever was required for the front drive hybrid system? Seems the majority of changes are aero related...

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

A slight tangent here but looking for some opinion here, now that we've seen how the e-tron system performs in race terms (brilliant in the wet and somewhat less useful in the dry), could one safely assume the opposite is true if the Toyota implementation is as effective?

As for the crash and new car being built up, is there any confirmed difference between the original and current tubs other than the removal of whatever was required for the front drive hybrid system? Seems the majority of changes are aero related...

depends, in the dry i think the audi e-tron will understeer compared to to the ultra. still toyota should be quick in the dry. but then again it wasnt like the e-tron was walking over the ultra at spa

[Articus]

I dont see any particular reason for the E-Tron to understeer anymore than than the Ultra. They said the tyre behavior of the fronts is identical.

As for the Toyota. Some say there were no changes to the tub(Vasselon)...Others say there were changes..So is it a new tub or not. I would have to believe they actually are using a slightly tweaked tub. If you have to wait 10 weeks just to make 1 why wouldn't you rush anything you had been planning to the current (WIP)tub.

[eizox]

over a stint the e-tron should wear its fronts more than the ultra simply because it's going to use them more than the Ultra will. the overall braking force on the fronts should be the same, but the acceleration out of corners will naturally cause the fronts to wear more, and then cause understeer towards the end of a stint.

and as the release of energy is only allowed to be controlled by the throttle, when the driver puts his foot down leaving a corner then the front's will be having to steer and attempt to put power down, which will also cause understeer.

[arakis]

Originally Posted by eizox

over a stint the e-tron should wear its fronts more than the ultra simply because it's going to use them more than the Ultra will. the overall braking force on the fronts should be the same, but the acceleration out of corners will naturally cause the fronts to wear more, and then cause understeer towards the end of a stint.

and as the release of energy is only allowed to be controlled by the throttle, when the driver puts his foot down leaving a corner then the front's will be having to steer and attempt to put power down, which will also cause understeer.

Yeah but that power is applied only above 120kmh,

[Adam43]

I wonder what it is like to drive. Is it as simple as accelerating out of a corner at, sat 100km/h and then bang an extra 80hp when you get to 120. A bit like a turbo kicking in, but on different wheels (on the Audi). Then a bit later down the straight the energy is spent and away it goes again. It must be quite odd?

[kurski]

https://twitter.com/#!/dsceuroeditor
Hiroaki Ishiura withdrawn from Toyota Racing Le Mans squad due to back complaint - no replacement driver confirmed yet.

[Simmi]

Let the speculation begin...

If they knew about this they could have flown someone out for the test but it's likely whoever comes in will have barely any testing.

[CTD]

Montagny!

[gwyllion]

According to http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/is...-8-at-le-mans/ he could not handle the high g-forces of an LMP1.

[kurski]

Originally Posted by CTD

Montagny!

If replacement is Japanese driver, so he is probably Kohei Hirate. European choice can be Montagny or Trulli.

[TF110]

That's weird, SuperGT isn't much slower thian LMP. Couple years ago they were equal or faster than LMP2, and this year they have even more power. Cornering speeds have to be close to P2 at least. Sad to hear as he had just won Fuji 500km last week! Who's up for grabs?

[TF110]

Reading the story says next year hopefully he can rejoin, that at least points to a permanent replacement for the rest of the 2012 WEC. If he joins next year hopefully it wont be at the expense of whoever they contract for his replacement and it'll be a 3rd car.

[aneesh99]

There are still quite a few Japanese Toyota SGT drivers they could take if they wanted to roll with the whole Japanese driver thing (Ito wouldn't be a bad choice, good peddler in the Dome), a few guys above mentioned Montangy. Bet Toyota wished they'd locked up Loic Duval!

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by TF110

That's weird, SuperGT isn't much slower thian LMP. Couple years ago they were equal or faster than LMP2, and this year they have even more power. Cornering speeds have to be close to P2 at least. Sad to hear as he had just won Fuji 500km last week! Who's up for grabs?

If the car is 70bhp down on the Audi, yet quicker over a lap, TS030 cornering speeds will need to be stratospheric.

[Simmi]

They need to get Montagny. If they want to give Audi a bit of a fright during the race/build-up Montagny/Davidson would certainly do that.

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by Simmi

They need to get Montagny. If they want to give Audi a bit of a fright during the race/build-up Montagny/Davidson would certainly do that.

I agree, hard to believe that nobody aside from Tucker has picked him up yet, incredibly fast guy.

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by kurski

If replacement is Japanese driver, so he is probably Kohei Hirate. European choice can be Montagny or Trulli.

Even though I would like to see Trulli in LMP's. I really hope Toyota aren't stupid enough to put even more unexperienced drivers in one of their cars. I still think Buemi is a big gamble. He might be a good driver but it takes some experience to drive a LMP quick over a longer period.
Montagny seems like a good choice. Loads of experience and a proven quick guy.

[alexkiller8]

after all these years as a toyota driver i think that wakisaka deserves a chance, at least for a test.

[Plex]

Originally Posted by Simmi

They need to get Montagny. If they want to give Audi a bit of a fright during the race/build-up Montagny/Davidson would certainly do that.

Agreed....

[Coopz21 x]

Montagny i think

[Steptoe]

What about Enge? If he's available between blancpain commitments.