[WEC] New rules. New manufacturers. The 2021 and beyond positivity thread!

[hondafan37]

Giorgio Sanna (Lamborghini) "Two Hypercars at Daytona and Le Mans"
The presentation is imminent. The test programme should start in the summer.

https://en.endurance-info.com/auto/a...na-and-le-mans

[joeb]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

Giorgio Sanna (Lamborghini) "Two Hypercars at Daytona and Le Mans"
The presentation is imminent. The test programme should start in the summer.

https://en.endurance-info.com/auto/a...na-and-le-mans

That is exciting! I'm hoping for a unique looking car with the Lambo and Ligier. Actually am almost as interested in seeing what Ligier has to offer compared to the competition. Twin Turbo V8 and an intriguing quote:

The entire powertrain is already on the test bench. I can't say much more than that, but you'll gradually understand why we opted for a twin-turbo V8.

[JT240Z]

Very excited to hear that Lambo will be in GTP IMSA for next year. Glad to see them progressing. Can't wait to hear that twin turbo V8 in person.

[Mike E]

Some more video of the Isotta test at Vallelunga. Sounds pretty good, I reckon, but it would be good to hear it stretching its legs a bit more.

https://youtu.be/FD4HD09aDbE

[Coach Ep]

This (together with the customer Porsche route) could be a possibility for United for instance if they decide they can no longer wait on a rumoured McLaren Hypercar effort (which up till this point has been nothing more than hot air) and want to continue to be part of the series next year:

***General Motors sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser was at Spa and hinted at possible considerations to sell the Cadillac LMDh to customers. “There’s been a lot of constraint on parts as we started this program, so I’m glad that we didn’t commit to anything beyond what we have,” she said. “But that’s starting to finally become a little bit more comfortable, and the supply chain is catching up. So I think that’s opening the door for us to have future discussions, but we don’t have a plan right now.”

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...e-notebook-17/

[S griffin]

Would Porsche want to do it? I wonder if United are ready to give up on the McLaren Hypercar, nothing to suggest progress in that area. And would anyone want to work with United?

[Coach Ep]

United's track record pretty much speaks for itself.

And Porsche has clearly stated they would prefer new customers over existing customer (without neglecting the latter obviously, Proton is the prime example there) so if the production line allows Porsche to sell another car and United is willing/able to write the check, I'd assume a deal can be made.

Cadillac is just at the early stages of a possible customer program but the fact that the company makes public hints about it, is an excellent development. I'd expect more on the subject at a later stage (probably after LM).

[S griffin]

True, but I wonder if they can compete on the big stage still

I understand Porsche are looking for partners, as they can't do it all themselves. So they are looking for a good partnership. Not sure it will be United, I'm sure other teams are in contention

I'm looking forward to seeing what Cadillac can do, I reckon they could surprise, although it will take time

[broadrun96]

Sounds like whoever has an extra car to sell and United is there with a check they're gonna need to get a car and would be a great team for either. Hoping for Caddy to just get variety and either way I think we could see United selling a Daytona program to their drivers as well as WEC.

[veeten]

Also remember, there is that announcement post-Le Mans about Alfa Romeo and their decision on whether they will enter with a LMH. United could either waiting or in talks with them.

[J Jay]

United are an odd one. Like Audi in LMP, they were largely responsible for raising the bar in LMP2, which the likes of JOTA, WRT & Prema duly met and have slightly surpassed.

McLaren has always been a sticking block, but for the past year or so it's become clear that it isn't worth waiting for them. Hopefully UA have already reached out to other factories. Cadillac would be great to have the quarter of super teams each with a different manufacturer (WRT/BMW, Prema/Lamborghini, JOTA/Porsche).

[Matador]

Originally Posted by J Jay

United are an odd one. Like Audi in LMP, they were largely responsible for raising the bar in LMP2, which the likes of JOTA, WRT & Prema duly met and have slightly surpassed.

McLaren has always been a sticking block, but for the past year or so it's become clear that it isn't worth waiting for them. Hopefully UA have already reached out to other factories. Cadillac would be great to have the quarter of super teams each with a different manufacturer (WRT/BMW, Prema/Lamborghini, JOTA/Porsche).

Or Honda could come to their senses and let HPD have a go at the WEC with their LMDh...


p.s. Might be a quintet with Signatech/Alpine... or doesn't that count?

[J Jay]

Hopefully next year, but at the moment most of the push comes from the US, so that is where Acura will be, at least until the Andretti/WTR tie-in can bring an ARX-06 over.

[S griffin]

I’m sure we could a few more manufacturers next year. We’ll see with Acura and whether they want to do it with Andretti. I think they are happy over there in the states and don’t feel the need to come to Europe

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Hopefully next year, but at the moment most of the push comes from the US, so that is where Acura will be, at least until the Andretti/WTR tie-in can bring an ARX-06 over.

Yeah, I think that's the likely way forward is an Andretti car coming to LM/WEC

[S griffin]

I can actually see Andretti coming to LM, but it would probably be more likely with a European manufacturer

[GingerPixel]

How complicated would it be to run an Acura in the WEC, aside from putting a Honda badge on it?

[Graham Goodwin]

Honda in Japan have to agree to the programme and to rebadge the car - would require WEC homologation.

The car will not run in WEC as an Acura

[broadrun96]

And Honda of Japan seems to be the largest sticking point there currently, feels like HPD would help run one at LM just to do it but those pesky rules and regs

[veeten]

According to Motorsport.com , Isott Fraschini will not race at Monza and will be at Bahrain instead. Will do more testing with the Tipo 6 to be ready for the '24 season.

[hondafan37]

I was just wondering, what does WEC need to be perfect?
My answer was a V12..... and the Aston Valkyrie came to me
mind..... If they had been there since 2021 and with 4 cars and with the BOP, they might have already won the 24 hours.... What is better, several Alonso podiums in F1 or the Victory in the 24 Hours?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

I was just wondering, what does WEC need to be perfect?
My answer was a V12..... and the Aston Valkyrie came to me
mind..... If they had been there since 2021 and with 4 cars and with the BOP, they might have already won the 24 hours.... What is better, several Alonso podiums in F1 or the Victory in the 24 Hours?

With a son who has been working on the Valkyrie for 2 years or more, I couldn't agree more. It's a crime that the car isn't racing in WEC.

[veeten]

That's because the belief was that Hypercars was going to be similar to 90's GT1, but AM hedged and the rules changed. The "convergence" with IMSA basically killed that off when the rules were remade to be closer to the LMDh.

It may as well have been an engineering exercise rather than an actual race car.

[seanyb505]

Forgive me for not searching too deeply, do we have an anticipated hypercar count for the medium future? I'm thinking:
Toyota 2
Ferrari 2 - 4
Lamborghini 2-4
Bmw 2
Cadillac - don't see them there much beyond 1 or 2 years
IF 0-1
Floyd - 0-1
Alpine 1-2
Peugeot - anticipating they drop soon

So in the 2-3 year time frame we're looking at 9-16 realistic entries unless I'm foolishly missing someone.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

So in the 2-3 year time frame we're looking at 9-16 realistic entries unless I'm foolishly missing someone.

Yeah you're missing like six Porsches bro haha!

I also think Acura/Honda will be there eventually.

I think the strength of car performance will dictate who the teams are who have the best customer offerings. And as the odd manufacturer and the small privateers depart, it'll be the strength of the customer market that impacts the car counts the most surely.