Endurance Racing Discussion Thread - WEC, ELMS etcSports Cars

[ProjectWHaT]

 

[juanffy18]

I like the car, i hope it will be there in GT7

 

[Scuderia Paul]

I know I am a TGR die-hard but this new GR010 Hybrid looks absolutely fantastic. The new asymmetric livery using the GR logo is really cool.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

https://racing.tgr-europe.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-introduces-gr010-hybrid-hypercar/

Official press release

The GR010 HYBRID is a prototype racer developed over the last 18 months in partnership by engineers at the team’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany and the electric hybrid powertrain experts at Higashi-Fuji in Japan.

The GR010 HYBRID incorporates a powerful four-wheel drive racing hybrid powertrain, with a 3.5litre V6 twin turbo engine, providing 680PS to the rear wheels and combining with a 272PS motor generator unit, developed by AISIN AW and DENSO, on the front axle. Total output is capped at 500kW (680PS), meaning the GR010 HYBRID’s sophisticated electronics reduce engine power according to the amount of hybrid boost deployed.

The striking new look of the racing prototype reflects the appearance of its inspiration, the GR Super Sport hypercar which made its public debut during a demonstration run and ceremonial trophy return at the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours and is currently in development. To mark this new era for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, a new livery includes the iconic GR lettering to indicate the strong link between race and road cars.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing enters its ninth season in WEC with the same driver line-up which brought Le Mans and World Championship glory to the team in the 2019-2020 campaign. Newly-crowned World Champions Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López will drive the #7 GR010 HYBRID while Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley race with the #8 car. Nyck de Vries continues in his role as test and reserve driver.

They have already started an intense programme of developing the GR010 HYBRID, with two three-day tests already completed as the team adapts to new regulations which are a significant shift in terms of performance and philosophy.

As part of a cost-cutting initiative incorporated in the regulations, the new GR010 HYBRID is 162kg heavier and with 32% less power than its TS050 HYBRID predecessor, with Le Mans lap times expected to be around 10secs slower. It also has bigger dimensions; it is 250mm longer, 100mm wider and 100mm higher.

For the first time since the beginning of its WEC project, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will participate without a rear motor generator unit (MGU), with the single permitted MGU located on the front axle. This means a starter motor must be fitted on the GR010 HYBRID while fully hydraulic rear brakes are also required.

The GR010 HYBRID features state-of-the-art aerodynamics, optimised for efficiency, and developed using powerful Computational Fluid Dynamics software and wind tunnel testing. The new technical regulations permit only a single homologated bodywork package, with only one adjustable aerodynamic device. The GR010 HYBRID will therefore compete in the same specification at both low and high downforce circuits, with an adjustable rear wing modifying the aerodynamic characteristics.

For the first time, the top class of WEC and Le Mans will feature a balance of performance, meaning organisers will modify the performance of each car on a race-by-race basis, regulating energy usage and weight, targeting identical performance potential from each Le Mans Hypercar. That should ensure close racing between TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and its hypercar competitors Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and ByKolles Racing, as well as Alpine, which will present an additional challenge with its LMP1 car.

 

[juanffy18]

https://racing.tgr-europe.com/toyota-gazoo-racing-introduces-gr010-hybrid-hypercar/

Official press release

Alpine with a LMP1 car and the others with the new Hypercars? this is fair enough?

 

[TheHun99]

Alpine with a LMP1 car and the others with the new Hypercars? this is fair enough?

ACO claims BOP will take care of that, same with regards to LMH v LMDh later. We’ll see.

 

[ScottPuss20]

It's just a TS050 with less aero and less power.

 

[UnkaD]

Alright, I take it back. It looks very different from the last TS050. I'm glad to see that the bodywork will remain unchanged at different tracks. Love the higher rear diffuser. I'm also happy to be rid of those weird wedge things the P1 cars had behind the rear tires. They looked really awkward for hanging lower than the side of the body. The shape of the back kind'a reminds me of a Zonda now.

 

[SlowGrayAudi]

It's just a TS050 with less aero and less power.

And way more weight

 

[TheHun99]

Ben Keating switching to Aston for his WEC campaign:

 

[VulcanSpirit]

That's not the only Vantage GTE TF Sport will be running this year...

 

[HaydenFan69]

Ben Keating switching to Aston for his WEC campaign:

Ben Keating still being a bronze driver is further proof this FIA ranking system is garbage. This pairing might take the title with races to spare.

 

[TheHun99]

Ben Keating still being a bronze driver

Given he'll turn 50 later this year he will never be promoted to silver. I'm not sure what are the criteria for silver vs bronze but he's most definitely a very accomplished driver and on the sharp end of the bronze drivers.

 

[HaydenFan69]

Given he'll turn 50 later this year he will never be promoted to silver. I'm not sure what are the criteria for silver vs bronze but he's most definitely a very accomplished driver and on the sharp end of the bronze drivers.

60 is the automatic bronze. It’s just not fair to anyone. And I don’t blame him for doing that. He’s been driving 2 classes at Daytona the last few years. I don’t know if even some of the top pro drivers could do that and be as competitive as him. Him and Dalla Lana at AMR. Both guys who are easily Gold/Silver drivers that due to age and perceived experience are not classified correctly.

 

[TheHun99]

60 is the automatic bronze. It’s just not fair to anyone. And I don’t blame him for doing that. He’s been driving 2 classes at Daytona the last few years. I don’t know if even some of the top pro drivers could do that and be as competitive as him. Him and Dalla Lana at AMR. Both guys who are easily Gold/Silver drivers that due to age and perceived experience are not classified correctly.

I had somehow incorrect numbers in my head... Auberlen is older than Keating and his a gold as BMW factory driver. Next time I do more research before saying stupid things

 

[HaydenFan69]

I had somehow incorrect numbers in my head... Auberlen is older than Keating and his a gold as BMW factory driver. Next time I do more research before saying stupid things

Forgot about Bill. I remember thinking he was the old guy back when he raced with Panoz in the early 2000s. Lol

I think it’s just assumed that gentleman drivers will always be bronze, even if they show they can run much faster. Like the young guys in F1 have proved, years and years of experience is not required to be fast.

Plus, look at the Silver and Gold drivers. Guys who’ve driven high level single seaters, won Le Mans, Daytona. Daniel Morad as a Silver? Zach Veach is a Gold? Way to give Lexus potentially the best pairing in IMSA GTD.

At least the WEC seems to be better at distinguishing Pro drivers than Ams. Outside those years AMR was using Matthias Lauda and Pedro Lamy with Dalla Lana, the Pro and Am class has been pretty fair.

 

[BrainsBush]

Welcome to FIA WEC.
High expectations from this trio

 

[VulcanSpirit]

ORECA to collaborate with Red Bull's engineering arm for the 2024 Le Mans hydrogen chassis.

 

[juanffy18]

 

[TheHun99]

Interesting article about Glickenhaus and his views. I do wonder about the future balance between LMH and LMDh.

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/...-allowed-to-win-at-le-mans-claims-glickenhaus

 

[HaydenFan69]

His views are wrong, but I understand them, and would like to feel that deluded, but after seeing the IMSA DPi category, can you really tell me if LMDh is that, it is not the better choice?

 

[TheHun99]

His views are wrong, but I understand them, and would like to feel that deluded, but after seeing the IMSA DPi category, can you really tell me if LMDh is that, it is not the better choice?

I don’t mean any wrong but does he truly believe that Audi and Porsche would just be silent bystanders if they wouldn’t have realistic chance to win at Le Mans with their future LMDh cars? Anyway, the targeted lap time is roughly the same as the latest performance of the LMP2 cars and the DPis are at least as fast, if not faster. I don’t think the BoP would pull the LMDh down from that level.

At this point this is all speculation, until the 2023 season we won’t know too much anyway I guess.

 

[HaydenFan69]

They’ll be equal. It’s not going to be a measuring contest between the two.

I was referring to his bad attempt at trying to call out VW. I wish the less spec class was more popular, especially as it seemed we’d have a half dozen auto makers competing in the Hypercar category. But it’s still seemingly the loser of the two classes, and Glickenhaus is just trying to justify why he thinks he made the better choice.

 

[Northstar]

I think he should be more worried about whether the ACO will actually let him compete with the bigger manufacturers than whether LMDh and Hypercar will be on even ground.

 

[Jezza819]

Kevin Magnussen and Paul di Resta among those named to Peugeot's WEC teams.

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news...widget&ic_medium=widget&ic_campaign=widget-12

 

[Fabr_123]

First Glickenhaus 007 LMH is complete. Testing begins on Thursday.



It looks so good .

 

[Fabr_123]

According to Marshall Pruett, Ferrari is going to announce their Hypercar programme before the end of the month. Pretty incredible news if true.

 

[Rossell2]

After the IndyCar stuff stalled I guess it was full steam ahead.

So we're looking at Toyota vs Porsche vs Audi vs Alpine vs Glickenhaus vs Peugeot vs Ferrari.

Oh Aston Martin you may have an F1 team but I think you missed out there.

 

[G.T.Ace]

First Glickenhaus 007 LMH is complete. Testing begins on Thursday.



It looks so good .

It's beautiful.

According to Marshall Pruett, Ferrari is going to announce their Hypercar programme before the end of the month. Pretty incredible news if true.

Whaaaat? Siiiiiick!

Oh Aston Martin you may have an F1 team but I think you missed out there.

They screwed up big time, fans aren't pleased either.

 

[Rossell2]

There it is.