The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

GOTMAXPOWER
Or put brand new batteries in every "fuel" stop killing the globe a load more than any other car in the world.
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They would only need two sets, wouldnt they? one to put in the car and another to recharge... or am I missing something?

Actually now that I come to think of it they could do the same with fuel tanks... switch fuel tanks (one full for the empty one) would save a bit of time if the car was designed that way.
 
tribolik
They would only need two sets, wouldnt they? one to put in the car and another to recharge... or am I missing something?

Actually now that I come to think of it they could do the same with fuel tanks... switch fuel tanks (one full for the empty one) would save a bit of time if the car was designed that way.
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That's actually a good point and idea.
 
SuperShouden
It might have the same issues in the beginning as the Dyson Mazda hybrid, but, I think it should be fine in the end. I think it'll be more interesting to see how they last 24 hours. This would be were the quick change batteries would come into play.
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The Dyson Mazda who-what? Hybrid?
 
Doesn't exist unless he means it being a hybrid P1/P2 car (P2 size wheels on a P1 chassis running below P1 weight).
 
Yeah, nevermind, I don't know what I'm talking about, apparently. The Dyson Mazda just ran on E85 Ethanol. I do remember them having electrical issues when the team first started, though. I must be what I'm thinking about.
 
Dempsey confirms his entry into the WEC on what appears to be a limited basis

Not sure how long it's going to last, and I'm also not sure if he has the power, as a Start-up LMP2 team to just say "Yeah, were going to Le Mans this year". I do expect to see him at some smaller rounds though.

He's expected to go with a Lola B12/80 Coupe, pretty much the same as Level 5.(Insurance reasons)

Personally, I think he should get a year of LMPC (FLM) under his belt before just up and going to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Peugeot's future still unclear

I really hope Oreca keep running their Peugeot program, although it's unlikely.
It's sad to see Peugeot in trouble. I'm a die-hard Audi fan, but Peugeot really did have a great program. Their cars were stunning to look at, and they had a pretty fine crop of drivers. Hopefully they hold on to Sarrazin and Montagny.

I can't wait until the 2nd, when the Official Entry list comes out!
 
What is going on at Peugeot? Didn't think there was anything wrong.
 
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Oreca are running the Toyota program so it's highly unlikely they'll run a Peugeot....

PSA/Citroen are having financial difficulties so they're cutting back the P1 program.
 
hawkeye122
Dempsey confirms his entry into the WEC on what appears to be a limited basis

Not sure how long it's going to last, and I'm also not sure if he has the power, as a Start-up LMP2 team to just say "Yeah, were going to Le Mans this year". I do expect to see him at some smaller rounds though.

He's expected to go with a Lola B12/80 Coupe, pretty much the same as Level 5.(Insurance reasons)

Personally, I think he should get a year of LMPC (FLM) under his belt before just up and going to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Peugeot's future still unclear

I really hope Oreca keep running their Peugeot program, although it's unlikely.
It's sad to see Peugeot in trouble. I'm a die-hard Audi fan, but Peugeot really did have a great program. Their cars were stunning to look at, and they had a pretty fine crop of drivers. Hopefully they hold on to Sarrazin and Montagny.

I can't wait until the 2nd, when the Official Entry list comes out!
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Yeah I think Dempsey needs experience. And ORECA announced they will run Toyota chassis. I'm not sure why because Peugeots program was so good
 
No it wasn't....they've gone from being a customer team to being a full factory team (of Toyota no less), they'd have been stupid to stick with the sinking (financially) ship that is Peugeot Sport.
 
Stavelot
No it wasn't....they've gone from being a customer team to being a full factory team (of Toyota no less), they'd have been stupid to stick with the sinking (financially) ship that is Peugeot Sport.
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Oh I didnt know they were having financial problems but they had a great car
 
With all this talk of the 908 Hybrid 4 its kind of ironic that peole are saying peugeot will simpy cast off its programme to some privateer program...

Especially unbeleivable when you add in the fact that they bascially suggested that the 908 would run in a hybrid configuration. Does anyone here think a private team can handle the development of a hybrid system? Granted peugeot didnt really develop they're system in house either but still.

Dont know if this is a PR stunt or whatever buts its becoming a painful earful when people suggest peugeot won't be running they're own team this year. not when Toyota just joined. Not when they already have a faster car.
Perhaps theyre trying to see if the ACO/FIA will react, via some kind of resource restriction agreement? I'd love to see that happen to bring the cost down for the sake of WEC in longterm.
 
Such a shame, they were so good last year and is now on the edge of whether running the campaign or falling the campaign. They're desprately seeking for other privateers to work with them after ORECA, as stated is moving to work with Toyota.

Peugeot's drivers have walk away pursuing their interest notably Alex Wurz, Pedro Lamy, Nic Minnasian, Simon Pagenaud and Sebastien Bourdais leaving the team with only 4 remaining drivers eventhough they have tested dozens of drivers recently and any of them could take up the vacant seats. Still, they've lost their big guns.

This will give a massive implication to the P1 class. Audi and Peugeot have been fighting for years and this year might be the first without Peugeot to challenge the Audi. Toyota have decided that they will run on selected races, this is a shame. The final decision will be unveiled on January 30th.
 
I dont think peugeot has lost any big guns except for Pagenaud/Bourdais. In fact i think these guys are scheduled to run at Lemans as third drivers anyway, just not other WEC rounds?

Lamy was slow comparatively speaking, Minnasian was a tad slow as well, Alez Wurz wanted out to pursue a goal in a team where he was important.
The big guns(Sarrazin, Montagny, Davidson) thats where its at right now lol.
 
I think if Peugeot wants a resource restriction agreement, they should open up the regs a bit... With a budget cap and a Strict car formula, You'll start to look like F1, and maybe even Indy. No massively inspired cars or anything that doesnt look similar to what they guy next door runs. That wont be good for the image of the WEC.

They've been having issues, Peugeot, but it doesn't surprise me. From what I'm told they make hideous cars, and I'm sure that hurts their income. But I think it wise to cut the P1 program, and not cut the WRC program.

If anything, they need a sponsor to sweep in and save the day. I'm not sure how much Total and Sony kick in, But their car is pretty devoid of sponsorship. Which leads me to believe that they weren't really seeking sponsorship. Hell, Red Bull dumps loads of Cash into Citroen, maybe the LMP1 Program wouldn't be such a bad place to extend their seeming abundance of sponsorship money? They'd get plenty of press coverage if they are even as remotely successful as they were this year. Imagine, a Red Bull lockout of the WEC, WRC, and F1. Or even if Red Bull cars won the Rally Monaco, Grand Prix of Monaco, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Huge opportunities for brand recognition.

IF I had a major European company, I'd want my name on the side of a 908, because they are so successful.

MAYBE, and this is a huge MAYBE, Prodrive gets fed up with Aston Martin, and takes the reigns up at Peugeot? They'd have to bring a sponsor with them, but that may work well...
 
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Blaze_409
I dont think peugeot has lost any big guns except for Pagenaud/Bourdais. In fact i think these guys are scheduled to run at Lemans as third drivers anyway, just not other WEC rounds?

Lamy was slow comparatively speaking, Minnasian was a tad slow as well, Alez Wurz simply wanted to be a lead driver.

The big guns(Sarrazin, Montagny, Davidson) thats where its at right now lol.
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Pagenaud and Bourdais have both secured a full season IndyCar drive and the yet-to-be-confirmed Milwaukee round that is very likely to conflict with Le Mans might be the end for 2 of these guys in Le Mans and for Peugeot.

I'm not denying the fact that Sarrazin, Montagny and Davisdon are the experts and big guns in Peugeot but Lamy, Wurz, Pagenaud and Bourdais are all good drivers and are also big guns to help taking down the Audis. They're well experienced behind the Peugeot team.

However, Marino Franchitti, Lucas Di Grassi, Bertrand Baguette, Loic Duval, Olivier Pla and 2011 reserve driver JK Vernay have all been tested and might take the vacant seats. But it all depends whether Peugeot is running their program or not.
 
Prodrive owns Aston (or Aston owns Prodrive) so them running anything but an Aston won't happen...they won't even build a new car for a privateer that isn't an Aston (trust me, I'v asked if they'd build a new GT1 Saleen S7R or Corvette and they said no because of their deal with Aston).
 
InvincibleM5
Pagenaud and Bourdais have both secured a full season IndyCar drive and the yet-to-be-confirmed Milwaukee round that is very likely to conflict with Le Mans might be the end for 2 of these guys in Le Mans and for Peugeot.

I'm not denying the fact that Sarrazin, Montagny and Davisdon are the experts and big guns in Peugeot but Lamy, Wurz, Pagenaud and Bourdais are all good drivers and are also big guns to help taking down the Audis. They're well experienced behind the Peugeot team.

However, Marino Franchitti, Lucas Di Grassi, Bertrand Baguette, Loic Duval, Olivier Pla and 2011 reserve driver JK Vernay have all been tested and might take the vacant seats. But it all depends whether Peugeot is running their program or not.
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All of those drivers are a bit Lack-luster. They should probably go for Di Grassi and Vernay from that group. Vernay has obviously driven the 908 before, and Di Grassi is good young talent that can grow with the team and car (Assuming Peugeot stick around)

Stavelot
Prodrive owns Aston (or Aston owns Prodrive) so them running anything but an Aston won't happen...they won't even build a new car for a privateer that isn't an Aston (trust me, I'v asked if they'd build a new GT1 Saleen S7R or Corvette and they said no because of their deal with Aston).
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Prodrive did stuff for BMW in the WRC.

I know that the current Aston line doesn't allow for much of a Rally program, but still.

I call BS. When did you ask them?
 
Stavelot
Prodrive owns Aston (or Aston owns Prodrive) so them running anything but an Aston won't happen...they won't even build a new car for a privateer that isn't an Aston (trust me, I'v asked if they'd build a new GT1 Saleen S7R or Corvette and they said no because of their deal with Aston).
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Prodrive doesn't own Aston Martin, David Richards(as well as some other investors) does, he just sits on the board at Prodrive. Prodrive as a company has no stake in Aston Martin.

They also run(for now) the Mini WRC entry, although it's future is unknown.
 
hawkeye122
All of those drivers are a bit Lack-luster. They should probably go for Di Grassi and Vernay from that group. Vernay has obviously driven the 908 before, and Di Grassi is good young talent that can grow with the team and car (Assuming Peugeot stick around)
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Yeah, what I can see too but assuming they actually pick those 2, but I think they'd still need another 3 to fill up unless they decided to cut down into just 2 cars running...
 
InvincibleM5
Yeah, what I can see too but assuming they actually pick those 2, but I think they'd still need another 3 to fill up unless they decided to cut down into just 2 cars running...
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That would seem a likely option. Cut down to 2, and allow 2 more to be run by privateers.
 
I should have clarified, in GT racing (which allows them to run the Mini WRC program). I emailed them sometime last year, I'd get a copy of the email but atm I'm on my phone so I'll do it when I get home.
 

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