[FIA GT] 2015 Blancpain Sprint Series

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by divxx

I was thinking the same thing, Thiim, as expected, was the fastest guy on track. Glad they didn't try to get him to play bulldozer, and overall, credit to WRT for always spreading their best drivers, they have so damn many (Vanthoor-Mies this year or Rast-Vanthoor last year would have just dominated).

One of the best performances Frijns has had this year, though one would expect that since it's his home race. Good ending that almost makes you forget the atrocious start/re-start from race direction.

Very happy that HTP got one today after Buhk got screwed out of both the sprint and overall titles last year. But it was an eye-opening season from Abril, who I previously assumed was just a decent pay driver, but was arguably stronger than his teammate the past few races.

That not-start was straight out of the Eduardo Freitas' Fuji Playbook. When only one car reacts to the restart there has probably been a big breakdown in communication somewhere along the line.

I was also surprised that Bonanomi didn't make more of a fight of the lead, not for the Audi angle but just because he gave it up so easily. He knew the Bentley was going to try into T1 the moment it went green, but he let Buhk sail by on the racing line. Don't worry Marco, Audi will always have an R18 for you to test...

To be honest I wouldn't have blamed Audi/WRT for letting Thiim have a go at duffing up Buhk (although obviously I would not have approved), that is ultimately what he is there for. I think a Thiim/Buhk/Frijns finish would have left the latter two tied on points with Abril for the Sprint Cup? Regardless, today Frijns showed the speed that has put him on the Audi factory ladder. He just needs to build up the race-savvy and that's exactly why he's in GT3. Audi could monster Blancpain with any two of their seasoned factory drivers but clearly they want to give Frijns experience at the front. With Vanthoor likely to become an LMP driver soon (a la Rast) Robin might find himself leading the WRT charge soon.

For all the brilliance Buhk has showed in the last three seasons, he still finds himself overshadowed by a teammate in some respects - first Schnieder, then Gotz, now Abril. He reminds me a lot of Fassler (who copped a bit of flak this morning) in that neither of them would be the first choice for drivers who will light up the timing screens, but they are both relentless and reliable so they fully deserve the success that comes their way. Even today I didn't think Frijns would get past apart from when he first drove up to the back bumper, Buhk did what had to be done and no more.

[urdragon]

Originally Posted by divxx

I was thinking the same thing, Thiim, as expected, was the fastest guy on track. Glad they didn't try to get him to play bulldozer, and overall, credit to WRT for always spreading their best drivers, they have so damn many (Vanthoor-Mies this year or Rast-Vanthoor last year would have just dominated).

Doesn't Mies pays a cent for racing? Lining him with Ide looks more like a Nightmare than a bless. I'm sure Frinjs has some money to support him, he is good but there must be something more than his single seater career when Audi gives him de best codriver in GT racing (The first year in GTs).

[Miguel]

After watching Chris Mies storm to the front in the first stint of the race, I would be totally fine if Mies and Frijns stay together as a team next year. That was some word class racing.

Also, awesome weekend and a fitting end to an amazing season. I'm proud to have been an insignificant part of it.

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by urdragon

Doesn't Mies pays a cent for racing? Lining him with Ide looks more like a Nightmare than a bless. I'm sure Frinjs has some money to support him, he is good but there must be something more than his single seater career when Audi gives him de best codriver in GT racing (The first year in GTs).

Mies is an Audi works driver and Frijns brings some money but I very much doubt that was a make or break part of the contract negotiations.

[Creep89]

Yup Mies is a GT factory driver like Thiim.

I think it's the philosophy of WRT to look for new, fast talents who weren't able to continue their career like they would.

[divxx]

It's hard to root against WRT, they're a very sporting team, though I do anyways because they hog all the trophies.

When HTP switched brands and MVDS cut back to a partial season, I feared this overall Blancpain season would be a snooze. And it could have been but for a couple of uncharacteristic moments from Laurens: at Spa most notably (where remember, they basically decided he would be lone champion again by splitting him and Frijns up, with Vanthoor lining up with the other top guys in the new car), and similarly when he tried to show his displeasure at being held up by the second Bentley at Misano.

Finally, after starting almost dead last, WRT somehow got the car out of the pits first, but for that stall. I think that's a big reason why Frijns was so disappointed despite getting a championship, it was so so close. Though personally, that stall saved me from losing it because then that botched restart would have made all the difference.

[gert]

Originally Posted by Creep89

Yup Mies is a GT factory driver like Thiim.

I think it's the philosophy of WRT to look for new, fast talents who weren't able to continue their career like they would.

Then one has to wonder why Ide is there...
He is not new, not fast and not talented.

Maybe because he's Belgian? Unless he brings loads of money to the team (dunno, I never saw a real sponsor name on their car), please replace him.
With Vervisch for example. He's Belgian too, but at least he's fast.

[divxx]

Ide is an interesting case in that he somehow gets slower with each additional year of experience, while remaining error-prone.

Considering how long he's been with the team, and how he's always teamed with one of the best available drivers, I'm guessing it's more than just a matter of nationality. Also, he may not need to bring in sponsors if he's got family money.

[Speed-King]

Ide's father is a pretty wealthy industrialist, IIRC....

[Creep89]

WRT has to look for money, too. They have a pretty big business maintaining customer cars (not only GT3). Ide is a paydriver I think.

[rich07]

Ide is definitely a pay driver, he certainly brings money for his ride.

[Mike Hedlund]

WRT is a customer racing team. Where do you think the money comes from?

-mike

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Ide's father is a pretty wealthy industrialist, IIRC....

Filthy rich, you might say. http://derijkstebelgen.be/vermogende/familie-louis-ide/

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Mike Hedlund

WRT is a customer racing team. Where do you think the money comes from?

-mike

Nah, not in the traditional meaning of the word. WRT is as close to a factory team as you can get in Blancpain, no other team in GT is so heavily supported by Audi Sport (not even Phoenix).

I wouldn't be surprised if their budget is (almost) twice the size as most of their main competitors.

[Mike Hedlund]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Nah, not in the traditional meaning of the word. WRT is as close to a factory team as you can get in Blancpain, no other team in GT is so heavily supported by Audi Sport (not even Phoenix).

I wouldn't be surprised if their budget is (almost) twice the size as most of their main competitors.

Apparently what I was told the last 2 years trying to drive with them was wrong. As well as what they're telling everyone driving the new R8 this year. Thanks!

-mike

[Miguel]

What did they tell you, Mike?