[FIA GT Race] 2017 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

I don't know why but I very much prefer this commentator to John Watson

Martin Haven? He's brilliant. But expect some rants. Martin loves a rant.

[gert]

Left front problem for 912. Puncture and bodywork damage.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

Left front problem for 912. Puncture and bodywork damage.

It was involved with #19 and #42 at T1. I think 42 was at fault judging by race control messages.

[gert]

Was the FCY for 912 - 19 - 42 ?
The TV never showed what caused that.

Another car off at sector 2

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

Was the FCY for 912 - 19 - 42 ?
The TV never showed what caused that.

Another car off at sector 2

I have no idea, just going on race control messages...which are oddly typed at times!

[Akrapovic]

Race control has changed that message from 42 to 43. Pro Strakka.

[gert]

55 in. Calado gets in.

[Akrapovic]

Martin Haven is saying you cannot double stint drivers, but I'm not sure that's true. My understanding is you can double stint drivers, but you can't run longer than 65 minutes per stint. Pit stop times mean it isn't worth double stinting tyres. But I think you can double stint a driver.

[gert]

I think he is specifically talking about the 55 car. They have a problem with the water supply for the drivers. Double stinting could wear them out due to the heat.

--

55 comes out behind the 63, which stopped during the previous short FCY (the one which we don't know why it happened)

[Akrapovic]

Could be. This double stinting driver thing comes up a lot in Blancpain, since they aren't used to doing it. The same discussion happened at Paul Ricard too. Very odd!

[gert]

I am sure they can double stint (can as in: is allowed). I am certain some teams did so before.

They also they couldn't double tires. But since that's Pirelli that's not really a surprise.
That's not really a problem anyhow, because there's no limit on tire use (except maybe budget)

--

43 McLaren in the garage

--

I like that guy doing the interviews. He's asking good questions.
The blonde girl is looking better, but this guy knows what he's doing.

[Starfish Primer]

This is what the regulations say. I don understand the difference between the 2 phrases in red.

Case B: for 24-hour races
It is not mandatory to change driver or to change all four tyres at each pit stop.
A limitation on the length of the pit stops will be imposed, in accordance with article 61.
Each car must complete one Technical Pit stop, which should have a minimum duration of five
minutes from pit-in to pit out. The car must enter the pits to complete the Technical Pit stop
before the end of the 22nd hour of the race.
Any car failing to complete the Technical Pit stop before this time will be given a stop-and-go
penalty of an equivalent duration of the missed Technical Pit Stop.
The maximum continuous driving time per driver is three hours 15 minutes, counted from the
first time that driver crosses the pit exit line until the time the car crosses the pit exit line with a
different driver behind the wheel, not including any time spent in the pits. Teams are
responsible for making sure the correct driver is shown on the timekeeping system. After this
period, a minimum rest period of one hour is required. No driver can drive more than 14 hours
in total. A penalty will be imposed on the car of any driver who exceeds these limits.
Driving Stints
a) The maximal duration of a driving stint will be 65 minutes. This will be extended to 70
minutes while the safety car is on track or if a Full Course Yellow period is in operation. The first
driving stint will be counted from the start of the race until the first time that the car crosses the
pit lane entry line. For the final stint, the last driving stint will be counted from the last time the
car crosses the pit lane exit line until the end of the 24-hour period. For all other driving stints,
the time duration will be counted from the time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the
next time the same car crosses the pit lane entry line. The extension to 70 minutes is only
applicable if the safety car is on track at the end of a driving stint for a specific car or if a Full
Course Yellow period is in operation.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Starfish Primer

This is what the regulations say. I don understand the difference between the 2 phrases in red.

It's a subtle difference in wording.

The first bit you've highlighted is about the amount of time the driver is in the car. So the driver is allowed to do 3 Hours and 15 minutes. This is approxmiately 3 stints.

The second bit is the time between pit stops. So the maximum time between stops is 65 minutes. This is enforced because it means they don't have to balance fuel loads in the BoP. It makes the BoP process easier.

Driver is allowed to drive up to 3h 15m
Stint length (time between pit stops) is 65 minutes.

[gert]

Originally Posted by Starfish Primer

This is what the regulations say. I don understand the difference between the 2 phrases in red.

I think what it says is that a stint can be 65 minutes max between 2 pitstops.
And a single driver can do 3 stints max (3x 65 = 3 hours 15) before handing over to another driver.

So single, double, triple stints are OK, as long as you stop every 65 minutes. No quadruple stints allowed.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

I think what it says is that a stint can be 65 minutes max between 2 pitstops.
And a single driver can do 3 stints max (3x 65 = 3 hours 15) before handing over to another driver.

So single, double, triple stints are OK, as long as you stop every 65 minutes. No quadruple stints allowed.

You know what is interesting is that the stint length can be 70 minutes if a FCY is out, but the driving time does not get extended. So you can have 65, 70 and 65 stints, and that brings it to 3h 20 minutes, and you'll be over the drive time, but within the stint regulations.

[gert]

Another FCY coming up

[gert]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

You know what is interesting is that the stint length can be 70 minutes if a FCY is out, but the driving time does not get extended. So you can have 65, 70 and 65 stints, and that brings it to 3h 20 minutes, and you'll be over the drive time, but within the stint regulations.

That's true, so someone must be keeping the maths.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

That's true, so someone must be keeping the maths.

Except at M-Sport.

FCY now. Let's see who blinks and who doesn't.

[gert]

And even a Safety Car. Any reason why?

--

55 has been in

--

car off ar turn 7 it seems. #65 ?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

And even a Safety Car. Any reason why?

--

55 has been in

63 and the 1 as well.

Not sure if the 2 has. The 8 did not.

[gert]

Vanthoor looks really exhausted.
No airco in their car an he did a double stint.

Apparantly a crew member from another team was hit by the wing of their car when Christensen came in.

--

SC in.

[gert]

Originally Posted by gert

Apparantly a crew member from another team was hit by the wing of their car when Christensen came in.

He was injured and that hit was the reason for the 3 minute stop/go

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by gert

He was injured and that hit was the reason for the 3 minute stop/go

Do we know which car he was part of?

[gert]

"No double stinting. Yes for the drivers, no for the tires".
That's Pirelli quality for you.

[gert]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Do we know which car he was part of?

Commentator speculated it was TF sport as they are next door to the Porsche. But that was just guessing.

I hadn't heard of that incident before Vanthoor mentioned it in the interview. I think they hadn't either.

--

78 in. One driver out, another in. Neither will be Ramos.