[WEC] WEC 2024

[joeb]

Originally Posted by claude2cv

Obviously not in 2024 , but we may see more red card

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/al...n-f1/10554554/

Sean

This is going to be a few years out if it happens for sure. But possibly a tie up with Peugeot to run their cars as Alfa cars in Imsa is more likely?

[veeten]

Then again, there's plenty of time for Alfa to make a proper announcement, as all three will make sure they understand the regs. Peugeot will work with them to provide the base chassis so they can build their car.

Personally, I want to see them base the outer body design on their new T33 Stradale.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by joeb

This is going to be a few years out if it happens for sure. But possibly a tie up with Peugeot to run their cars as Alfa cars in Imsa is more likely?

It sounds like the WEC is their target. I think hypercar not lmdh is what they should look towards.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by TF110

It sounds like the WEC is their target. I think hypercar not lmdh is what they should look towards.

That probably puts a 2026 debut on the table then? (if at all) Unless they had previously designed something.

[TF110]

In a motorsport.com article they hint at stelantis being in hypercar already (Peugeot) but I'm not sure that's a sign of a rebadge or maybe a shared technology like a Porsche/Audi deal before the latter decided on f1.

When we return to the track we will do so with the support of Stellantis' motorsport projects, and as Peugeot is already present in the WEC obviously co-operation is more than possible. Then perhaps the two projects may have parallel paths in other aspects, but in the end we are in the same family.

[airbusA346]

Endurance Info are suggesting Callum Illot might be one of the Jota Porsche 963 drivers.

[Mike E]

'The single-make series for Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2s will race on the WEC undercard at Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit of The Americas and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.'

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/lambor...r-lamborghini/

[Mike E]

LMGT3 Goodyear tyre test

https://youtu.be/Nmmy6-kIn84?si=dp04HP7H8MWd-ANV

[tomcug]

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/lema...ans-next-year/
Good news, no more tyre warmers exception for Le Mans.

[RL17]

Good news for Toyota, just like dropping the class drop backs.

But no real difference to this time last year - hope Michelin have done a much better job for next year.

[Adam43]

And the teams need to do a better job. Let’s see who can manage this important part of car set up and management.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by RL17

Good news for Toyota, just like dropping the class drop backs.

But no real difference to this time last year - hope Michelin have done a much better job for next year.

How is this good news for Toyota? Isn't it the same for everyone?

[Adam43]

Their tyre management was so much better than anyone else’s last year. The change for Le Mans was a huge boost for Ferrari (and others) last year.

Yes it is the same for everyone, but because they did a better job they have an advantage here. At the moment.

[Adam43]

Another snippet from the latest Racecar Engineering. Ferrari really struggled with the tyres according to Michelin. Unable to run the softer compounds without killing them. It did get better, but they still have a disadvantage to Toyota.

[chernaudi]

Also I don't think there's really any proprietary/confidential tires in the Hypercar class. Everyone has basically the same stuff now, and who ever can get their stuff to work the best with them will probably have a big advantage.

[TF110]

I think it's a case of experience pays off. I worry about Spa though. That's gonna be a tough one if (when) the weather doesn't play nice. Let's see how much the teams have learned.

[RL17]

Although both Hartley (qualifying) and Fuoco (race) crashed at Spa on cold tyres the Ferrari’s were consistently top of max speed figures (good set up for LM) and really struggled to get heat into slicks and both went over a lap down after that (even on 8 that started at back).

Ferrari had best lap speed for most of second half of race and did come back string for a third. Ferrari protested most about lack of tyre warmers (and Toyota moaned most about change for LM).

The additional ballast that Toyota (1,2 at Spa) got over Ferrari (3rd and second most ballast) for LM 2023 (not performance or results related at all?) is the reason Toyota felt they lost LM (even though Ferrari once up to speed had the faster cars at Spa).

A technological solution like solar panels on big team trucks and some battery storage would justify the tyre warmers surely better over a few seasons? Not worth one serious driver injury at Spa plus the footprint of replacement parts and transport of chassis etc. But I can see the appeal of cold tyres to people who drive overweight EVs made in China with power from new coal power stations! The big speed and lap time differences make the events look bad especially in qualifying- although the LMP2 tyres this year were better).

[Adam43]

“Overweight EVs made in China!”

[v8supes]

Im telling you that tyre warmers will be back, just wait.

[broadrun96]

Somehow I wonder what is different with the tires in IMSA vs WEC that suddenly makes them fiery death traps that should be abandoned at all cost. Are IMSA drivers that much better? And don't start the burnout in pit lane argument cause it's just flat bs on its face. First, that's GT and LMP2 now mostly as the GTPs launch on electric and don't spin them nearly enough to do anything.
Ok, temps. Well let's see Daytona is ALWAYS at or near 0 for hours on end and they go from the pits to the banking on a far shorter lap than Spa or LM so they must have figured out a way to not go spinning in to or out of the bus stop. Oh and Petit the last few including the one below 0 seemed to have no issues with lockup at 3 or out of the Esses. Yes, most of the season is warm but there are cold sessions so there is data.

Only conclusion I can come to is the basic misunderstanding of the FEW drivers who wreck vs the VAST majority of the Ams who somehow don't. Cold tires need to warm up and IT IS LITERALLY YOUR JOB TO DO THAT RIGHT, and every team needs to yell that in their drivers' ears and if they don't listen, well are they that good? Cause I believe the old adage is to finish first, first you must finish. But these are often the same idiots that wreck on lap 1 of LM trying to make 1 pass so maybe we shouldn't be surprised

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by RL17

The additional ballast that Toyota (1,2 at Spa) got over Ferrari (3rd and second most ballast) for LM 2023 (not performance or results related at all?) is the reason Toyota felt they lost LM (even though Ferrari once up to speed had the faster cars at Spa).

Sure thing, of course Hirakawa's crash had absolutely nothing to do with it

[TF110]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Somehow I wonder what is different with the tires in IMSA vs WEC that suddenly makes them fiery death traps that should be abandoned at all cost. Are IMSA drivers that much better? And don't start the burnout in pit lane argument cause it's just flat bs on its face. First, that's GT and LMP2 now mostly as the GTPs launch on electric and don't spin them nearly enough to do anything.
Ok, temps. Well let's see Daytona is ALWAYS at or near 0 for hours on end and they go from the pits to the banking on a far shorter lap than Spa or LM so they must have figured out a way to not go spinning in to or out of the bus stop. Oh and Petit the last few including the one below 0 seemed to have no issues with lockup at 3 or out of the Esses. Yes, most of the season is warm but there are cold sessions so there is data.

Only conclusion I can come to is the basic misunderstanding of the FEW drivers who wreck vs the VAST majority of the Ams who somehow don't. Cold tires need to warm up and IT IS LITERALLY YOUR JOB TO DO THAT RIGHT, and every team needs to yell that in their drivers' ears and if they don't listen, well are they that good? Cause I believe the old adage is to finish first, first you must finish. But these are often the same idiots that wreck on lap 1 of LM trying to make 1 pass so maybe we shouldn't be surprised

They ran different compound tires in the wec than imsa. I'm sure its covered in these forums. And I think even a driver who participated in both series chimed in too.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by TF110

They ran different compound tires in the wec than imsa. I'm sure its covered in these forums. And I think even a driver who participated in both series chimed in too.

Yes for last year, but in the coming season they are expected to have the same compounds in both IMSA and WEC.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by TF110

They ran different compound tires in the wec than imsa. I'm sure its covered in these forums. And I think even a driver who participated in both series chimed in too.

But did they adjust their driving? It's not like the ACO said oh by the way you've tested with warmers but now you can't? And I noticed the vast majority of the AMs did NOT throw their cars off track in LMP2 or GTE. Did they get a magically more sticky tire? I have the same comment as I do in F1, you know the rules and you decided, yeah, that's fine let's go full throttle before the tire is ready. In fact 99% plus of the stints were not impacted, to me that's a driver issue not rules.

[RL17]

That inexperienced Ried chap had fun on the out lap at Spa.

Voted out again for slicks in F1 because of risks to drivers and cars and ‘it would make F1 look stupid’

Big risks to drivers and cars at Spa and up to Dunlop. WEC Hypercar tyres were not up to job.

Most of the laps in the qualifying sessions (shortened for TV) are way off the pace - last 5 mins or so can be utterly pointless.

Slow laps in racing then break up battles and flow and then you get much increased risks of lengthy SC periods especially for the ageing barriers at LM.