[WEC Race] WEC 2015 Round 1: Silverstone

[outnumbered]

Great race, although ultimately not quite as close as ELMS yesterday. By God it was windy, I was glad of 3 layers of thermals plus textile motorcycle kit, so actually stayed quite warm

Certainly the biggest crowd I can remember at this meeting, and good to see Silverstone finally making a proper effort for the on-site spectators. A few years ago it was absolutely dismal, but actually feels like a proper occasion now.

Lots of cars were being warned by the race director for track limit violations, and one Aston was way beyond 4 wheels off at Club on pretty much every lap. Didn't really agree with the Audi penalty as it was inconsistent, and although they gained track position, it was as much an avoiding manoeuvre as anything else.

[Ginaro Zukovsky]

Originally Posted by J Jay

But if there was a way to pay the ACO in order to watch full race broadcasts I could have answered the question myself...

Well someone already has 4 hours of the Japanese broadcast on youtube - sync it up with the RLM podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha7wRpRSUJo

[TheMightyM]

Per John Dagys, the #30 ESM car has been excluded for failing post-race technical inspection (front and rear panels didn't meet 20mm minimum thickness). Strakka up to third in P2 as a result.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

Per John Dagys, the #30 ESM car has been excluded for failing post-race technical inspection (front and rear panels didn't meet 20mm minimum thickness). Strakka up to third in P2 as a result.

Cue Strakka having a championship run like SMP had last year?

Sad for ESM - ran solidly through today. Looking forward to seeing what they can do with a Ligier and if they can take the fight to G-Drive.

[Damian Baldi]

What a race

I'm not sure to read the cars performance from race results. First, I think the #17 Porsche was using more downforce than the #18 but I can't confirm that, but look the rear wing on the pic.

Audi is Audi, and they looks to get results where it looks impossible. What is impressive is the acceleration and final speed of the Porsches. Maybe with more downforce they could win the race, who knows, and who knows what they were testing in this race. The most important thing for me, it's the problems on the #17 car. I was waiting more from Toyota, let's see how they do at Spa, but I think the concept of that car is all about Le Mans. Spa should be different with so many challenging corners.

About the racing ways at Silverstone, I think there was an abuse of the run off areas, and that must end because they are driving like crazy, and putting cars from the lower categories in danger.

The P2 was a good promise of what will could see later. The Ligier cars are enjoying the top of the list, but I see a very good challenge from the new Oreca. Sadly the Dome's car is not fast enough with his low downforce. Maybe it could be an advantage at Le Mans.

To finish, I have to say that the ByKolles car was terrible slow all the weekend. I wish they be able to get progress, because I think the Rebellion's cars will kick their ass and I hope to see the ByKolles car and other privateers P1.






EDIT: Don't forget it was a very could race, and that change everything.

[Peat]

Superb race, one of the very best races i've seen in person. Sat in the Beckett's grandstand watching Porker/Audi and Audi/Toyota changing places lap after lap was sublime.

But yes, my joy failed to spike into orgasmic levels due to that wind. It happens every year, I always underestimate how bloody cold Silverstone is. Despite 4 layers and gloves, the relentless wind really took it out of me.

Silverstone in April.... Can't help this event would be better served in it's previous late summer slot. I dare say I would camp for the weekend too.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Peat

Silverstone in April.... Can't help this event would be better served in it's previous late summer slot. I dare say I would camp for the weekend too.

This is one of the reasons (there are many more) why the championship would be better served with 10 races.
There is talk of an Australian race being added, but it makes no sense to start off there and then move back to Europe. Far too costly.
A race in say Barcelona, Monza or Portimao (or Aragon or Paul Ricard) would make a perfect season opener. That could be followed by Spa, and then Silverstone after Le Mans.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

A race in say Barcelona, Monza or Portimao (or Aragon or Paul Ricard) would make a perfect season opener. That could be followed by Spa, and then Silverstone after Le Mans.

Ah yes, but it would be a travesty to move the Bahrain or China dates. I mean, all 3 spectators would have to change their plans.

[Spyderman]

Great post-race interviews :http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...ace-interviews

[Akrapovic]

Incredible race but a worrying penalty. LMPs (and GTs) were abusing track limits from lap 1, and often passed on the exit of Copse. To give a stop n go penalty for one incident was worrying. That doesn't bode well for Le Mans, with the exit of the first and second chicanes especially.

It was great seeing Audi v Porsche. It somehow feels more Le Mans and classic seeing those names fighting each other. Whilst I'm sure Toyota will be disappointed to be essentially 45 seconds down on the Audi (what it would've been on performance, rather than what it was after the penalty), they'll be stronger at Spa. So unless Audis low drag version is better than last years, I expect Toyota to head Porsche at Spa, with Audi trailing.

Originally Posted by Spyderman

This is one of the reasons (there are many more) why the championship would be better served with 10 races.
There is talk of an Australian race being added, but it makes no sense to start off there and then move back to Europe. Far too costly.
A race in say Barcelona, Monza or Portimao (or Aragon or Paul Ricard) would make a perfect season opener. That could be followed by Spa, and then Silverstone after Le Mans.

I doubt they'll add more races, given they want each event to feel like that - an event, rather than just another race (which is what F1 has become). But I don't think Paul Ricard has a place on any calender (what an awful circuit to watch racing on!), but Monza and Portimao should make an appearence. But Spa should stay pre-Le Mans. It's now a traditional build up and should be preserved.

I think the Bahrain event should be dropped completely. I don't think it brings anything to any series what so ever. At least China can be argued it's a huge market, but Bahrain is no different to any other country.

[Spyderman]

You will note that in my suggestion above, Spa continues to be before Le Mans.

It seems really silly to me not to take advantage of Southern Europe if you have a season that starts in mid-April.
Going to good old Blighty at that time of the year, is a bit like playing Russian Roulette but with a full chamber.
They were just lucky that this year the gun jammed.

[TF110]

It was interesting to hear Gerard talk of Australia. Did he say Adelaide? They could fit that in at the end of the year when they're in the pacific region, then head to Bahrain after.

[P3ndula]

Originally Posted by Peat

But yes, my joy failed to spike into orgasmic levels due to that wind. It happens every year, I always underestimate how bloody cold Silverstone is. Despite 4 layers and gloves, the relentless wind really took it out of me.

Learnt from last year. With Silverstone a 15C forecast translates to -5C when you get there.

[Gingers4Justice]

I think Toyota leave Northamptonshire massively underrated. Don't be fooled by yesterday's form. They're still a force to be reckoned with - even the #2. It's true that Toyota struggled this weekend, but the same was true last year as well - don't forget that the Audis matched them at the very least at Silverstone in 2014, despite them a much weaker car throughout the season, and Porsche in Le Mans trim in their first race were hardly going to be much of a challenge. They were lucky the Audis ruined their own race.

The gap between the new cars and the 2013 cars also isn't as great around Silverstone as I predict it will be at other circuits, because it's much more of a momentum track, meaning the air-restrictor cars of the past don't give away so much time. Simply put, the lack of hard braking zones makes it difficult for the hybrids, and it affects the team with the smallest amount of hybrid power the least. That's Audi, and they also happen to be quick through the fast twisty bits, which Silverstone isn't short of either.

Silverstone really doesn't suit Toyota's super-capacitor system. It's fine harvesting quickly and dumping it all straight away again, so long as you have the braking and acceleration zones to do it properly. Le Mans and the Tilkedromes suit that down to a tee, but Silverstone and Interlagos last season, not so much. Don't forget that last year at Silverstone was the only time Toyota ran their true ultra-HD package, and that's a sign of how weak they are there.

Porsche demonstrated the advantages of their system yesterday very well. Even if they're only able to harvest 75% of what they can achieve, that's still equal to Toyota's absolute maximum, which obviously they couldn't manage yesterday. They also have the flexiblity of deciding where to deploy it, which I'm sure helped Jani in his fight with Fassler.

Porsche are a curious case. I can't wait to see what lap times they pull in qualifying at Le Mans (fingers crossed for a dry session!), and given that they were pleasantly surprised at how kind they were on tires at Silverstone, they could easily pull away from the pack in the opening stages of the big one in June. But those batteries don't last forever, and reliability remains a concern. I'm salivating at the prospect of a good, old-fashioned "tortoise and the hare"-style race at La Sarthe.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

I'm salivating at the prospect of a good, old-fashioned "tortoise and the hare"-style race at La Sarthe.

...But according to Hindy, the hare will be Nissan, and the rest will be the tortoises. He aid something along the lines of "....this lot will look like they have been nailed to a post".

[Peat]

#eatsleepPLUGNISSANrepeat

I fear Nissan will be nowhere near the other 3 in order to utilise their top speed.

[sonic]

what an amazing race! genuinely thrilling. and a great prospect for a super competitive season. You'd never know it to read this dreary article. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118485 come on Autosport, you've got to raise your WEC game!

[brands]

Great weekend with two stunning races.

[eps]

Boom! All 3 days served up some excellent on track interest!



Can't wait for Spa and then of course LM!!

I must say I already thought Audi were WEC focussed and Porsche certainly seem to have their sights firmly aimed at LM.. Toyota seemed off the pace (certainly the number 2 was - any news about that??) but then again they were only some 10 seconds off P2 at the end... So possibly looking at getting both cars to the finish as opposed to Porsche who only managed 1, but the Webber stint was phenomenal at the beginning and must surely be a hint of their intent for June.

[Mike E]

Looks like ByKolles missed the open goal and weren't classified at the end. They could have done with the points in the bank for when Rebellion turn up.
Of course, Rebellion may encounter reliability issues with their new engine installation when they do finally run.

[Akrapovic]

To not be classified in what is really a class of one is a bit disappointing. If Rebellion manage to beat them whilst running 2 less races then it doesn't look good.

[Badlands99]

Got to agree with posts so far ................

Brilliant race for the whole 6 Hours, from the build up to the start right through the chequered flag.

Not been to race day for this event since the halcyon days of mid 80's/90's (went on Friday last year just for photography) but thought that the race was a perfect example of sports car racing.

Close competition, some fantastic close dicing ......... watched the 2nd hour from Village grandstand and to see the Audi & Porsche trading the lead sometimes 2 or 3 times a lap was just stunning.

Also agree with the comments about the atmosphere ...... Silverstone, for all the regular criticism that it gets, really excelled themselves the whole weekend. Plenty happening, roving grandstand tickets, entertainment and the shuttle bus service. Well done to the organising team.

But the wind........................

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

To not be classified in what is really a class of one is a bit disappointing. If Rebellion manage to beat them whilst running 2 less races then it doesn't look good.

Absolutely disappointing for ByKolles, especially to fall out so close to the end.

Was struck by how old school the car looks - fantastic to see it on the grid because ultimately we need efforts like this, but it reminded me of something from the late 90s rather than a contemporary LMP1.

[bella]

the paint job on the bykolles doesn't do it any favours at all!

lots of things said so far that i agree with. seeing the frontrunners swap the lead was fantastic because it's exactly what having a relatively free class is all about. two cars that were broadly the same pace over a single lap but in posession of completely different strengths and weaknesses owing to the differing uses of technology. now that to me reflects far better on the two brands involved than just one brand dominating, but perhaps that's the inner awkward sod speaking.

my only negative contribution would be that the strategy is incredibly difficult to follow and usually means losing control of following the race in depth for the majority of the running. it's only really clear for the first and last hours. that aspect of it is very hard for a sprint race convert to come to terms with, and i'm not sure there's anything that can be done by the organisers (or teams with social media) to help with that. i think it's possibly the one thing that will make it difficult for more people to develop a strong loyalty for the series.

echo the praise for the event organisers. i'd go as far to say that the weekend is one of the best value events for motorsport fans in the uk. it's expensive to watch motorsport here for a variety of reasons, but for your money you get a solid race experience, a good pitlane walkabout, and what i found to be a good, positive atmosphere. the premium over a btcc weekend is well worth it imo, even if it does happen at a fairly inhospitable time of year weather-wise.

the buses work well, but personally i prefer to be on foot. total mileage over 2 days was in the region of 35km...

anyone else seriously considering spa and the nurburgring?

[isynge]

Originally Posted by bella

anyone else seriously considering spa and the nurburgring?

Spa's already booked and Nurburgring looking increasingly like a runner (albeit likely to be a relatively brief in-out visit).

Interestingly having been a little bit negative about some of the aspects of the Silverstone experience in previous years it felt as though progress was being made. They've still a bit of a way to go but things like the efficiency of the buses, slightly better catering options, grandstands being open all made it hang together better than it has in previous years.