[LM24] Le Mans 2024 Test Day - Practice - Qualifying

[Articus]

Originally Posted by tomcug

Yea, pretty expected but regardless of what David Floury has to say, they will be in the hunt for victory, that's for sure. It's a great car and they didn't get hit as hard by BOP like last year.

Yes in my opinion nothing that any manufacturer says can be taken seriously. They are all biased. That GR010 is an exceptional package and with only 1053kg (only 10 more than Ferrari/Porsche) this year, they will be a front runner.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Adam43

As well as the SC test, the timing screen test, in addition to actual testing cars and drivers we see another usual test phenomena. The ACO ate laying down the law heavily on track limits.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...ock-notes.html
See half way down the notes

Only 1 car apparently wasn't on the track limits abuse score list! See bottom of page 2 -> https://www.dailysportscar.com/wp-co...-Session-2.pdf

[Mike E]

More video

https://youtu.be/4-4esLNXiZk?si=oCBFtVMatkHzjz3-

[Ferrari333SP]

Looks like rain on Friday, but for the race itself we should be rain-free, which is very exciting.

[Ferrari333SP]

Over one lap Porsche is probably tops, but I think Toyota will be tops when it comes to race pace. They will have seen what happened last year and react properly to it.

[Ferrari333SP]

Also, is it just me, or does the engine of the Alpine make a kind of hissing noise? None of the other cars/engines I've noticed do that

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

Also, is it just me, or does the engine of the Alpine make a kind of hissing noise? None of the other cars/engines I've noticed do that

The other turbo cars use two turbos. The Alpine only uses one (larger?) turbo.

[Articus]

A casual observation after looking over the test day data on the alkamel timing website: Ferrari recorded many laps with abnormally low top speeds. The typical top speeds for the class are in the range of 330-340km/h. On numerous laps Ferrari only "appeared" to reach between 300 and 320km/h at the speed trap. This is not the result of the power gain system. It just looks like they were hiding performance.


For Porsche and Toyota, the distribution of top speeds is more typical. I made a histogram below. You can see the large count of top speeds recorded above 330km/h and their range for Toyota and Porsche, and you can see how the distribution of the Ferrari top speeds has higher frequency at significantly lower top speeds.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Articus

The other turbo cars use two turbos. The Alpine only uses one (larger?) turbo.

The Isotta is also single turbo, for what that's worth

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Mike E

The Isotta is also single turbo, for what that's worth

Gotcha. The Isotta power unit was developed with the Mercedes Formula 1 engine factory and I've been told that it sounds exactly like a current Formula 1 car.

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Articus

Gotcha. The Isotta power unit was developed with the Mercedes Formula 1 engine factory and I've been told that it sounds exactly like a current Formula 1 car.

And therein lies the reason as to why Mercedes didn't build a contender for the WEC, not to mention the developers of the IF powertrain have one thing in common: the "A" in HWA is the same person (Aufrecht) that was involved in the creation of AMG.

[S griffin]

Seems Porsche will be tough to beat. The others need as smooth as race as possible and hope Porsches slip up. Toyota are playing down their chances, but you never know with them. Especially with their quality lineup

[Coach Ep]

History has the power to teach us a lesson or two, so let's have a look back. DSC posted these 2 articles (almost simultaneously) and the (potential) similarities appear to be very relevant... :

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...-hierachy.html

and

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...t-le-mans.html

While Porsche seems to have the best form right now, it's anybody's race to win imo.

[TF110]

In a perfect race it looks like Porsche is favorite. I think it's clear from the races this year and the test day that they have the fastest all around car. Ferrari has (had?) top speed and qualifying pace, but in the race it's been Porsche. I believe that it's from having so many of their 963's running and all that data getting back to the teams. It's only Tuesday though so let's see what others do and if the ACO/FIA change any bop last minute. My surprise of the test was BMW.

[modifica]

BMW is my dark horse to challenge Porsche/Ferrari/Toyota

[Articus]

Originally Posted by modifica

BMW is my dark horse to challenge Porsche/Ferrari/Toyota

I have a hard time seeing them finish the race distance. I think they will be fast and play spoilers in the first half however.

[joeb]

I think weather is going to be a bigger factor than bop!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by joeb

I think weather is going to be a bigger factor than bop!

Followed by strategy, tyre management, drivers, pit stops, lapping, and luck. Then BoP.

[Gerard C]

Agreed. Nights are really cold those days, around 10 Celsius if not less (20/22 C day light).

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Followed by strategy, tyre management, drivers, pit stops, lapping, and luck. Then BoP.

So you admit the fix is in?

[Ferrari333SP]

I'm going to get nothing done tomorrow at work once practice starts

[Matador]

Originally Posted by joeb

So you admit the fix is in?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by joeb

So you admit the fix is in?

Yes. I’ve just sold my ticket and am on my way back home.

[Articus]

My money is on Alpine being a surprise package this weekend. Just a hunch. There were signs in Spa.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by Articus

My money is on Alpine being a surprise package this weekend. Just a hunch. There were signs in Spa.

Until the mechachomes give out at the 11 hour mark.