[WEC] Porsche GTP / Hypercar: factory and customer

[gaaaazFR]

This rumor will last until the end of F1 season, but in any case it is much too earlier for being really serious... how will it turn if Webber starts winning races for RB? ;-)

It also depend on how many cars Porsche will put in LMP1, a figure nobody knows.

They already have 10 in-house factory drivers with a lot of talent, experience and knowledge of the "family" which has always been a key point for Porsche and for winning in Endurance (cf. Audi state of mind).

Even if the LMP program is run by an ex-F1 guy, I really cannot imagine Porsche doing the same silly things as Peugeot a few years ago... building on individuals instead of creating a real team.

Speaking about the drivers, in their 10 guys you can already eliminate a few of them who doesn't have a big single seater experience or... who won't fit into a close LMP1 ;-)

[GT6]

As already said the publicity is good for everyone and therefore everyone is happy

[Spyderman]

The problem is that Porsche will need to provide drivers for their customer GTE program next year. If 6 drivers (out of the current 10) are selected for the LMP1 project, then that leaves only 4 drivers to cover the WEC (GTE ) and the USCR programs. It also means that there may not be any drivers to support other (VLN) teams on conflicting days. It also means that there will be no back-up drivers.
Even with the promotion of Christensen and Bachler to the GTE program, this would mean there are only 3 drivers available to customers in each of the main GTE series.

I think (and this is pure speculation) that we are seeing what will be the backbone of the LMP1 project drivers in the current works team; with Dumas, Bernhard Lieb and Lietz being the future LMP1 drivers (with possibly Pillet).
Bergmeister will be the "senior" GTE driver, together with Pillet if he is not selected for the LMP1 project (all on going development of the 991 RSR).

IF this scenario plays out, then Porsche will still require another driver for their LMP program, or two drivers if Pillet stays with the GTE program.

[GT6]

Are we saying that they may be in the Market for top level drivers for 2014, not exactly rocket science after all that is what all the romours are about

[Spyderman]

Yes. I was just trying to make a point to those that argue that Porsche currently has enough drivers to cover their future needs.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Bergmeister will be the "senior" GTE driver, together with Pillet if he is not selected for the LMP1 project (all on going development of the 991 RSR).

Bergmeister only limit for LMP1 seat is his height! 1.94 cm is not exactly the same of McNish...
Neverthless I think he would be a wonderful P1 driver!

[GT6]

And just because they currently have a number of drivers on their books it does not mean they will still be there at the end of this season there is always a turnover anyway

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Dario911

Bergmeister only limit for LMP1 seat is his height! 1.94 cm is not exactly the same of McNish...
Neverthless I think he would be a wonderful P1 driver!

Agreed, but his height is a factor we just can’t deny.

[zanfo zanfagni]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

The problem is that Porsche will need to provide drivers for their customer GTE program next year. If 6 drivers (out of the current 10) are selected for the LMP1 project, then that leaves only 4 drivers to cover the WEC (GTE ) and the USCR programs. It also means that there may not be any drivers to support other (VLN) teams on conflicting days. It also means that there will be no back-up drivers.
Even with the promotion of Christensen and Bachler to the GTE program, this would mean there are only 3 drivers available to customers in each of the main GTE series.

I think (and this is pure speculation) that we are seeing what will be the backbone of the LMP1 project drivers in the current works team; with Dumas, Bernhard Lieb and Lietz being the future LMP1 drivers (with possibly Pillet).
Bergmeister will be the "senior" GTE driver, together with Pillet if he is not selected for the LMP1 project (all on going development of the 991 RSR).

IF this scenario plays out, then Porsche will still require another driver for their LMP program, or two drivers if Pillet stays with the GTE program.

it's all about race event clashes. In my opinion in WEC season lieb, dumas and bernhard will be the main drivers of the porsche lmp1 team while bergmeister, pilet, holzer and tandy will join teams that will use the 991 RSR, assuming that manthey porsche AG won't race in GTE class next-year. The whole work drivers pack surely will be sent to help backed teams during the season (daytona, USRC, adac gt, VLN, 24H nurburgring) but in a clash event, lmp1 program has the priority. Is not so different from audi and bmw, a lot of their factory drivers won't be able to take part to 24H of nurburgring because of DTM clash event.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by GT6

And just because they currently have a number of drivers on their books it does not mean they will still be there at the end of this season there is always a turnover anyway

..Although much of that is dependent on contract expiry dates.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by zanfo zanfagni

it's all about race event clashes. In my opinion in WEC season lieb, dumas and bernhard will be the main drivers of the porsche lmp1 team while bergmeister, pilet, holzer and tandy will join teams that will use the 991 RSR, assuming that manthey porsche AG won't race in GTE class next-year. The whole work drivers pack surely will be sent to help backed teams during the season (daytona, USRC, adac gt, VLN, 24H nurburgring) but in a clash event, lmp1 program has the priority. Is not so different from audi and bmw, a lot of their factory drivers won't be able to take part to 24H of nurburgring because of DTM clash event.

Indeed, and this weekend 8 of the 10 Porsche drivers are occupied, and one is in the US, so only Holzer will be available for the VLN.

[zanfo zanfagni]

didn't holzer use to run in the falken gt3r? reading these numbers, porsche should take on more drivers and follow an audi style modus operandi, with the whole work drivers army split in 3 different sectors. WEC, DTM and GT.

[gaaaazFR]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

The problem is that Porsche will need to provide drivers for their customer GTE program next year. If 6 drivers (out of the current 10) are selected for the LMP1 project, then that leaves only 4 drivers to cover the WEC (GTE ) and the USCR programs. It also means that there may not be any drivers to support other (VLN) teams on conflicting days. It also means that there will be no back-up drivers.
Even with the promotion of Christensen and Bachler to the GTE program, this would mean there are only 3 drivers available to customers in each of the main GTE series.

I think (and this is pure speculation) that we are seeing what will be the backbone of the LMP1 project drivers in the current works team; with Dumas, Bernhard Lieb and Lietz being the future LMP1 drivers (with possibly Pillet).
Bergmeister will be the "senior" GTE driver, together with Pillet if he is not selected for the LMP1 project (all on going development of the 991 RSR).

IF this scenario plays out, then Porsche will still require another driver for their LMP program, or two drivers if Pillet stays with the GTE program.

So far they've been speaking about 3 majors programs next year : Lmp1 ( possibly two cars in WEC), GTE in WEC (possibly one car) and GTE in USCR (possibly one car as well).

That make us 8 drivers full time on those programs, plus 3 at LM 24H... or maybe 6 at LM 24H if they choose to put 3 Lmp1.

I think adding ex-F1 drivers to the actual line-up will depend on the possible third Lmp.

But I definitely agree with your speculation : Dumas, Bernhard, Lieb, Lietz and Pilet are all very good contenders to be on the Lmp1 program (Maybe more Pilet than Lietz due to his WSR experience). And Bergmeister may stay on the GTE program as a senior.

[Starfish Primer]

Lucas Luhr is a driver close to Porsche with a lot of experience driving LMP1s.

[Simmi]

My prediction is that 3/10 of the Factory Pilots will advance to the P1 programme full-time.

If they roll out a third car at Le Mans (which I don't think they will in '14) they might add a couple more guys.

[gustavobamba]

Will we see the LMP1 from Porsche testing in June?? After Le Mans?

Or they will only show the car later???

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

Will we see the LMP1 from Porsche testing in June?? After Le Mans?

Or they will only show the car later???

Official word is still "mid 2013".

>> http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...t-for-mid-2013

[TRuss]

I'll be glad when it happens because I'm tired of reading about driver speculation.

[vincegail]

According to John Hindhaugh, Mark Webber has signed a 5 year contract to race for Porsche starting next year

[Aysedasi]

And there is now a separate thread on this - somewhere....

[gwyllion]

http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/..._13041701.html has an update on Porsche's LMP1 program. The rollout is planned for June.

The concept was established last year and the engine has been testing on the bench since August. In recent weeks, some details in the 2014 rules were changed which meant that they had to do additional work.

Wolfgang Hatz does not want disclose the engine configuration. However, he does state that it is not a straight six or a boxer. Many WEC observers assume that Porsche will use a 4 cilinder turbo. However, when reading that statement from Hatz, I believe that a V6 turbo could also be an option. In that case, the engine could be also used as a starting point for a F1 engine or a Indycar engine.

[Spyderman]

Thank you for this Mr. G!

I used the translator, so I may not have got the full gist of this, but my translator claims that Hatz said "No six cylinder and also no boxer". My understanding from that is that it will be a V something other than six.
Can you tell us how you reach your conclusion?

[gregtummer]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/..._13041701.html has an update on Porsche's LMP1 program. The rollout is planned for June.

The concept was established last year and the engine has been testing on the bench since August. In recent weeks, some details in the 2014 rules were changed which meant that they had to do additional work.

Wolfgang Hatz does not want disclose the engine configuration. However, he does state that it is not a straight six or a boxer. Many WEC observers assume that Porsche will use a 4 cilinder turbo. However, when reading that statement from Hatz, I believe that a V6 turbo could also be an option. In that case, the engine could be also used as a starting point for a F1 engine or a Indycar engine.

Think there is any chance it could run for Petit?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I used the translator, so I may not have got the full gist of this, but my translator claims that Hatz said "No six cylinder and also no boxer". My understanding from that is that it will be a V something other than six.
Can you tell us how you reach your conclusion?

In German the statement says: "Es ist kein Reihen-Sechszylinder und auch kein Boxer." For some reason the "Reihen" gets lost in translation by Google.

A Reihenmotor is is a straight/inline engine. See http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reihenmotor

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

In German the statement says: "Es ist kein Reihen-Sechszylinder und auch kein Boxer." For some reason the "Reihen" gets lost in translation by Google.

A Reihenmotor is is a straight/inline engine. See http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reihenmotor

Ah! Thanks!