[WEC] New rules. New manufacturers. The 2021 and beyond positivity thread!

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by TF110

Yes, a new GT3 at the least, based on the Temerario for '26. Thats what Lamborghini said.

End of the road for the V10?

[flatlandsman]

O course, it is a bit of a dinosaur of an engine in these times, plus it is an Audi unit and they are obviously went this year. They will want to align.

[S griffin]

Sadly there is less demand for a V10 now. Can't see it lasting much longer

[rdjones]

Just leaving this here.....

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...ype-entry.html

[broadrun96]

Doesn't really surprise, especially LMDh route. Have to be gentlemen drivers out the pushing for a LM run in their AMGs and may even buy the LMDh cars after the run for collection.

Does feel like the space will open for the MB/Genesis programs with Lambo running in IMSA enduros and maybe then selling them as a track day toy

[Ferrari333SP]

Would be fantastic to get them involved; with the cost-cap in F1, surely, like Ferrari, they have a lot more money available now to spend on motorsports, so should be able to easily financially support a WEC program. They have an incredible roster of factory GT3 drivers to choose from as well.

[crooky]

Originally Posted by rdjones

Just leaving this here.....

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...ype-entry.html

'Whilst much of the paddock rumour mill continues to circulate around the future of Lamborghini in the FIA WEC’s top class, the reality is that even if a withdrawal or sabbatical is confirmed ahead of 2025 there appear to be several routes by which full-season WEC grids can be maintained in the high 30s.'

Where has this come from regarding Lamborghini? I haven't seen anything on DSC to suggest this before it was snook into this article.

I thought they were likely pulling out of IMSA to focus on WEC only?

[chernaudi]

Probably favoring IMSA due to it being a regional series and hence travel expenses are less of a burden than in the WEC even with more races per a season.


But for Lamborghini, just like Ganassi with Cadillac, running a two car team split between two series hasn't been paying dividends. Especially since Lamborghini runs only part time in both series. Not to mention that the ACO wants manufacturers to run two cars full time starting next season in the WEC.


But also running part time means that Lamborghini are maybe having the same issues that Cadillac did against Audi in the ALMS in the early 2000s. Cherry picking races isn't getting the job done, and Audi themselves showed with the R8 and R10 that a car needs race miles to be truly successful.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Probably favoring IMSA due to it being a regional series and hence travel expenses are less of a burden than in the WEC even with more races per a season.


But for Lamborghini, just like Ganassi with Cadillac, running a two car team split between two series hasn't been paying dividends. Especially since Lamborghini runs only part time in both series. Not to mention that the ACO wants manufacturers to run two cars full time starting next season in the WEC.


But also running part time means that Lamborghini are maybe having the same issues that Cadillac did against Audi in the ALMS in the early 2000s. Cherry picking races isn't getting the job done, and Audi themselves showed with the R8 and R10 that a car needs race miles to be truly successful.

Lambo has run full time in WEC this year.

[Mike E]

On the Mercedes thing, Jules Gounon being 'allowed' to go and race a potential rival's LMDh this year starts to make some sense.

[FIRE]

Mercedes would be great.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Mike E

On the Mercedes thing, Jules Gounon being 'allowed' to go and race a potential rival's LMDh this year starts to make some sense.

Are you suggesting some type of debauchery?

[flatlandsman]

I seriously doubt Merc are planning a HYpercar.

They were very badly but rightly rubbished in their last full time campaign and have a lot on elsewhere. I could only see it if it really booms out of all control and then you might eve see others come back, we need a Nissan or Honda really too.

But I fear for that happening as it would then probably bust again as it has done several times. Only really interesting point is would Liberty be as afraid of it as Bernie was? And WRC for that matter back in the 80's and the very early 2000's

[TF110]

F1's cost-cap frees up a good amount of money for a manufacturer like Mercedes to do something else like hypercar. I don't believe they'll come anytime soon but maybe there's actually fire behind this smoke?

[flatlandsman]

I have not really read much into it to be honest, so might be worth me doing some digging!

But the increase in popularity is sure to pique interest from anyone, but surely their interest ASAP is a GT3 entry.

[veeten]

Just imagine what the grid for Daytona and Le Mans will be by '27...

Now, since they are going for LMDh, who will they be working with for building/developing the chassis?
Also, what kind of engine will they choose for their PU... seeing as they can bring over some of that hybrid tech from their F1 development. Well, Ferrari, Honda, Alpine, and others are doing so, not to mention Peugeot, GM (Cadillac), VAG(Porsche, Lamborghini...)... and since Hyundai threw their hat in, choosing WEC over F1, others like Ford and Alfa Romeo have said that they're "mulling it over" about joining.

Seems to be the hottest thing in motor racing, and everyone is trying to get in on the action.

Wait a minute, I remember saying something similar to this back in '22...

[Adam43]

It’s the beginning of the end.

Soon we will be wondering what Pescarolo is doing…

[veeten]

Well, they were promised a privateer 9X8 a while back...

[Adam43]

Did they send it back?

[veeten]

I believe it was held up over team funds... the usual.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by veeten

Just imagine what the grid for Daytona and Le Mans will be by '27...

Now, since they are going for LMDh, who will they be working with for building/developing the chassis?
Also, what kind of engine will they choose for their PU... seeing as they can bring over some of that hybrid tech from their F1 development. Well, Ferrari, Honda, Alpine, and others are doing so, not to mention Peugeot, GM (Cadillac), VAG(Porsche, Lamborghini...)... and since Hyundai threw their hat in, choosing WEC over F1, others like Ford and Alfa Romeo have said that they're "mulling it over" about joining.

Seems to be the hottest thing in motor racing, and everyone is trying to get in on the action.

Wait a minute, I remember saying something similar to this back in '22...

If they go LMDh it's a spec unit so not much other than choosing the ICE lump they'll run in it. Wonder how the AMG would fit and balance in it

Originally Posted by Adam43

It’s the beginning of the end.

Soon we will be wondering what Pescarolo is doing…

Running a wingless Pug to be different. Or they could be the WEC entrant and then enter it as a Chrysler in IMSA??

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

If they go LMDh it's a spec unit so not much other than choosing the ICE lump they'll run in it. Wonder how the AMG would fit and balance in it

It's true you get a spec MGU and a spec battery pack but there's still a lot to play with in terms of how the hybrid is used and that makes a difference performance-wise.

[TF110]

They can play with the software but the freedom is very limited vs going to Hypercar route. I imagine that it's a good bit easier on the budget though.

[DistortedSmile]

So Lamborghini is again only doing the IMSA enduros with a single car next year. Are they staying in WEC after all? If they still pull out then this program must be really underfunded.

[Ferrari333SP]

Surely Mercedes would go for a LMH vs LMDH, right? Freedom to design the car how they want, combined with more than enough budget to fund the development.