Page 9 of 29 FirstFirst 1234567891011121314151617181920212223 ... LastLast
Results 241 to 270 of 855

Thread: 2016 WEC, IWTSC, ELMS thread.

  1. #241
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    488 GTE is stunning.

    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  2. #242
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  3. #243
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  4. #244
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  5. #245
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    Porsche has topped the time charts in the opening day of testing at the Prologue, with the German manufacturer showing the upper hand in all three sessions at Paul Ricard.

    Neel Jani ended as quickest of the day, thanks to the Swiss driver’s 1:37.487 lap set in Friday’s two-hour night session.

    Jani’s time was 0.860 seconds quicker than the No. 5 Toyota TS050 Hybrid, which was second quickest overall on the time sheets, and also second in the twilight.

    Audi continued its struggles with its new R18, as Andre Lotterer stopped on track midway through the session before returning to the pits under his own power. The car did not turn any additional laps.

    It came after the No. 7 car missed the majority of the afternoon session due to a “small mechanical issue.” Audi has not disclosed the exact problems of its diesel-powered contender.

    American Gustavo Menezes led the way in LMP2 in the night session, thanks to a 1:47.782 lap set in the No. 36 Signatech Alpine A460 Nissan.

    However, it was the No. 42 Strakka Racing Gibson 015S Nissan of Jonny Kane that was the fastest in LMP2 on the day, in a time set in the second. daytime session.

    Gianmaria Bruni (AF Corse) and Pedro Lamy (Aston Martin Racing) led the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am categories, respectively, in the night.

    Only 19 of the 29 cars completed laps in the session, with no other major issues reported beyond the Audi.

    Two additional test sessions are on tap for tomorrow to wrap up the Prologue test.
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  6. #246
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  7. #247
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  8. #248
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  9. #249
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  10. #250
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  11. #251
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    rest...

    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  12. #252
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  13. #253
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  14. #254
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  15. #255
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    Motorsport.com named as Official Digital Media Partner to FIA WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours

    Further expanding on its comprehensive motorsports digital platform, Motorsport.com today announced it has become “Official Digital Media Partner” to the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) – headlined by the 84th running of the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    As part of this agreement, Motorsport.com acquires on-site marketing rights, media visibility and branding aimed at reaching out the 120 million fans of the championship. Motorsport.com will be able to provide detailed, world-class FIA WEC editorial coverage, including digital video packages and social media integration, across its multi-language platforms for the entire 2016 season.

    Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest said: “This official partnership will allow Motorsport.com to reach the millions of fans worldwide of Le Mans and the entire FIA WEC, while those fans will receive enhanced coverage of the greatest endurance racing championship.”

    “We are sure Motorsport.com will prove to be a most valuable digital media partner by expanding our audience footprint into key global markets – all in their own native tongue,” commented Gérard Neveu, CEO of the World Endurance Championship.

    This February, Motorsport.com was awarded media partner status by France’s Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) to host live streaming of the press conference announcing the definitive invitees to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    “The FIA WEC has achieved so much by globalizing the spirit of the ACO’s fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans – it’s a privilege to be chosen as their official digital media partner,” said Charles Bradley, Editor in Chief, Motorsport.com. “It’s a win-win deal for both sides, as our businesses depend on exciting racing and compelling storylines. And there will be plenty of those in 2016 – all told in great depth by Motorsport.com.”
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  16. #256
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  17. #257
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    FIA WEC: Paul Ricard Prologue, Day 2 Morning Session, Porsche Continue To Top Times

    After being quickest of all the runners for the majority of the four-hour morning session to kick off Day 2 at the WEC prologue, Toyota ended up second on the screens after a very late lap by Brendon Hartley in the #1 Porsche 919 Hybrid. The New Zealander’s continued Porsche’s form from Day 1 with a 1:37.886, just under four tenths quicker than Anthony Davidson’s best lap in the #5 Toyota – a 1:38.273.

    Despite Davidson setting a promising time for the Toyota Gazoo Racing crew, it wasn’t a straight forward session. The car stopped on track with 45 minutes remaining in the session after being reported to have lost bodywork a few minutes prior with Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel.

    The car – running in its high-downforce configuration – once again did the fewest laps of the three factory P1 cars, clocking 55 laps, as opposed to Porsche’s 73 and Audi’s 69.

    On the subject of Audi, it was not the smoothest of morning’s for them either. The team had to swap cars this morning before the session started, to prevent the #7 car from the day earlier from sustaining further damage to the suspension.

    Once it got underway though, the Audi completed longer runs, but was 1.6 seconds off the leading Porsche.

    Heading LMP2 was the Alpine team once again with Gustavo Menezes leading the trio in the #36. A time of 1:46.974 also happened to be the quickest LMP2 lap of the test to this point, by two thousandths of a second compared with Jonny Kane in the Strakka Gibson’s time from yesterday.

    The Jota G-Drive Racing Oreca came in second in the class, seven tenths back from the Alpine, with the BAXI DC Alpine setting a 1:47.962 to round out the top three.

    In GTE Pro it was an AF Corse 1-2 once again, with the #71 leading the #51. Their times were 1:58.083 and 1:58.362 respectively.

    It wasn’t a clean session for the #71 though, as Sam Bird made contact with Tor Graves’ Manor Oreca, damaging the bodywork of both cars during the session. Both cars continued afterwards however.

    “I am happy with how the car behaves,” Bird said to DSC’s Mat Fernandez. “Yet, we don’t really know where competition is standing. I am still a GT rookie so I know at this stage that there is room for improvement in my driving. We have already covered a lot of items in our test program today and yesterday. There is not much more we need to go through, we should have a fairly relaxed afternoon.”

    GTE Am saw the Gulf Racing Porsche finish top of the sheets after a tour of 1:58.818.
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  18. #258
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334




    Last edited by Rob; 26th March 2016 at 17:04.
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  19. #259
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334

    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  20. #260
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334

    PROLOGUE PROGRESS FOR TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
    Saturday 26 March 2016

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s preparations for the new FIA World Endurance Championship season moved up a gear with the all-new TS050 HYBRID making its public debut at Paul Ricard in southern France today.

    The Prologue test sees all WEC teams come together in the south of France for a two-day group test and free entry meant a large crowd on a sunny day to see the 2016-specification cars in action for the first time.

    To optimise its busy pre-season testing and development schedule, TOYOTA entered one TS050 HYBRID in the Prologue and this was shared by all six race drivers over the course of the two days.

    On Friday it was the turn of the #5 crew, with Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima putting the new car through its paces, using the low-downforce aerodynamic package which is designed specifically for Le Mans.

    They handed over to the #6 drivers, Stéphane Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi, for Saturday when the high-downforce specification was used.

    Important analysis was carried out to understand the different characteristics of each aerodynamic package, giving the team back in Cologne plenty of data upon which to fine-tune the TS050 HYBRID.

    With plenty of work to do before the season starts next month at Silverstone, it was a busy two days for the team, with tyre behaviour and validation of the various FIA timing and monitoring systems also on the agenda.
    Outright fastest lap times in testing do not necessarily give a complete picture of relative performance, so the team will now analyse the data to understand the various lap times and stints in more detail.

    Toshio Sato, Team President: “It was a pleasure to see so many fans here at Paul Ricard today, but I have been even more satisfied to see our TS050 HYBRID on track with our competitors for the first time. It has been a very intense period of preparation so I would like to thank everyone in the team for their hard work to get us to this point. The first race of the season is getting closer and our preparations are almost complete. The Prologue was an important milestone and we achieved our main targets in this test, which were to understand our different aerodynamic packages and continue our intense preparations for the start of the season. I am content with how the two days have gone, and particularly happy to see our strong team spirit. We will see at Silverstone where everyone stands; we still have work to do and we are flat-out to put ourselves in the strongest possible position to start the season.”

    25 March morning test session results:
    1st #2 Porsche (Dumas/Jani/ Lieb) 1min 38.264secs 74 laps
    2nd #5 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +2.253secs 50 laps
    3rd #7 Audi (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) +2.348secs 74 laps
    4th #13 Rebellion (Tuscher/Kraihamer/Imperatori) +4.065secs 71 laps
    5th #12 Rebellion (Prost/Piquet/Heidfeld) +4.626secs 60 laps
    6th #4 ByKolles (Webb) +5.903secs 33 laps

    25 March afternoon test session results:
    1st #2 Porsche (Dumas/Jani/ Lieb) 1min 37.960secs 101 laps
    2nd #7 Audi (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) +1.433secs 28 laps
    3rd #5 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +1.599secs 62 laps
    4th #12 Rebellion (Prost/Piquet/Heidfeld) +4.879secs 56 laps
    5th #13 Rebellion (Tuscher/Kraihamer/Imperatori) +5.083secs 19 laps
    6th #4 ByKolles (Webb) +5.276secs 31 laps

    25 March evening test session results:
    1st #2 Porsche (Dumas/Jani/ Lieb) 1min 37.487secs 52 laps
    2nd #5 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +0.860secs 39 laps
    3rd #7 Audi (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) +2.191secs 4 laps
    4th #12 Rebellion (Prost/Piquet/Heidfeld) +4.660secs 36 laps
    5th #13 Rebellion (Tuscher/Kraihamer/Imperatori) +5.703secs 36 laps
    6th #4 ByKolles (Webb) +9.471secs 13 laps


    26 March morning test session results:
    1st #1 Porsche (Bernhard/Webber/Hartley) 1min 37.886secs 73 laps
    2nd #6 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +0.387secs 55 laps
    3rd #7 Audi (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) +1.677secs 69 laps
    4th #13 Rebellion (Tuscher/Kraihamer/Imperatori) +4.786secs 65 laps
    5th #12 Rebellion (Prost/Piquet/Heidfeld) +4.820secs 30 laps
    6th #36 Alpine (Menezes/Lapierre/Richelmi) +9.088secs 42 laps

    26 March afternoon test session results:
    1st #1 Porsche (Bernhard/Webber/Hartley) 1min 37.445secs 76 laps
    2nd #6 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +1.082secs 60 laps
    3rd #7 Audi (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) +1.382secs 60 laps
    4th #13 Rebellion (Tuscher/Kraihamer/Imperatori) +4.288secs 67 laps
    5th #12 Rebellion (Prost/Piquet/Heidfeld) +5.590secs 68 laps
    6th #4 ByKolles (Webb) +6.181secs 23 laps
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  21. #261
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    PROLOGUE 2016: ADVANTAGE PORSCHE; FERRARI AND FORD BATTLE RECOMMENCES IN LMGTE PRO

    After 17 hours of running and thousands of kilometres track testing, the 29 cars entered for the Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard have now parked their cars in the pit boxes and the engineers have started to analyse and study the data this evening.

    It is difficult to make any true conclusions, however, as the poker faces and mind games of the teams often mask the true hierarchy of pace and positions throughout the classes. What we can say is that 2016 looks set to be a stellar season of FIA World Endurance Championship racing.

    Reigning champions Porsche obviously have a very strong package again in 2016. The pace was similar to 2015 levels this week, even with 8% less fuel to use. Efficiency, a watchword in the world of the WEC, is just as important as outright speed and performance.

    The new LMP1 cars from Toyota and Audi undertook their first public tests this week and both showed that, given time, they will be in a position to challenge Porsche and ensure an epic battle plays out in 2016.

    Toyota will be greatly encouraged by the performance of the TS050 HYBRID. The car set a succession of fastest sector times during the two days, but then chose not to complete the laps. The intrigue about just how much pace the Japanese marque has with its new car is the talk of the WEC paddock.



    In LMP2, as usual, predictions will only be for the foolhardy. Signatech Alpine, G-Drive, RGR Sport by Morand, SMP Racing...in fact all of the protagonists will feel they can challenge right at the front of the varied and exciting field.

    Ferrari and Ford fought together at the top of the times in LMGTE Pro. The classic rivalry, which stirred and excited so many in the 1960s, is back and very much on for the 21st century. Aston Martin had a quiet test but will be fighting to get among the Ferrari and Ford entries, starting on home ground next month.

    And if all this were not enough, the LMGTE Am class will be just as close, with AF Corse Ferrari, Aston Martin Racing, Gulf Racing Porsche, Larbre Competition and Abu-Dhabi-Proton Racing all with realistic chances of class wins this year.

    Of course all of the questions will start to be answered in three weeks’ time at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the opening round of the season, when the great 2016 WEC racing adventure begins. Practice and qualifying take place on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April, and the race itself begins at 12 noon on Sunday 17th.
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  22. #262
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334




    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  23. #263
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  24. #264
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334



    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  25. #265
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  26. #266
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334


    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  27. #267
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    James Calado was subjected to a strict diet in order to divide the interior of the Ferrari 488 with multiple world champion. To the young British driver, the new car is already very competitive and needs only small changes

    James Calado is in full growth. The young Briton, now fixed shape among the official Ferrari drivers in the WEC, this season will have the responsibility to take the place that was Tony Vilander as mate Gianmaria Bruni guide. A condition that has already led to a radical change in openwork. Especially in ... physical.

    "I had to lose five pounds in order to be paired with Gimmi which is very thin. In this way we will not lose too much time to adjust the seat and above the seat belts. Joking aside, this shows what now has become competitive and refined compete in GTE. For me to be able to continue his career with Ferrari is a great opportunity that I hope to take advantage in the best way. Ambition and lens are concentrated in a single word: win. we want that and we know that we can do it. "

    What changes with the 488 than the 458?
    "It is not a radical change, in the sense that the philosophy of the two cars is similar. But, for sure, the 488 is better. We have a more generous aerodynamic package than before thanks to regulations . This leads us to be faster cornering. And then there's the new engine being supercharged which has different reactions than the naturally aspirated eight-cylinder 458 ".

    In which area the Ferrari needs to improve?
    "We ran several tests this winter. I think the major development area should relate to the engine that being entirely new still needs something. Then a lot will depend on the equivalences to be established in the course of season. at the moment our strong point is a curve which is even another planet compared to 458 ".

    This is your first experience with a turbo engine?
    "No, the first was with the old GP3 which had a supercharged engine. It does not change much anyway as driving style. At the beginning of the test there was a slight response delay in acceleration but as the months have been progress in this direction and now one does not even notice that you have a turbo behind his back. I want to say that the driving style is exactly the same that I applied when I drove the 458. C ' then an advantage: the turbo makes less noise. So it will be better for the 24 hours of Le Mans. "

    How many kilometers you have covered during winter testing?
    "I do not know exactly but we shot a lot of testing with the car. We were here for testing Michelin tires turning on artificially wet track and I must say that the 488 behaves more or less in the same way even when grip is poor. So it's a very good base. Then there was the experience of the 24 hours of Daytona. So of kilometers we have ground. "

    How much can you learn running in tandem with Bruni?
    "He is from another planet compared to all the others. It has a fantastic talent. I competed with several riders in my career, even with those who have raced in Formula 1 would enter into that world . for me Gimmi is a higher level, does the race of him. keep up side allows you to learn. I have absolute respect for Bruni and I think that being his driving companion is a large personal fortune. "

    How do you see your rivals in the GTE PRO?
    "We shall be able to understand only in the first race. Certainly Ford is very strong and will do anything to win. The Aston Martin now has its official tire supplier-la Dunlop- and must see While this will give them more power. we do not know. we will know everything at Silverstone. From tests like those of Ricard will not reach the answers. "
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  28. #268
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    Antonello Coletta analyzes the beginning of the season in the WEC certain competitiveness of the new Ferrari and loyalty of opponents. He explains the reasons for which the arrival of Sam Bird were reshuffled the pairs of pilots

    It is difficult to interpret the performance of GTE in the prologue of WEC at Paul Ricard . All of them slower than cars taking part in other leagues despite the deployment of forces fielded by Ferrari, Ford and Aston Martin. Strange, whereas the challenge, even technological, is very strong and nobody wants to make concessions to others. For the director of Ferrari Corse Clienti and Competitions GT Antonello Coletta the reason is quite clear.

    "As these tests serve a habit to check that everything works. It's almost a shake down ahead of the first race at Silverstone. In fact we are the least of all lenses, not the fastest. If we take the time we are registering and compare them with those of less efficient cars such as the old system we have the performance of mirror. this is why we should not look at the clock. at Silverstone, the music will be very different for everyone. "

    "We as Ferrari hope the BOP issued by the Federation is fair enough, which unfortunately has not occurred in the US where we have been very depressed and we still are. In WEC, at least until today, we have a relative certainty that we can fight on equal terms and that there is a competition limited to pure sport.

    How do you see the situation of your challengers?

    "First of all we are happy that we are the challengers. It is a strengthening of the validity of the WEC and is a comparison to everyone because everyone offers cars that exist in reality, or at least almost all of the existing"

    Ford seems to be very extreme ...

    "I think there are no problems. As per regulation by the end of the year everything will fall into place because we are confident that the sports authority is keeping watch on this and other. So, taking up what I said before, very good to have Ford and that there are Aston Martin and Porsche. the British House then have an official delivery by the Dunlop which could also be the balance. But this, I repeat, does not that fuel the competitiveness of the league and technical research. Where there is the latter for Ferrari is the best. we are very confident the work we have carried out on 488 but it is clear that only the races will provide adequate answers, hoping to conclude the championship in a better way compared to 2015 ".

    "The last year has been to penalize the reliability certainly not the performance. He failed precisely our strength, our excellence. Just look at what is valid even today the 458 which is now a project of several years ago but that is one of the best Ferrari ever. "

    Do not you think that in the GT world there is one technological step forward which inevitably leads to penalize the smaller teams?

    "Certainly the level is growing. The entrance of new homes does nothing but raise the bar. But if you want to the manufacturers' commitment is clear that technology should be there. here i break a lance in favor of the GT world: it is technology that drives but in a pragmatic, applicable to cars of all giorni.Posso tell you that they are very many the elements we have introduced in our production tested in GT racing. If we can keep the costs of acceptable values ​​i believe that the use of technology is not a bad thing. the problem could arise if everything lievitasse but to date we have not come to this and is the challenge of all of us builders: do not pick up the costs. then i should point out that even teams that compete in the PRO-AM class can handle perfectly our machines and many times they manage to stay in front of the official teams. "

    With the 488 you have chosen a high technological road which in any case has a price. Other manufacturers in the field of GT are applying a different philosophy. Perhaps less sophisticated vehicles but attempt to have a greater number of sporting customers. It is not a risk to the market?

    "It is true: our car is not cheap; our other competitors are cheaper but even if we go to buy a Ferrari road we realize that it costs more than other cars of the same segment. I do not judge what others do. I can only say that we have a business plan widely respected. All the 488 that we set out to see we sold. It does not seem right that Ferrari has lost customers. in fact I must say that we have brought home someone".

    Why the decision to change the crews over the last year?

    "It has already happened in the past that the crews were scrambled. There are also sporting needs to be reckoned with. With all due respect for the world championship series where there are also international Ferrari is present. we have a very important US market, and so we wanted to strengthen the teams in America. Let's say we have reinforced both the WEC in the USA ".

    "We are delighted to have brought Sam Bird in the Ferrari family. It is a very fast rider is world champion in LMP2, was the great protagonist in GP2, has raced with us in the past, becoming an important figure in PROAM class. His entry into our world is a demonstration of what we want to progress and the momentum that we have the aim to manage increasingly efficient crews. James Calado and Davide Rigon grew last year as much in a class that is not as simple as it sounds. it is just the opposite; i would say that the GTE PRO is more complex than other categories of the WEC: to be at a high level it takes a thorough understanding of the car issues, technology, knowing how to make the most of even the laps where he dubbed or is on the scrimmage while it was dubbed by the upper classes. The experience in the GTE pays and it is logical that two guys like David and James have grown a lot in recent seasons. The thing separating them is to strengthen the crews and for us are two key elements. "
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  29. #269
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    Paul Ricard Prologue, Day 2 Afternoon Session, Audi & Toyota Still No Match For Porsche.

    It was again a sunny afternoon in Provence with track temperatures rising steadily.

    In LMP1, the session started on a high note with Brendon Hartley benefiting from a clear track and clocking 1:37.445 – nearly a one tenth improvement on the fastest LMP1 lap set Friday night by team mate Neel Jani on Porsche #2. Toyota did not improve its fastest lap time set last night with 1:38.347. After a difficult Friday evening, the Audi of Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer improved their fastest lap time with a 1:38.827, some 1.4 second behind the fastest Porsche.

    The fastest non hybrid car of the Prologue was Rebellion #13 of Alex Imperatori, Matheo Tuscher and Dominik Kraihamer. It set its fastest lap time of 1:41.733 during this afternoon’s session. It remains 4.4 seconds behind leading Porsche #1 of Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley.

    The fastest lap time set yesterday by the Gibson #42 of Nick Leventis, Danny Watts and Jonny Kane (1:46.976) remained unchallenged. #26 G-Drive Ligier of Roman Rusinov, Nathanael Berthon and Rene Rast set the fastest time in the afternoon session with a fastest lap of 1:47.024 ahead #37 SMP Racing and #36 Alpine.

    The fastest lap time set yesterday by Gianmaria Bruni on Ferrari #51 (1:57.808) remained unchallenged. The quickest of the afternoon session was set by the #67 Ganassi Ford, a 1:58.786 ahead of the AF Corse Ferrari #71 of Davide Rigon with a 1:59.034.

    Francois Perrodo was fastest in the early part of the session. The Frenchman was asked by race officials to respect track limits on several occasions. He was eventually black and white flagged. Towards the end of the second hour, Michael Wainwright on Porsche #86 took the lead of the afternoon session with a fastest lap of 1:59.248.

    The fastest lap set yesterday by Larbre Competition Corvette #50 of Yutaka Yamagishi, Pierre Ragues and Paolo Ruberti (1:58.268) remained the quickest of the event.
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

  30. #270
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Stowmarket. U.K
    Posts
    18,334
    Paul Ricard Prologue, Webber: “The WEC Is In A Good Spot This Season”

    After winning the World Championship last year in the #17 Porsche with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, Le Mans is the next item on Mark Webber’s sportscar bucket list to tick off. And heading into 2016 with the #1 on the car certainly makes both he and his teammates favourites during the pre-season.

    “We’re looking pretty good, I’m looking forward to it,” Webber said in conversation with DSC. “The number 1 doesn’t change anything, the car could be pink and it still wouldn’t, it’s not, pink by the way, but it looks beautiful.

    “The number is from hard work last year, and we know that we’ve got to push just as much this time round, especially with the two new cars from Audi and Toyota this year.

    “It’s going to be a huge challenge to keep the trophies in Weissach.”

    For the Porsche boys, the key is going to be utilising the opportunity to start the season off strong, with the upgraded 919 which they know so well.

    “In the short term, reliability and familiarity is our strength,” stressed the Aussie. “There’s a chance they will put pressure on us in terms of speed, but we don’t have a slow car. We’re not concerned about too much yet, but let’s see how the season goes. Le Mans is not far away.

    “There’s not one big thing that’s changed. The hybrid is better, the weight is better, the aero is better, the tyre management is better. It’s massaging all the areas. Trying to maximise this concept. There’s no real jump. The lap times are going to be better, but whether that’s enough, we’ll see.

    “I think it’s incredible. We have less power and the times will be better, at Le Mans still it will be hard to produce the same lap times though. Take away the new regs, there’s big steps in other areas.”

    Le Mans is still that all-elusive race for Webber, who after appearing at the event twice for Mercedes-Benz didn’t drive the car during the race let’s not forget, before driving for Porsche the past two years, unable to reach the top step of the podium.

    Despite that, he remains relaxed about conquering the biggest race in sportscars.

    “I would love to win Le Mans, but it doesn’t keep me awake at night. I’m not going to try and win this for 10 or 15 years. It’s a big race, it’s great, I’d like to win it with Brendon, Timo and Porsche and I believe we have a good future together. And yes, if it comes, great, but it’s a tricky race to win and requires a lot of luck.

    “I’m still racing for the World Championship whatever happens, and that would be nice to grab as well.”

    After signing with Channel 4 for this year’s F1 coverage, he remains a key personality in arguably the two most polarising paddocks in global motorsport. Formula One may have a sizeable edge on raw popularity still, but Webber confirms that the WEC is still very much on the up.

    “I think the WEC is in a very good spot this season. If we had three cars it would be great, if we had another manufacturer that would be even better. We have Ford in GTE, but we need another factory in LMP1.

    “Overall though, we have the excitement and the focus needs to be on the new cars from Audi and Toyota going up against us. It’s going to be interesting to see how that unfolds.

    “If you look at motorsport in general, Formula One, rally, all the junior categories, it’s a tough business out there, but that’s the way modern motorsport is now. I still think that the WEC through these tougher times has done an incredible job to keep the manufacturers coming.”

    And when discussing life beyond this season, looking towards the big changes in regulations slated to take place in 2018?

    “I haven’t looked much further ahead than this season, by 2018 I might be on the beach mate.”
    CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •