Porsche back in Le Mans!

[HampusA]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92733

2014 and LMP1.

Porsche will return to the Le Mans 24 Hours with a full factory LMP1 prototype in 2014, the Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer has announced.

As the event's most successful manufacturer, the company has not been represented in a works capacity in the top class at Le Mans since 1998 when Porsche claimed the last of its 16 outright victories with Allan McNish, Stephane Ortelli and Laurent Aiello in the 911 GT1.

[wesley123]

what a coincidence, at the same moment the new F1 engine rules come in place.

We can start a rumor here that Audi quits LMP's and goes into F1? The rumors have been there, the words from VW AG too, first they were looking into it, then they wanted it, then not, then they would look into it again, then again they did not want it.

For audi a step into F1 would be pretty likely imo, they have dominated like every championship they have entered. They did with Le Mans, Rally, the logical step now seems formula 1.

[HampusA]

It´s very easy to dominate a championship when you have around a 50% chance of winning it.

They should enter ALMS GT2 if they want to test themselves against BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, Jaguar, Chevrolet etc.

They have the car to do it, R8 GT3. But then again, the competition might be a little tougher there...

[Richard]

Interesting that they are motivated by the potential for hybrid technologies.

Max Mosely had a point, companies like Porsche participate in motorsports for road relevant technologies.

[Pandamasque]

Porsche return to Le Mans top category is not only very appropriate but can be healthy for diesel-petrol equivalence. Audi have already confirmed that they are STAYING at Le Mans. Apparently they will run the diesel (-hybrid?) while Porsche are likely to have a DI petrol (turbocharged?, hybrid?). I just hope the hybrids won't have the power advantage 'for free', but with some weight penalty, just like in real world.

[RacingManiac]

Porsche return to Le Mans top category is not only very appropriate but can be healthy for diesel-petrol equivalence. Audi have already confirmed that they are STAYING at Le Mans. Apparently they will run the diesel (-hybrid?) while Porsche are likely to have a DI petrol (turbocharged?, hybrid?). I just hope the hybrids won't have the power advantage 'for free', but with some weight penalty, just like in real world.

The chance of Audi staying til 2014 is still in question I think. The current rule would've expired then, which would necessitate a new car. For VAG to stomach 2 full works LMP1 problem seems unlikely....though I guess stranger things have happened...

[greenpower dude reloaded]

Two seperate works VAG teams? Nah! It'll never happen

[RacingManiac]

Two seperate works VAG teams? Nah! It'll never happen

Unlike the 2001-2003 Bentley, There is a) time stagger and b) internal mandate. Audi at 2003 was already "done" with R8. The car received no update for the 2003 race when the rule had called for smaller restrictor. Bentley had a new engine and the bulk of the winning team(# 7 car, the "German" Bentley, its mechanics, drivers) came from Team Joest that ran the successful Audi program. Bentley was supposed to win, and they did. Not to mention the silver Audi that year was not a factory car anymore....despite it is also a Joest car.

2014 will be new cars for BOTH teams, since the rule would be new. Both cars will have to be made with considerable effort. No question that both Audi Sport and Porsche Motorsport can do it. But whether the cost conscious VAG will foot the bill for both is another deal altogether.

[wesley123]

That year was with a recently released new Bentley, which required a bit of promotion, hence the Bentley win at le mans. That year there was no works Audi entered, making life easier too.

With that, take for example the RS Spyder, why isnt that a LMP1 car? Right, it was in the audi days and letting 2 cars of the same company fight each other wouldnt be right.

And then we have the 'forgotten' Porsche, the porsche was tested in 1999 and 2000 but was never entered, guess why? Audi.

Audi and Porsche both in LMP1 simply isnt going to happen, plus after then 14 years of winning in the LMP i think Audi will have enouhg of it and go for another challenge, after your tenth Le Mans win I think it is barely publicity anymore for your company.

[WhiteBlue]

Two seperate works VAG teams? Nah! It'll never happen

Unlike the 2001-2003 Bentley, There is a) time stagger and b) internal mandate. Audi at 2003 was already "done" with R8. The car received no update for the 2003 race when the rule had called for smaller restrictor. Bentley had a new engine and the bulk of the winning team(# 7 car, the "German" Bentley, its mechanics, drivers) came from Team Joest that ran the successful Audi program. Bentley was supposed to win, and they did. Not to mention the silver Audi that year was not a factory car anymore....despite it is also a Joest car.

2014 will be new cars for BOTH teams, since the rule would be new. Both cars will have to be made with considerable effort. No question that both Audi Sport and Porsche Motorsport can do it. But whether the cost conscious VAG will foot the bill for both is another deal altogether.

VW have decided against F1 for one of their brands. The logic would be a fight of a petrol hybrid vs a diesel hybrid. That way the two brand s would not cannibalize each other more than necessary.

[RacingManiac]

VW have decided against F1 for one of their brands. The logic would be a fight of a petrol hybrid vs a diesel hybrid. That way the two brand s would not cannibalize each other more than necessary.

Will be kinda odd though if Porsche wins or vise versa, that the losing team will say their technology is Le Mans proven to be the 2nd best....

[WhiteBlue]

If they come as close in performance as Audi and Peugeot came this year it will be a small problem. They can say that the group can supply the best of each world. It would make sense for Porsche to run turbo petrol hybrids. They have pioneered both turbos and flywheels in sportscars. Audi will most likely stick with diesel as long as Peugeot keeps coming back to Le Mans.

[Pandamasque]

But will Peugeot stick with the diesel? Besides there have been talks that R18 could be the last diesel Audi for LM.

[WhiteBlue]

Talk is cheap. In the end the outcome is determined by strategy. VW group going Diesel and Petrol would be a clever move.

[FW17]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107007

"Porsche says F1's lack of road relevance pushed it to LMP1 instead"

Pity they choose a series with no competition and to real racing in every sense and blamed it on road relevance and politics.