Quote:
Originally Posted by gwyllion
I fail to see how experience with the RS Spyder is relevant for the R18. These 2 cars are different in so many aspects: weight (775 vs 900 kg), tyre size, open vs closed, engine characteristics (high revving NA petrol with instant throttle response vs torquey diesel with turbo lag), downforce level (R18 is designed for low drag), ...
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Bernhard also drove a Daytona Prototype for Penske in '09. That car has less power than the R18, less areo, narrower tires and was heavier than the R18.
The R18 is an LMP2 diesel with a roof, wider tires, and a heavier weight. The R18 will still have a better power to weight ratio compared to a DP, but it has a roof, and, compared to the R15, underpowered for it's weight, like the RS Spyder was from '08 and this year in the ALMS, and Bernhard, if not for a sputter at Road America, could've won there.
Either that, or he drove a '03 spec R8, restricted under those rules to similar power to the R18, and did well.
Very interested about Fassler as a choice, too. He's got a lot of GT experience, but most of those GT cars have power similar to the R15, but a Corvette C6R GT1 will probably make the same torque as the R18, but the R18 is a much lighter package. But both having GT or closed car experience might have been a factor in Audi Sport's choices. McNish also drove the Porsche 911 GT1 and the Toyota GT-One, and TK has touring car experince, and of course, Lotterer and Trulyer have Super GT expereince--Front engined LMPs with road-car silouette bodywork.
I think that Audi has chosen a good lineup, and certianly, last year showed us that they have a more equal driver lineup than in the past. But until they get out on track, we won't know for definitive sure.
And of course, there seems to be no news of the test from today.