[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[jimclark]

Is this like suspended animation???

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I would agree. That current "head of suspension" might be a technical leader, but just a placeholder (maybe not a suspension expert) until they can get someone to fill the position. There might have a bit of "design by committee" in some places until they get really strong people in place. Also, I think I read that one thing they plan to focus on for next years car was suspension.

I don't know how many people work in that area (how large of pool they can pull from), but I read the position requirements and they seemed tough for me. Extensive suspension design experience with LMP or F1 plus fluent in German and English. It almost seems targeted at Audi!

Richard

I suspect that Porsche LMP1 are currently using some engineering staff from other R&D and Motorsport departments/projects (GTE,918,etc). They are most likely under pressure to staff up in order to "give back" borrowed staff.

[Spyderman]

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/new...rt-in-le-mans/

[Spyderman]

10 gear boxes!http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/por...0-kg-de-pates/

[ger80]

Audi used to do that when they were still allowed to swap them in the race...

[Spyderman]

Yes. I guess Porsche just likes to give their gearboxes a good airing. You know; get them out of the workshop and into the sunlight and fresh air.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by ger80

Audi used to do that when they were still allowed to swap them in the race...

'Will never fergit, watchin' in amazement (in what was it, under three minutes, pit in to pit out) the change of the whole rear clip. What orchestration ...what a sight to behold!!!

[Articus]

With the very short V4 of the Porsche, would they be even more advantaged to make use of the Mercedes split turbo design?

[lemansfan]

[FxL]

I hope this hasn't been posted here yet, but racecar engineering released an update regarding the Porsche legality issues:

UPDATE LE MANS 24 HOURS:
Alex Hitzinger has claimed that the rear bodywork on the Porsche 919 has been changed “We did not want to show everything at the test so there are some new things” he told Racecar Engineering ahead of free practice. It has been suggested that the changes were made at the specific request of the FIA though there is no confirmation of this. Additionally it had been speculated that the fires experienced by both cars on the test day were caused by the flexing engine cover getting too close to the turbocharger but this again is not the case according to Hitzinger “We changed the heat shield material around the turbo and we got it wrong, and it started to burn, once it started to burn then everything burns, but we have changed that.”

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...ed-at-le-mans/

[Spyderman]

I'm a little disappointed after FP.

[Bandicoot17]

I'm not certain we've seen everything yet.
Everyone else is quicker through the ST but Porsche is the same as test day, even with the loss of flexible body work that's surprising imo.

[carbon_titanium]

what was the audi top speed?

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I'm a little disappointed after FP.

Have no fear. They have a programme and they're sticking to it. The Spa pace wasn't a fluke. They'll let them loose soon enough.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

what was the audi top speed?

http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Res...20Practice.PDF
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Res...20Practice.PDF

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by deggis

http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Res...20Practice.PDF
http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Res...20Practice.PDF

thanks, more or less audi top speed is the same of test, sarrazin hit 343km/h on the onboard but it was recorded as 338... davidson was recorded 339, so realisticly he hit 344-345km/h. As you said 919 lost some km/h

[Articus]

Brendan Hartley said the Porsche sims where "very good" and that they are expecting 3.21

[dbagtbag]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

10 gear boxes!http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/por...0-kg-de-pates/

300 melons!

[JoestForEver]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

thanks, more or less audi top speed is the same of test, sarrazin hit 343km/h on the onboard but it was recorded as 338... davidson was recorded 339, so realisticly he hit 344-345km/h. As you said 919 lost some km/h

That's then obviously sandbagging from Toyota on the test day, as Mulsanne Mike pointed out they were doing less than 300km/h at the speed trap.
Good job for Porsche though, finally they are flexing muscle.

[gwyllion]

The lap times are nowhere near the predicted 3:21. So we can expect the time to drop a bit more in the next qualifying session.

[Spyderman]

Porsche will limit amount of laps for Thursdays qualifying sessions:
http://newsroom.porsche.com/EN/Motor...n-Le-Mans.html

[ger80]

That's a surprise. I thought they would go for qualifying glory - assuming they will not make the 24 hours

[Aysedasi]

I don't believe they won't go for it - not for a moment........

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The lap times are nowhere near the predicted 3:21. So we can expect the time to drop a bit more in the next qualifying session.

I would say so. Nothing really got going in Q1 yesterday. If we have a clear run and fine weather (fingers crossed on both counts), I'm expecting 21's or less. I don't think we'll be near the 18's that some predicted though.....

[Spyderman]

I'm not 100% convinced yet that Porsche will go for pole. I understand the " going of pole" argument , but there is also another that argues that they "need" to get the cars to the end in order to preserve the "Porsche reliability" image. I just don't see them trying to lead the race from the start.
We will have to wait and see.