Audi LMP1 Discussion

[Articus]

How is that not the E-Tron? Sounds like one. Then again we dont know what an E-Ton sounds like particularly.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Articus

How is that not the E-Tron? Sounds like one. Then again we dont know what an E-Ton sounds like particularly.

Sounds like transmission, turbo, wind and tires. If there's anything that sounds perhaps slightly unusual in those videos it's the loudness of the transmission.

[gwyllion]

A source at Audi Sport has clarified that this car is NOT an e-tron quattro, but rather an ultra. We're guessing then that the ultras will also use the same framed headlight design worn by the e-tron quattros at the Sebring test. The #3 also suggests it is an ultra since the #3 Le Mans car is planned to be and the #3 test car in Sebring is confirmed as an ultra.

source: http://forums.fourtitude.com/entry.p...otos-amp-Video

[TF110]

So how many test have been done with the E-Tron? Just Sebring so far?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by TF110

So how many test have been done with the E-Tron? Just Sebring so far?

No, the shakedown of the hybrid R18 was done in October 2011 and Audi has been testing extensively since the end of last year.

The project e-tron quattro for motorsport started in February 2010. Only 18 months passed from the initial conceptual ideas to the first test. "This is a relatively short cycle for a technology that has never been tested in motorsport and which still doesn’t even exist in production," stresses Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. "The challenge is correspondingly big."

We are aware of at least the following tests:

• November, Paul Ricard: #2 (source)
• December, Sebring: #2 + #3 (source)
• January-February, Abu Dhabi: #2 (source) + #3 (source)
• March, Road Atlanta: ? (source)
• March, Sebring: #1 + #2 + #3 (source)
• April, Monza: #3 (source)

We know that the test cars with #1 and #2 are e-tron quattros and the car with #3 is an ultra.

[TF110]

We know Sebring a 30hr test, any others of that length with the E-Tron? I wonder if they could possibly be fooling people by running the hybrid with a different # on the car. In Bahrain I think it's probably the Hybrid like you said because Audi wouldn't give out information on the car or driver. If it were a regular R18 Ultra why not just say so?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by TF110

We know Sebring a 30hr test, any others of that length with the E-Tron? I wonder if they could possibly be fooling people by running the hybrid with a different # on the car. In Bahrain I think it's probably the Hybrid like you said because Audi wouldn't give out information on the car or driver. If it were a regular R18 Ultra why not just say so?

Why hide they tested the e-tron?

[EverOne]

Anyone knows if Audi has plan to enter the R8 LMS on any LMS/ALMS/WEC championship in the future?

[KA]

In the States, GMG (one of the ALMS GTC teams) have got a couple of R8s and are in the process of getting them approved for World Challenge- they've also talked about the idea of racing one in ALMS at some point, though they say it would need some involvement from Audi to get the car homologated.
That suggests Audi don't seem to be in any hurry to homologate a GTE version yet...

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/a...-racing-in-th/

[TF110]

Originally Posted by CTD

Why hide they tested the e-tron?

Why so secretive about what cars they ran in Abu Dhabi? It's just a question I asked. I never said they did hide it.

[Simmi]

Looks like the Ultra programme in the #4 is getting a boost with the addition of Gene. Another guy who has experience of the Peugeot. He'll slot in for Spa too I imagine.

[Simmi]

Mug shot

[Down F0rce]

Gene in Audi colours... so strange.

Why only a reserve? Have they confirmed their 12 drivers for Le Mans? Maybe they'll give him a run in another WEC race.

EDIT: I see they have confirmed him for Spa.

[Creep89]

Audi already confirmed their drivers for Le Mans, but no one knows wether Bernhard will be ready for Le Mans or not. So it's a good move by Audi Sport signing Gene.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Down F0rce

Gene in Audi colours... so strange.

Why only a reserve? Have they confirmed their 12 drivers for Le Mans? Maybe they'll give him a run in another WEC race.

EDIT: I see they have confirmed him for Spa.

I reckon thats got to do with Bernhards injury . Still dont know if he will be fit for Le Mans .

[cmk]

Sensible decision, they needed a reserve anyway with Bonanomi stepping up, and they needed an experienced one acutely with Bernhard being out of commission for Spa. Gene is definitely the best available option in that regard as the only ex-Peugeot driver without conflicting commitments.

[The Badger]

Official , Gene replaces Bernhard : http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-10305.html

[Plex]

Congrats Gene....Very good and smart move by Audi...With Peugeot out of the equation Audi can build a very strong driver profile...

[Articus]

Of the main Peugeot drivers the only unemployed right now appears to be Franck Montagny...Not to say i'm surprised. He appears to be forbidden fruit after his charades under the wings of peugeot.

[EverOne]

Originally Posted by Articus

Of the main Peugeot drivers the only unemployed right now appears to be Franck Montagny...Not to say i'm surprised. He appears to be forbidden fruit after his charades under the wings of peugeot.

"Mr Montagny is not driving for me and he ' ll never drive for me" Ulrich Dixit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xipnO9gofhI

[Articus]

Pretty much says it all..

[Simmi]

Maybe the next driver Audi hire will be Rossi?

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/0...83G0L820120417

[cmk]

Originally Posted by Articus

Of the main Peugeot drivers the only unemployed right now appears to be Franck Montagny...Not to say i'm surprised. He appears to be forbidden fruit after his charades under the wings of peugeot.

Yes, I considered his conflicting commitment to be 'being Franck Montagny'. Gene has not always been a saint with respect to blocking Audi either, so I guess he got the nod because Audi won at LM in 2011 and Dr. Ulrich forgot about it?!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by cmk

Yes, I considered his conflicting commitment to be 'being Franck Montagny'. Gene has not always been a saint with respect to blocking Audi either, so I guess he got the nod because Audi won at LM in 2011 and Dr. Ulrich forgot about it?!

Isn't Montagny noted to drive the Loeb Racing car at the test day?

[chernaudi]

In regards to the driver situation, Davidson, Gene and Montangy were all guilty of pulling daft blocking maneuvers at LM last year, though I don't know where Anthony fits in--the only thing I vividly remember as a blocking move was when he out-braked himself while racing Fassler for the lead.

Audi probably would've wanted Ant for their program, but by the time Timo got hurt, Toyota Motorsport snagged him for a part season program. Franck has built up a record for making boneheaded, overly aggressive moves, and though I don't fault him for the PLM debacle (racing accident that probably wasn't helped by the '11 R18's horrid vision), that move still left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths, judging by the forum reaction and what people are still saying today. He made quite a laundry list not only at Peugeot, but also AGR (I believe that Martin Spetz called Montangy an a** once), and once you get that bad rep, it can be a while before one can live it down, and when Dr. Ullrich from Audi speaks about something that ticks him off, rightfully or wrongfully, people listen.

Marc has been a fast and consistent driver, and has been excellent at giving feed back in testing and to help develop a car, and a very steady pair of hands is probably what Audi wants for a reserve or temporary replacement driver. He also has diesel and closed cockpit LMP1 experience, and all of that combines to make him an ideal candidate in the eyes of Audi Sport it seems.