Audi LMP1 Discussion

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Audi has to be having some amazing corning speeds to be very close to Porsche in lap time at Silverstone but down almost 35km/h down the straights.

Porsche continues to run with their low drag aero. And maybe this is the effect of the exhaust generator feeding the front MGU at top speed.

This is the median of the top speeds during the first session:

• Audi #1 266.7 km/h
• Audi #2 267.7 km/h
• Toyota #7 270.7 km/h
• Toyota #8 274.8 km/h
• Porsche #14 294.3 km/h
• Porsche #20 292.7 km/h

[chernaudi]

Official Audi Sport twitter has the first screen cap of the new R18 onboard.

And the new car has speed. DiGrassi ran a 1:43.1 on his second flying lap in FP2. That's only .3 behind McNish's lap record from the race last year.

[TF110]

How far can they go in a stint though? Thats more telling of how the race will play out.

[chernaudi]

Probably won't matter a ton if it rains, which rain on Sunday is looking almost certain. Also, the diesel engine saves a ton of fuel at part throttle.

[TF110]

It matters even more in the rain. Stint lengths are probably more important because the time difference is potentially less than in the dry.

[chernaudi]

Cars also get better mileage in the rain because there's more part throttle time.

That's where the diesel and DFI gas engines that Audi and Porsche have could have the edge over Toyota, who aren't running DFI. When DFI diesel or gasoline engines run at part throttle, they get better mileage than an equivalent non-DFI engine.

If Audi are expected to run one lap less at LM than Toyota or Porsche, then that should be equal to about 2 at Silverstone. Problem is that we have no idea what these cars can actually do yet, let alone their mileage in the rain. Audi and also Toyota have an advantage there, as Audi and likely Toyota have tested in wet conditions and they have their high downforce areo kits. Porsche have their LM aero on the car and have done little if any serious testing in the rain, and it seems that they expect to struggle in the wet compared to Toyota and especially Audi.

[Spyderman]

It is obvious Audi is very quick, but Toyota's race pace is very, very fast. They are able to put in very fast laps even at the end of their stints.

Porsche's race pace reflects the work that they still have to do in developing the car further.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Cars also get better mileage in the rain because there's more part throttle time.

That's where the diesel and DFI gas engines that Audi and Porsche have could have the edge over Toyota, who aren't running DFI. When DFI diesel or gasoline engines run at part throttle, they get better mileage than an equivalent non-DFI engine.

If Audi are expected to run one lap less at LM than Toyota or Porsche, then that should be equal to about 2 at Silverstone. Problem is that we have no idea what these cars can actually do yet, let alone their mileage in the rain. Audi and also Toyota have an advantage there, as Audi and likely Toyota have tested in wet conditions and they have their high downforce areo kits. Porsche have their LM aero on the car and have done little if any serious testing in the rain, and it seems that they expect to struggle in the wet compared to Toyota and especially Audi.

I dont know where you get that info from. Can you elaborate on Porsche saying theyll struggle in the wet? Btw, looking at long stints from fp2, 25 laps for Porsche and Rebellion was the max. 27 for Toyota and no longer run without pitting for Audi.

[chernaudi]

You seem to have missed Jani's comments about how Porsche have done little if any testing in the rain, and combine that with their low-downforce package. There's no way that Audi and Toyota can be faster than Porsche without the downforce considering Porsche's huge top speed advantage.

And in the rain, you'll take grip anyway you can get it, and there's no way that the Porsche will grip, let alone handle well, in the rain with all the fast corners at Silverstone.

[TF110]

No, I didnt miss his comments. Theres nothing saying they think theyll struggle in the wet. Thats why I asked where you got that from. If it does rain then we will see who struggles.

[Azy]

Even less we know about long stints.

[nobster]

Who knows what program what car was on this afternoon, lots can happen tomorrow when qualifying is on.

[GasperG]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Cars also get better mileage in the rain because there's more part throttle time.

That's where the diesel and DFI gas engines that Audi and Porsche have could have the edge over Toyota, who aren't running DFI. When DFI diesel or gasoline engines run at part throttle, they get better mileage than an equivalent non-DFI engine.

True if you are running in higher revs, but for the best economy they will all run their engines in lower revs and high load (WOT). Or am I wrong?

[EverOne]

Disappointing WEC opener for Audi
Bad luck and very bad strategy

[Aysedasi]

Very.......

[MihokS5]

Yep. They have a fast and probably reliable car, but you can always count on them for bad race luck.

Also, what a stupid call strategy wise. This is what they deserve and I hate saying that!

[J Jay]

We all know the saying, better to make a fast car <x> than a an <x> car fast.

What is encouraging news is that Treluyer just managed 27 laps on a full tank, compared to 29 for Porsche and 28 for Toyota. That's not as big a gap as feared.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Audi's race going from bad to worse. A race to forget...

[JoestForEver]

Originally Posted by J Jay

We all know the saying, better to make a fast car <x> than a an <x> car fast.

What is encouraging news is that Treluyer just managed 27 laps on a full tank, compared to 29 for Porsche and 28 for Toyota. That's not as big a gap as feared.

With their pace advantage not as large as last year, this is still a worrying fact.

[Creep89]

Yes indeed. And you never know how big the disadvantage will be at Le Mans. I doubt that Porsche or Toyota use the full 6 MJ at Silverstone.

[NelisB]

Audi confirms both tubs are write-offs. Hope that doesn't have any consequences for the rest of the season.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

With their pace advantage not as large as last year, this is still a worrying fact.

Yes, but not as worrying as feared for Ulrich & Co., there was talk of a two lap difference in stints at LM. I severely doubt that will be the case if there's 1/2 laps difference at Silverstone.

What will be worrying is that both tubs have been written-off. How many spares do they have left?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by J Jay

Yes, but not as worrying as feared for Ulrich & Co., there was talk of a two lap difference in stints at LM. I severely doubt that will be the case if there's 1/2 laps difference at Silverstone.

What will be worrying is that both tubs have been written-off. How many spares do they have left?

Plus they need to build a third car for Spa, let's not forget...

[nobster]

Down but surely not out...

[Aysedasi]

Oh, they'll be back alright........