[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[Racing in Japan]

Toyota's 2015 Motorsports Activities will Live Webcast at January 30.
http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/5285903/

[Deleted]

In the poster, it's interesting of them to have the Super Formula there instead of Lexus GT3 or Lexus LFA N24 or GT86 N24 or GT86 GT300 or GT300 Prius or Yaris WRC (whenever it comes) or Sprint Cup "Toyota" or some other programme. It is spec Dallara after all with only Toyota engine. But I guess it's there for domestic & variety marketing

[Mike E]

Mat Fernandez is saying that Toyota will be testing a number of drivers (besides their regulars) in the TS040 at Aragon next week.

[Deleted]

One can hope it's a sign of late change in thinking at the board meetings. But probably just some reserves

[cokata]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Mat Fernandez is saying that Toyota will be testing a number of drivers (besides their regulars) in the TS040 at Aragon next week.

[Bandicoot17]

A rising swiss driver apparently.

Could be Fabio Leimer??

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Chiana

One can hope it's a sign of late change in thinking at the board meetings. But probably just some reserves

LesSuissesAuMans suggest that Toyota are basically looking for a new driver to replace Nakajima for WEC races that clash with his Super GT/Super Formula commitments. If true, that may possibly confirm that Lapierre will not stay as reserve driver with Toyota (and could possibly move to a race seat with Nissan I suspect).

I honestly don't believe in the third-car-for-LM theory...

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

A rising swiss driver apparently.

Could be Fabio Leimer??

Could be

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

I honestly don't believe in the third-car-for-LM theory...

It is a long shot I suppose.

It is interesting that they are testing multiple drivers though, assuming JEV is near enough on pace you'd assume that would be enough to secure a reserve role.

[Deleted]

Maybe they should ditch Nakajima from WEC duties and let him concentrate on Super GT so that he'd be able to go after one sportscar championship at least. Would create more constant driver shuffle too. And if you get the unlikely third car for LM slot him there.

[Bandicoot17]

Nakajima is their one japanese driver though, can't imagine he'll go. Just do similar to last season and have Buemi and Davidson run as a duo (assuming that's the #1 squad)

[Deleted]

TBH I don't really understand why LMP factories need 3 drivers for these sprint events anyway, just few seasons ago two was the norm everywhere (still is in GTE?). If they all do similar time in the car it's just Grand Prix basically. I suppose it keeps them fresh all year round and makes it easier to push 100%, but these are professionals are they not

[J Jay]

Seems odd if they're scouting for someone to step in Kaz's seat for a couple of clashes. That's 4 drivers the car has to be tuned for (albeit in 2 different sets of 3) and Buemi & Davidson would have another teammate to gel with, a brand new one at that. It sounds like too much hassle to be worth it. Stick to the same format as last year, it didn't do the #8 crew any harm.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Chiana

TBH I don't really understand why LMP factories need 3 drivers for these sprint events anyway, just few seasons ago two was the norm everywhere (still is in GTE?). If they all do similar time in the car it's just Grand Prix basically. I suppose it keeps them fresh all year round and makes it easier to push 100%, but these are professionals are they not

In a six hour race I think two drivers is the best solution. However if you want to attract good drivers it helps to offer a full year. It is also good to give more drivers seat time for practice for when you get to the point of the year you need six (or nine!).

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Adam43

In a six hour race I think two drivers is the best solution. However if you want to attract good drivers it helps to offer a full year. It is also good to give more drivers seat time for practice for when you get to the point of the year you need six (or nine!).

The most logical driver allocation in my view would be

3x pre-LM
2x post-LM

(+ if we lived in a world where WEC had more than just 6 hour standardized format, like 8/9/10/12 hour events mixed up there, then 3rd for those ones as well)

You also get less practice time done and have more setup compromises when you have extra team mate

[Adam43]

So you'd compromise on the third driver at Le Mans.

You pays your money, you makes your choices. Well obviously we don't, but hey!

[Deleted]

Sorry what, could you rephrase that.

[Adam43]

I was just repeating what I said before. For the six hour races I agree. However there is a benefit for Le Mans in keeping all your drivers happy and giving them seat time if you have three in those six hour races.

The teams make their own choice as it is their money to spend how they see fit.

I see the advantage of both and the compromise of both. I don't have enough money to chose.

[Deleted]

From performance perspective I don't see what difference does it make for Le Mans if you have just the two in the post-LM season. Third LM drivers would still get the seat time in pre-season testing + (current) rounds 1+2 and test day before Le Mans even starts. And as for "happiness factor" - well not all employees stand in similar positions, that is life and you do what the company tells you to do

Anyway I suppose there are no strict answers for it, depends on view

[TF110]

Lots of guesswork on who will test the car. Fabio Leimer is one of them in conjunction with Mattias Beche and JEV. I think Kobayashi should try his luck. He was fastest in his Super Formula test. Toyota should have an eye on him. Nakajima is a factory Toyota guy. So he is automatic in their car. But if this isn't a 'casting call' for a third car, whats the point in having 2 or 3 guys in the next test if youre only looking for a substitute for Nakajima's 2 or 3 clashes?

Imo, Conway is in the #2 (#7) with Wurz and Sarrazin. Kazuki in the #1 (#8) with Buemi and Davidson. One guy will be promoted to reserve from the test next week. But theres a lot of talk of maybe a third car. Im not getting my hopes up though!

[Articus]

I don't think they'll put Nakajima in the same car as Davidson and Buemi. We never get all the fast guys in the same car. Just like how they didn't put Duval in the same car as Lotterer and Treluyer.

[cokata]

Originally Posted by Articus

I don't think they'll put Nakajima in the same car as Davidson and Buemi. We never get all the fast guys in the same car. Just like how they didn't put Duval in the same car as Lotterer and Treluyer.

He's overrated IMHO. He is quick and aggressive, but is somewhat inconsistent, and not a go-to-guy if you want to give yourself the best chance of going to the end of the race trouble free. I prefer Fassler (very underrated) over him.

[carbon_titanium]

Treluyer is not overrated, He is a great driver, but let's say he is not in his best driving days, anyway for sure is better than Fassler.
Relationship between Lotterer/Treluyer is more or less like Ryu/Ken, Goku/Vegeta, Scorpion/SubZero etc....

[MyNameIsNigel]

Having the same trio (Lotterer-Tréluyer-Fässler) win LM three times (a record ?) tells much about the relevant strengths of those three guys. One can try to rate them individually as much as one wants - and one driver out of the three will always deliver less than the others - but ultimately it's the ability of all three to bond together and deliver as a team that matters. And this is well recognised and valued by Audi as a matter of fact.

This is surely an area where Toyota could improve BTW. Sacking a driver after some "difficult" races does not help create the necessary bond amongst the drivers. Constantly changing driver lineups does not help either.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

Relationship between Lotterer/Treluyer is more or less like Ryu/Ken, Goku/Vegeta, Scorpion/SubZero etc....

That's a nice way of putting it Quite the bromance/Ho Yay rivalry going on between those two, with Gade as the exasperated mother-figure!

There is a wider point here, because obviously deciding driver lineups is much more involved than the Top Trumps/FIFA-style plug-in-and-play mentality many fans - including myself - have been guilty of. Besides the obvious physical differences of size and weight, there's also the personalities of the drivers to consider. Yes these guys are all professionals and should be expected to perform to a consistently high standard regardless of who they're driving with, but the human mind is a fickle thing and the need for a rounded set of personalities can just get that little bit extra out of the drivers. Conversely lumping the three fastest guys together could create more tension than is necessary as the one-upmanship threatens to overshadow the actual results. Also if drivers have been together for a number of years like the #2 car has and none of them have been so poor so as to warrant a driver shuffle just to get one out, what would it say to them if their teammate is seen to be moved to another car? What does it say to the drivers of the "other" car who have lost their hot-shoe for someone who is thought by the management to be an inferior driver? Do not underestimate the strength in continuity.

Back to Fassler/Treluyer, I don't think the former is overrated (and I'd pick Ben over Marcel if you forced me to), but the latter is definitely underrated, probably because his teammates have had the fortune of doing the good stints when they counted the most. Look back to the 2013 race to see what Marcel can do when the shackles are off (IIRC his "quick" lap average in that race were the best of the #2). I'd liken him to a midfielder who quietly keeps things ticking over and never gets the goals or headlines but is a massive loss when he's injured or suspended.

Yes I am still mad about last night's football, why do you ask ...