NISSAN LMP1...were they right?
Discussion
After attending the 2015 Le Mans test day, viewing most of the Periscope and other social media bits and bobs they did, watching 18 hours of the race online I felt a bit let down by Nissan. I wasn't expecting them to win, let's just be clear about that from the start. I suppose I wasn't even expecting them to be that competitive.
However, Darren Cox did say after the Bowling Green test that they would defiantly be in front of the LMP2 cars on the Radio Le Mans Midweek Motorsport show....and they just weren't. It is a radical concept and I applaud them for what they have done and how open they have been, but surely they shouldn't have been at Le Mans this year.
No Hybrid until 2016 when running in a Hybrid class doesn't seem like a team ready to race. Yes they now have lots of data and Jann said on RLM that they already had guys at the circuit designing a new gearbox which is really amazing as they were still racing at that point. I just look at Porsche who came back last year and are now winning plus showing real pace in the WEC season so far, I wouldn't put money on Nissan doing the same in their second year.
So my question is, were the right to come back so early or should they have waited till next year after more testing? (note: I'm not belittling what they have achieved and all the hard work they have done to get to where they are, I just think they have come back to early)
However, Darren Cox did say after the Bowling Green test that they would defiantly be in front of the LMP2 cars on the Radio Le Mans Midweek Motorsport show....and they just weren't. It is a radical concept and I applaud them for what they have done and how open they have been, but surely they shouldn't have been at Le Mans this year.
No Hybrid until 2016 when running in a Hybrid class doesn't seem like a team ready to race. Yes they now have lots of data and Jann said on RLM that they already had guys at the circuit designing a new gearbox which is really amazing as they were still racing at that point. I just look at Porsche who came back last year and are now winning plus showing real pace in the WEC season so far, I wouldn't put money on Nissan doing the same in their second year.
So my question is, were the right to come back so early or should they have waited till next year after more testing? (note: I'm not belittling what they have achieved and all the hard work they have done to get to where they are, I just think they have come back to early)
To my mind they're right. They based their speed on the whatever simulations they had which were clearly broken. At least they know where they are and have the experience now. I also don't think they're going to win LeMans next year but could get some podiums in other WEC races so happy for them to be competing.
The more manufactures in the main group and other groups the better ford is coming back next year too.
They managed to get 3 cars pas midnight and 2 cars were running into the last 2hrs until the one caught fire the remaining Nissan did make the end which considering where they were at the start is mighty impressive. The only way to get faster is to race testing can only go so far.
They managed to get 3 cars pas midnight and 2 cars were running into the last 2hrs until the one caught fire the remaining Nissan did make the end which considering where they were at the start is mighty impressive. The only way to get faster is to race testing can only go so far.
I believe they were too ambitious with the project given their budget. The whole outfit didn't represent a manufacturers outfit, such as Porsche, Audi and Toyota - even though Toyota have been caught napping in the development race.
To me, it seems their brand identity is more about making people talk about their products, than delivering the goods.
I hope they carry on the development this year but it needs to be something very different for next year!
To me, it seems their brand identity is more about making people talk about their products, than delivering the goods.
I hope they carry on the development this year but it needs to be something very different for next year!
It was interesting to see that I believe they had the highest top speed out of the LM1 cars with only 700ish hp, the aerodynamic concept clearly works in that regard, they just need more power and traction out of slower speed corners both which should be addressed next year through the hybrid 4-wheel drive system. Should they have been there this year? I'd say yes, it's certainly made me a little more interested in the race as I love seeing things approached in a unique way.
In my eyes they came off negatively. Simply because of all the marketing hype and being no where when it mattered. (Reminds me a lot of the ZEOD actually).
Was not impressed by their adverts at every ad break telling me how wonderful the car was or how Nissan was defining technology when quite clearly it was not also. It grates after 24 hours.
I know the HY system was apparently carried with them, anyone know the full weight of the system? I seemed to get the sense they actually was not carrying everything required for the HY setup, in interviews/showcase of the car they talked about things that would go in certain places when it eventually runs the full system.
I really wanted it to work, but imo i just cant see it gaining near 30 seconds per lap from the rear hybrid engine considering they already was fastest on the straights.
Was not impressed by their adverts at every ad break telling me how wonderful the car was or how Nissan was defining technology when quite clearly it was not also. It grates after 24 hours.
I know the HY system was apparently carried with them, anyone know the full weight of the system? I seemed to get the sense they actually was not carrying everything required for the HY setup, in interviews/showcase of the car they talked about things that would go in certain places when it eventually runs the full system.
I really wanted it to work, but imo i just cant see it gaining near 30 seconds per lap from the rear hybrid engine considering they already was fastest on the straights.
Nissan are a major manufacturer, not a tiny team who have just about got the resource to get a working car to LM
I thought their effort was laughable TBH, 20 seconds off the pace in qualifying, and even worse in the race
This is a team that 20 years ago had some of the fastest cars ever seen at Le Mans
A case of trying to do something different for the sake of it, not because its a revolutionary idea the other teams have missed
I thought their effort was laughable TBH, 20 seconds off the pace in qualifying, and even worse in the race
This is a team that 20 years ago had some of the fastest cars ever seen at Le Mans
A case of trying to do something different for the sake of it, not because its a revolutionary idea the other teams have missed
Probably want to advance the technology, although I'm not sure either, I think its doing something for the sake of doing it.
According to this Autosport article they also want to start making Delta Wing road cars
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118148
According to this Autosport article they also want to start making Delta Wing road cars
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118148
freedman said:
Nissan are a major manufacturer, not a tiny team who have just about got the resource to get a working car to LM
I thought their effort was laughable TBH, 20 seconds off the pace in qualifying, and even worse in the race
This is a team that 20 years ago had some of the fastest cars ever seen at Le Mans
A case of trying to do something different for the sake of it, not because its a revolutionary idea the other teams have missed
This says it all really.I thought their effort was laughable TBH, 20 seconds off the pace in qualifying, and even worse in the race
This is a team that 20 years ago had some of the fastest cars ever seen at Le Mans
A case of trying to do something different for the sake of it, not because its a revolutionary idea the other teams have missed
I now understand why they spent so much money on trackside advertising and TV and Radio AD's as they knew the car wasn't going to get any race coverage
Once they knew their hybrid components didn't work, they should have pulled out. It would have been one thing to turn up with an uncontrollable animal with stupid top speed and serious cornering issues, which then broke. But to limp around at the back was pretty feeble.
Love the concept. Could be a complete dead end, but until all the hybrid parts are functioning we won't know.
Love the concept. Could be a complete dead end, but until all the hybrid parts are functioning we won't know.
They are planning the enter the rest of the season, hopefully they will honour their commitment!
TBH just the fact they had all 3 going into the night was impressive, to have to run with such a major handicap was unfortunate (and they will be without the Hybrid system for the rest of the WEC season) but it did provide the team with decent mileage, the need to work under race conditions and a base line for performace.
Fair play to the drivers also, none of the quotes I've seen showed them moaning with the lack of performance, for the rookies it must have been a baptism of fire seeing how much later the GT cars could brake, and how much faster the other LMP1 machines were.
TBH just the fact they had all 3 going into the night was impressive, to have to run with such a major handicap was unfortunate (and they will be without the Hybrid system for the rest of the WEC season) but it did provide the team with decent mileage, the need to work under race conditions and a base line for performace.
Fair play to the drivers also, none of the quotes I've seen showed them moaning with the lack of performance, for the rookies it must have been a baptism of fire seeing how much later the GT cars could brake, and how much faster the other LMP1 machines were.
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