RE: Porsche reveals LMP1 car
Discussion
zebedee said:
was he 'dumped' or did he follow a high end programme when GT1 was no longer the top level and Porsche was no longer operating at the top level?
And it may not be their own decision where they go seeing as their ultimate paymaster whether at Porsche or Audi would be the same.
Perhaps 'dumped' was a bit strong but you get my point.And it may not be their own decision where they go seeing as their ultimate paymaster whether at Porsche or Audi would be the same.
The VW ownership of both brands is interesting. I'm sure there are conspiracy theories that the VW board could carve up the Le Mans spoils between Porsche & Audi over the next few years to stoke up interest in the race and both brands marketing efforts. However, I can't believe (or perhaps don't want to believe) that the VW board would ride roughshod over the entire Audi management and mandate they give up their best drivers to the Porsche entry.
On a separate point, wouldn't Porsche want to write their own history concerning their return without all the inevitable Audi media stories?
Maybe I'm naive but I still cling to the dream of Porsche vs Audi going toe-to-toe in 2014 without either being politically hobbled.
Edited by Maldini35 on Thursday 13th June 15:11
Maldini35 said:
Perhaps 'dumped' was a bit strong but you get my point.
The VW ownership of both brands is interesting. I'm sure there are conspiracy theories that the VW board could carve up the Le Mans spoils between Porsche & Audi over the next few years to stoke up interest in the race and both brands marketing efforts. However, I can't believe (or perhaps don't want to believe) that the VW board would ride roughshod over the entire Audi management and mandate they give up their best drivers to the Porsche entry.
On a separate point, wouldn't Porsche want to write their own history concerning their return without all the inevitable Audi media stories?
Maybe I'm naive but I still cling to the dream of Porsche vs Audi going toe-to-toe in 2014 without either being politically hobbled.
Don't get me wrong, I doubt if any of the Audi faithful 'defected', but it wouldn't be an enormous surprise if they did. The VW ownership of both brands is interesting. I'm sure there are conspiracy theories that the VW board could carve up the Le Mans spoils between Porsche & Audi over the next few years to stoke up interest in the race and both brands marketing efforts. However, I can't believe (or perhaps don't want to believe) that the VW board would ride roughshod over the entire Audi management and mandate they give up their best drivers to the Porsche entry.
On a separate point, wouldn't Porsche want to write their own history concerning their return without all the inevitable Audi media stories?
Maybe I'm naive but I still cling to the dream of Porsche vs Audi going toe-to-toe in 2014 without either being politically hobbled.
Edited by Maldini35 on Thursday 13th June 15:11
There are other top prototype drivers that haven't been mentioned too - Olivier Pla must be in contention, promising youngsters too like Brendon Hartley, Mathias Beche and Oliver Turvey (McLaren duties notwithstanding). Tom Kimber-Smith would be ace and deserves a pro drive. Peugeot refugees like Nic Minassian, not to mention a whole host of talented GT drivers that could make the switch (in some cases back) to prototypes. Will be a fascinating story whatever happens.
I think the next few years will be potentially mouth watering.
Porsche vs Audi - the historically successful vs the relitively young but enormously sucessful upstart.
The Porsche vs Piëch dynasties, especially as now VW effectively "own" both VW and Porsche.
Where will joest racing end up as they have in effect run both factory teams in the past.
Diesel vs Petrol (can petrol make a comeback)
Drivers that have represented and won with both factory teams and still at the top of their game
Loving it..... just need to get Sebring back on the calendar now!
Porsche vs Audi - the historically successful vs the relitively young but enormously sucessful upstart.
The Porsche vs Piëch dynasties, especially as now VW effectively "own" both VW and Porsche.
Where will joest racing end up as they have in effect run both factory teams in the past.
Diesel vs Petrol (can petrol make a comeback)
Drivers that have represented and won with both factory teams and still at the top of their game
Loving it..... just need to get Sebring back on the calendar now!
Andy N said:
especially as now VW effectively "own" both VW and Porsche.
Do you mean Porsche own VAG? Where do VW come into it? ETA: Sorry, just checked and I hadn't realised the deal had kind of reversed in 2012 so yes VW now own Porsche (I thought it had happened the other way round, with Porsche buying VW).
zebedee said:
Do you mean Porsche own VAG? Where do VW come into it?
ETA: Sorry, just checked and I hadn't realised the deal had kind of reversed in 2012 so yes VW now own Porsche (I thought it had happened the other way round, with Porsche buying VW).
I think it pretty much got to the point where they owned each-other. Porsche bought more than 50% of the VAG shares, then VAG bought Porsche. ETA: Sorry, just checked and I hadn't realised the deal had kind of reversed in 2012 so yes VW now own Porsche (I thought it had happened the other way round, with Porsche buying VW).
Well done to him for getting what must be such a coveted drive. 
Jani, Dumas, Bernhard looks a very strong line up.
Surely Porsche though will be competing with at least two cars in the FIA WEC and at Le Mans next year, if so that means a drive for 3 more drivers.
It's going to be a great race next year.
Jani, Dumas, Bernhard looks a very strong line up.
Surely Porsche though will be competing with at least two cars in the FIA WEC and at Le Mans next year, if so that means a drive for 3 more drivers.
It's going to be a great race next year.
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