Porsche 919 Evo quicker than F1 at Spa
Porsche may have officially ended its LMP1 campaign, but it's not done just yet...
That being said, Porsche isn't quite done with its triumphant 919 just yet. As part of the #919tribute tour taking place this year, Porsche has created the 919 Hybrid Evo. And we all know cars with Evo tacked on their name are better. With more power - a lot more power in fact, 720hp from the petrol engine and 440hp from the batteries - and even more aggressive aero, the Evo is 12 seconds a lap quicker around Spa than an ordinary 919. It also makes it quicker than a 2017 F1 car, the 1:41.770 set by Neel Jani more than seven tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton's 1:42.553 pole lap from last year's Belgian GP. Jani averaged 153mph and hit a 223mph maximum.
As yet Porsche hasn't issued a video of the lap, instead using the opportunity to celebrate the regular 919's successes with vids like this one. Fortunately a few folk with cameras did see it, and that's the video we have here.
It's genuinely staggering to watch, simply because it's a reasonably familiar silhouette cornering like an F1 car. Of course a 919 was always fast, but this is on another level entirely, Jani saying "The 919 Evo is brutally impressive. It is definitely the fastest car I ever drove. The grip level is at a fully new dimension for me, I couldn't imagine this amount beforehand." While it's a shame that something so incredible will never get to race, Porsche does have big plans for the car, with rumours that a shot at Stefan Bellof's own Porsche record are in its sights. Could the 35 year-old 6:11.13 Nordschleife lap record be about to fall?
I am a Porsche fan boy, but hope the Bellof record remains unbroken as it is a real legacy and was set in the best era of Sportscar racing. I guess records are there to be broken and not many have stood for as long as the Bellof lap. Also his would remain the record for a car within the racing rules!
I am a Porsche fan boy, but hope the Bellof record remains unbroken as it is a real legacy and was set in the best era of Sportscar racing. I guess records are there to be broken and not many have stood for as long as the Bellof lap. Also his would remain the record for a car within the racing rules!
Take away the restrictions of homologation and I'm sure quite a few cars, all the F1 grid included, would be able to set significantly faster times. 53% more downforce and a removal of the energy limits from the powertrain and it's no wonder it's significantly faster.
I'd rather see them at la Sarthe again.
I agree, a lot of modern racing cars could be adapted to be faster and even have a crack at the outright Nurburgring record, but nobody else has and even Porsche might not fancy that one despite the road car record falling countless times.
Shows what a difficult challenge it is and what a truly special lap the Bellof one is.
A mind boggling piece of info shared by Neel Jarni was that the minimum corner speed through Eau Rouge was 191mph! That's just insane!
It won't be straight forward setting it up to run at Nordschleife, though. The karussell in particular would require much higher ride height than typical.The thing would be finding a driver willing to drive something like this there. As such I bet it's just a demo lap since I'm not sure anyone has balls big enough...
More likely would be Goodwood, since Loeb tried it in his insane Citroen (with some LMP parts) a couple of years ago. This would have a real chance of beating Heidfeld's record there. It's all about wether they feel it's worth the risk. I imagine Laguna Seca will be conquered, Brands probably (I'm assuming it will be the Indy track).
Would love to see it round Le Mans, though.
I really hope they do go for it. Hell, I'll give it a go if they don't want to :P
I would love to see this beast also shaking up Loeb's pikes Peak record!
As of Bellofs record, it is rumored that AMG wants to beat it with their Project One on slicks. The improvements in tires, suspension and traction management + especially modern race cars are easier to predict and handle on the limit will add up to this 'realistic' target.
A modern GT3 car is not far away from Bellofs record, considering the Porsche GT2 lap of 06:47. Taking a GT3 car, removing the restrictor and putting it on special tire compound will beat Bellofs record. Unfortunately no one has tried it yet.
This 919 EVO will just shatter it, if they find a driver who is brave enough to drive this attempt.
But would a totally regulation-free car look more like a single seater? Would it have a closed cockpit?
It's an intriguing thought.
A regulation free racing series would be mental!
Question for those more knowledgeable... does a closed cockpit car like this have ultimately more potential than an open cockpit (assuming both are likely to share the same sort of powertrain)? I'd assumed extra weight from the added bodywork but perhaps improved aero. From 'F-Zero' would be awesome. Something like this Porsche powered by a hybrid turbo V12 (or more) engine mounted where they like and powering however many wheels they want.
Hopefully somebody can enlighten me as to why there is a need in an unlimited sense outside of regs, to use a 2.0/1.6 turbo v4/6 when say a unrestricted NASCAR engine will produce 850hp pretty reliably out of the box? is it a weight issue or power delivery characteristics or even integration with MGU's etc?
Thanks
Hopefully somebody can enlighten me as to why there is a need in an unlimited sense outside of regs, to use a 2.0/1.6 turbo v4/6 when say a unrestricted NASCAR engine will produce 850hp pretty reliably out of the box? is it a weight issue or power delivery characteristics or even integration with MGU's etc?
Thanks
Within the regs it's about energy limits per lap and per second, hence choosing an efficient powerplant (relatively) and a potent hybrid system with a big focus on regeneration.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff