Porsche to quit WEC

[cuprabob]

Allyc85 said:

Saw on twitter there was a Formula E race on and switched on the Tv, only to see Dirty Dancing being shown. So much for being the next big thing..

It was on live on the Spike channel

[Allyc85]

Ahhh, that well known Freeview channel that not everyone can get.

[sirtyro]

WEC can bring back manufactures if they introduce hydrogen fuel cells as the new LMP1 fuel standard. It's the real future. This EV stuff is just a stop gap. Hydrogen is truly environmentally friendly and the current fossil fuel infrastructure could be easily converted without the cost of installing charging points.

I know hydrogen is a bh to control BUT with investment it could easily be developed. ACO need to take a brave pill and could be big influences of the future.

[entropy]

MG CHRIS said:

Lmp1 won't go and lmp2 won't become the top class. There are several lmp1 non hybrid cars in planning and building stages for 2018.

How quick will they be? ByKolles were barely quicker than the fastest P2 car in quali at LM this year; JCDC P2 car managed to lead for a decent portion of the race. 3m25s is what the ACO would love the P1s to lap LM considering that they don't like them lapping in the teens.

Bart Hayden of Rebellion Racing made a strong case for sticking with P2s. http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/sports-c...

Will Peugeot make any clarification/confirmation about WEC? Is Toyota willing to wait or will they leave?

My interest in WEC has been waning but have greater interest in IMSA Weathertech. Previously I was never a fan of Grand Am/Daytona Prototypes and only had interest in GTLM. IMSA have got it sussed with DPi's - essentially P2 chassis with manufacturer branded bodywork and engine - and then you've got GT3 running together with GTLM and far greater variety of GT cars.

[Havoc856-S]

sirtyro said:

BUT with investment

The reason Porsche are leaving will be financial. They've had significant failures (as have Toyota) with their well invested hybrid technology that have cost races and quite frankly the LMP1 class almost didn't win Le Mans this year because of that exact same well invested tech... The manufacturers are hardly going to invest in brand new technology that will take years of gestation to get to the standard now - burning huge amounts of money in the process for no reward other than a frail link to 'road car tech'.

It'd be a shame to see WEC crumble - i doubt it will. It has investment from British GT, Super GT, Blancpain Endurance, IMSA and Blancpain Sprint series in either cars, capital, drivers or all of the above. I think we will see a step to regrade the regulations so that LMP1 and 2 combine. It wouldn't be a massive step up for LMP2 and it would ensure the continuance of the LMP class. The GT part of the field is well stocked and i can't see that having any problems going forwards.

[MG CHRIS]

There is new rule changes for lmp1 2020 I think so more than likely manufactures waiting till then to decide what to do.