New Silverstone FWD record for Type R
Hot Civic beats benchmark time set by its predecessor as Time Attack tour continues
Honda's Time Attack tour is continuing apace as the manufacturer attempts to replicate the success of its previous set of record runs. Having already beaten front-wheel drive records at Magny-Cours and Spa, the FK8 has now claimed another fastest time at the home of British motorsport, Silverstone.
We had previously speculated that the track could be next on Honda's hit list, although it was three-time BTCC champion Matt Neal behind the wheel, rather than our pick of Jenson Button. Neal set a time of 2:31.32, just beating the previous record of 2:31.85 set by the previous Civic Type R in 2016.
"Where I found the real advantage of the Type R was really in the high-speed corners - the stability which is a combination of the aero and the new advanced suspension system," said Neal. "Into corners like Copse and Stowe at the end of the Hangar straight, you can carry big entry speed with supreme confidence."
Estoril and the Hungaroring are next, with Button and WTCC driver Tiago Monteiro yet to take the wheel. For now, though, you can compare and contrast the 2016 and 2018 record laps below.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz .....If you put a Michelin Cup 2 or Pirelli Trofeo R type tyre on I'd imagine you could take 10 seconds or more off.
Quickest FWD time at Silverstone - wow!
There ought to be something to compensate for all that squealing understeer. This weekend we will see how quick laps are done, and none of those will be FWD - maybe there is a reason for that?
Most RWD road cars are set up for understeer anyway and making them drift under traction would mean an even slower lap time so I don't really understand what this has to do with which wheels are driven when the Honda are actually very neutral.
Everyone is a pundit though !
The old car looks more neutral especially in the transitions, you can see the amount of corrective lock being put in. Looks more fun...! However the fk8 has higher ultimate grip and corner speeds are marginally faster however the fn2 is quicker to turn in which reduces the gap marginally.
The track layout is different too, with this latest attempt he is using the whole circuit and a bit, especially at Brooklands where on the old video there were bollards. With the fk8 he skips over the curb entirely.
Finally, I'd like to see a smooth driver like Lars Kern have a go, I expect there is more time to come off. The initial tip in is very aggressive and you can hear the front axle being saturated very quickly.
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