The topic of 'ring laps is one we've
discussed a lot
on PH and always sure to get a debate going. I'll put my cards on the table; I think it is a pretty good measure of a car and more relevant to its all-round performance than any straight-line acceleration or VMAX figure because it's as much about handling as it is impressive power outputs.
Hatz tells Walter: "Just don't bin it, right?"
And though I don't try to get sucked into hitting every press conference at motor shows I was glad I was at Porsche's when the 918 Spyder's 6min 57sec time was announced, if only to witness the genuine gasp of excitement it provoked.
Later that day we were with the Porsche guys at an after-show do and it's clear where they stand on 'ring lap time and their significance. "This is only what matters, it tests everything," said a clearly very chuffed Dr Frank Walliser, frizzy-haired 918 Spyder project chief. You'll know him from the two videos Chris Harris has done on the car, first with Frank driving and then when Harris got to take the wheel himself. Indeed, off the back of that Frank has found himself recognised in the street when out with the car, not something development engineers are necessarily used to.
Walliser: "If we just chop this much out of the video..."
The story of bagging the lap - which happened only last Wednesday - is worth hearing too, Walliser explaining that after the 7min 14sec the car did last year they were confident of a good time but not taking anything for granted. Bosses said go for it but stay safe, Wolfgang Hatz instructing that the cars were to come back intact.
First indication came when Marc Lieb arrived direct from a flight back from a WEC round at Brazil, late and after a frantic drive from Stuttgart airport. Helmet and suit on he jumped in the car and did a 7min 7sec, said "I'm good, see you tomorrow..." and that was that. Not bad for a sighting lap.
Then Walter Rohrl, ostensibly the voice of wisdom and restraint, went out. Frank relates that he came back nonplussed, saying the tyres were off, the brakes weren't too his liking and the rest. "And we said, Walter, you did a 7:04! He said 'not bad for an old guy' and he was smiling for the rest of the evening because he had gone faster than the young guys!" recalls Frank.
Love it or hate it, it's done the numbers
Next morning the team had 40 minutes, two cars, two drivers (Lieb and Timo Kluck) and a tight schedule. Drivers swapped between cars and the lap times came in, first a 7:01, then a seven dead, then 6:59 and then, with Lieb in the Martini car, the 6:57. And finally a sense of release. "Until that point we were just nodding and saying 'uh huh', noting down the times," said Frank. "But after that it was cheering and real celebration!"
And what of McLaren, whose nose must now be pretty out of joint? Walliser pointed out that the 918's four-wheel drive traction is an advantage that offsets the power deficit over the P1 and though diplomatic couldn't hide his delight at bagging the first sub-seven lap in this new hybrid hypercar age.
As for the Carrera GT the project chief of that car, and technical manager of the 918 Spyder, told us tyre technology has moved on a long way in the last decade and accounts for as much as half of its 30-second or so lag over its successor.
Overall though there's just a huge sense of vindication from the 918 team. And whatever you think of electrically assisted supercars a feeling they've proved it can work.
Porsche 918 Spyder at the 'ring
Porsche 918 Spyder 6min 57sec onboard
