TBK-Light.com

It's own topic FFS.



So sad. End of an era.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/10/2 ... eason.html

Genuinely gutted by this. I was expecting it: the rumours had been around for a couple of weeks. But I did also think that I'd get to see them one last time at Le Mans 2017.

I hope it's not a case of "we were winning aaaaall the time but now someone else is winning and we are not so it is not fun anymore so we quit"

It's not, it's money. After the VAG emissions scandal something had to go and unfortunately it was Audi's LMP1 program. Gutted

I wonder if the recent German laws regarding internal combustion engines after 2030 have any play with this as well. Would make sense for them to get a head start on development for the future (for both production & motorsport).

Very sad indeed though, hope they get 1 more win at Shanghai or Bahrain in a few weeks time.

I really didn't expect this, not this soon.

I hope some other manufacturer considers entering LMP1 in 2018 (BMW?), otherwise the future doesn't look very bright.

Or I wonder if the future of LMP1 could be represented by something similar to the DPI formula: controlled cost chassis built by a limited number of small constructors, with works power units and factory re-branding.

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"IT'S CHAOS! ABSOLUTE CHAOS!"

Very sad news. I started watching Sportscar racing and Le Mans in 2000 because of Audi. Gutted

Bummed that they are going to enter a gimmick formula rather than making actually relevant cars. I hope FE is a short term solution for them, and that that hydrogen LMP1 project actually comes to fruition.

And the WEC bubble has burst, what will be the draw with only 2 teams and 4 cars in LMP1. I found 6 (competitive) cars in the top class already much too little to call it a real world championship

VW head honchos sent a directive after dieselgate to the entire group to cease showcasing diesel technology on the world stage asap, so the writing has been on the wall for sometime. Hydrogen is just a pipe dream ATM and they didn't see the point of having two brands competing against each other with the same engine technology and FE is the latest fad so no brainer since it only costs a tenth of the budget.

Man this sucks. They where never my favorite team (Always supported their opponent) but WEC without Audi will pretty much suck.

What will happen to team Joest? Will they support Audi in Formule E (which I assume will remain with team Abt) and other motorsport activities, or can they maybe aquire a customer Porsche like the old days.

LMP1 will need new manufactures and privateers soon, otherwise this won't end well. Just like when GT1 died and they upgraded GT2 to the top class, i can see LMP2 becoming the top protype class if it continues like this.

is it possible for a privateer to enter competition with a hybrid car? it seems so expensive for a operation like that

I'm sad because in the future there'll be no more internal combustion racing cars in top series

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Motorsports trend for 2024: everything is a bad taste joke now

Also bad news for Laurens Vanthoor, who was preparing himself for a top seat in Audi in 2017.

This was on the cards when Audi increased it's FE presence. I don't see any new teams coming in. BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar are focusing on other things.

Will this entice new privateer LMP1 entries? For me, unlikely. If I was starting a team, I would be looking at LMP2 or GTE. There's greater competition there and a greater satisfaction when you achieve a win.

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"Many people ask me why I always sign off Till We Meet Again, because goodbye is always so final. Goodbye Dan Wheldon." -Marty Reid

Privateer LMP1's can't have hybrid can they?

I think it is pretty clear between the cost of operating an LMP1 team, Volkswagens current issues with Dieselgate and the fact that they were beating themselves by going up against Porsche...the writing was on the wall.

Now Audi can go frolic in the green pastures of electric racing.

I suspect there is some truth to this. It's clearly 90% to do with dieselgate, but I'm sure they have an eye on the horizon.



Yeah, multiple major manufacturers are diverting money into a gimmick formula that has no relevance for future cars

Lightweight formula type cars on gokart circuits, running 80km long races, including car switching.

Meanwhile, independant companies are building cars running on recycled human waste/electric cars with intent on running the Le Mans 24h. Yes, Formula E in its current guise is a gimmick formula IMO. At least compared what's in the pipeline for Garage 56 (or whatever it is called now)(it should be more than one car and race per year). I kinda suspect that FE is short term is Audi's main project. They won't leave Joest out in the cold for long... Le Mans is forever etched in Audi's DNA, it's already a matter if "when", not "if" they will be back.

When the emissions scandal has died down and they can justify the costs involved.

Audi wont be back with a diesel. They will be back with hydrogen or all electric.