WEC 2025

The top thirteen were covered by less than half a second in FP1. Hopefully the remainder of the weekend is as close.

 
A bit early to make any predictions, but Ferrari got burned by the bop.

I think by now it's safe to say Peugeot is probably hopeless.
 
Field spread is still looking pretty tight, but leaning towards an LMDh weekend. I’m curious to see if the Valkyries can convert their single lap pace into race pace.
 
If you go to YouTube, the entire race will be broadcast live. Sorry, I forgot to save the link from last time. Use the search engine to find "WEC Brazil live stream."
 
Cadillac front row lockout once again. Here’s hoping it materializes into winning race pace this time.

 
Great win by Cadillac.

I have a funny feeling Toyota will offer a carefully worded statement about the rules. They took an almighty beating today and Ferrari wasn't much better.
 
Not a very interesting race. I’m glad that they showed a lot more of the LMGT3 class to compensate for that though.

Certainly glad to see Cadillac finally pull through for a WEC victory, but there’s definitely work left to do with the Hypercar BoP formula.
 
Doc Austin said:
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It’s sounded like Lambo significantly underestimated the scope and scale of this project, and they’ve been in their back foot ever since the big test crash at Paul Ricard totaled their first chassis.

I’d like to see them get a decent result at Indy or Petit before going “on pause”.

At least the Temerario GT3 looks really good. That’s their breadwinner for the foreseeable future.
 
FLRacingFan said:
I’d like to see them get a decent result at Indy or Petit before going “on pause”.
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You'd think they could stretch the resources enough to finish the year. Leaving early reinforces the impressions of mismanagement and lack of commitment. People could carry those impressions over to the GT program, accurate or not.

Or maybe I just don't like losing such a badass-looking car. Those Italian flag colors were bitchin'.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
You'd think they could stretch the resources enough to finish the year. Leaving early reinforces the impressions of mismanagement and lack of commitment. People could carry those impressions over to the GT program, accurate or not.

Or maybe I just don't like losing such a badass-looking car. Those Italian flag colors were bitchin'.
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I believe they confirmed that’s the plan, to run the final two endurance races. TBD whether that’s with the newly-developed parts or not.

I think their biggest issue if they even decide to revive will be finding a willing partner or customer team willing to take on the risk of running a questionable car while shouldering the financial burden.

I think it’s a damn shame too. It might be my favorite LMDh of all in terms of aesthetics. I really didn’t think they’d flame out this badly, they’ve done really well since entering GT3 racing with the Huracan a decade ago - Rolex 24, Spa 24, GTWC Europe, DTM titles. Just goes to show how much commitment it takes to graduate to LMH/LMDh successfully.
 

Sure looks different from the car they showed a couple of months ago. Looks almost like an Acura GTP. ​

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This seems like a good time for a stupid questions I've had for a couple of years: what's with the fender cutouts above the tires? I'm sure it can't be an aero advantage, so are they for brake cooling?

Signed,
Confused in Carolina
 
Doc Austin said:

Sure looks different from the car they showed a couple of months ago. Looks almost like an Acura GTP. ​

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Standard fare for an ORECA chassis - Acura, Alpine, and Genesis all have fairly similar noses for that reason, and I’d expect more of the same from Ford. I said when they first revealed it that it looks like a mashup of the Ferrari and a generic ORECA. The side profile reflects that best:

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Charlie Spencer said:
This seems like a good time for a stupid questions I've had for a couple of years: what's with the fender cutouts above the tires? I'm sure it can't be an aero advantage, so are they for brake cooling?

Signed,
Confused in Carolina
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They started as a series of louvres on the front wheel arches of the Peugeot 908s at the end of the 2000s after a series of blowovers. Through the years they’ve evolved into full-blown openings above each of the wheel arches.

Same reason why the fin extending from the engine cover to the rear wing got written into the regulations.

2010:

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2011:

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Charlie Spencer said:
That would have been well before I was paying attention. I probably remember them from not long before they were replaced by the unblocked openings.
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The vents came and went. For example, Mercedes blanked off the louvers for Lemas, but ran them elsewhere. In ALMS, so many louvers were getting knocked out by debris that they finally specified how big the opening should be and that' where the large cutouts come from.
 
Sounds like Mick is the favorite to replace the retiring Jenson Button at JOTA next season, which could include a reserve & development role with the Cadillac F1 team.

 
Mick has turned down the Cadillac offer. Now expected to land at McLaren with their new program. Cadillac tend to treat their drivers pretty equally and fairly across the board, Mick has gotten to qualify each race thus far for Alpine.

Really unfortunate, I think. Would’ve been a very fun and popular linkup, and given him a better ‘in’ with an F1 program.

 
Doc Austin said:

If anyone has a stream for COTA, please send me a PM.​

One little nugget from Hyperpole is Peugeot qualified third.

Kubica vaults No. 83 Ferrari to Lone Star Le Mans pole​

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No idea what’s going to happen today after seeing a lot of varied results through practice and qualifying. I’m just hoping for a competitive race. Qualifying also came in changing conditions, and it seems it could rain again today.

Also, it looks like they’re actually televising the race in its entirety on the MotorTrend TV channel today. That’s a nice change.
 
After trundling around behind the safety car for an hour they’ve finally red-flagged the race for weather.
 
FLRacingFan said:
After trundling around behind the safety car for an hour they’ve finally red-flagged the race for weather.
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The Eurosport commentator said part of why they decided to red-flag it was they needed to swap the safety cars because the first one was low on fuel and some drivers followed the safety car onto pit road, messing up the running order.
 
I flipped on Motor Trend TV and they are showing the entire 6 hours! My cable company doesn't carry Motor Trend so I would have otherwise missed it. I hope they broadcast the rest of the schedule.
 
I only gave this race my undivided attention for the final 45 minutes, but it was pretty interesting with the track drying out in the final hour and select LMGT3 teams switching to slicks. The GT3s were then lapping within a few seconds of the Hypercars, and the gamble paid off as they all leapfrogged the leading Mustangs in the final five minutes.

A shame the race was as interrupted by weather as it was.
 
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