Ferrari At Le Mans?

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Kiril Varbanov
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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Ferrari LMP1 prototype spied testing in Europe - http://www.worldcarfans.com/11401096847 ... -in-europe

Cold Fussion
Cold Fussion
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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What's the reasoning for thinking it's an lmp1 prototype?

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Holm86
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Joined: 10 Feb 2010, 03:37
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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It doesnt have the "big honking holes" above the tires. So the chassis doesnt meet the regulations of LMP.

I still think its just a testbed for the F1 engine.

Saribro
Saribro
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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That's not even remotely an LMP. It's the same LaFerrari test mule (presumed for F1 engine by some) as from the oft-posted videos recently.

Lycoming
Lycoming
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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That is absolutely not a 2014 LMP1 car.

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WhiteBlue
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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I don't think it needs to be a 2014 LMP1 design to be interesting. It is obviously a test hack. If they have tested the F1 engine with it it will be even more usefull to test 2015 LMP1 components like the power train with the two recovery systems, the engine and the gear box. Aerodynamic safety features like the honking holes are completely irrelevant for such purposes. You want to take as many components through early testing cycles as you can before you finalize your race aerodynamics. As Ferrari will not aim for 2014 participation they have no purpose in following 2014 aero rule for their test hacks.

The most mind boggeling issue for Ferrari in my view will be Porsche. How are you going to beat Porsche with an F1 born engine if they design something that is entirely streamlined for Le Mans regulations that are even more stringent. Le Mans has lower fuel allowance and therefore higher efficiency requirements. There is less room for fudging the fuel efficiency in favour of "marketing gimmicks". Ferrari so far have displayed a disturbing tendency to pursue emotional objectives than engineering based objectives. It mayx become their down fall.
Formula One's fundamental ethos is about success coming to those with the most ingenious engineering and best .............................. organization, not to those with the biggest budget. (Dave Richards)

wesley123
wesley123
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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If Ferrari would run Le Mans as an official team, I'd say they outsource the chassis design. I have doubts with Ferrari's ability to run F1 and LMP projects in house, both financially as well as on manpower.

Audi Sport and Porsche are trowing huge amounts of money at it, and if you cannot spend the same amount of resources at it as they can, then you have already lost. Outsourcing the chassis would take the load away on manpower, but will take away their ability to adjust, and it won't change anything on the finances.

I don't see Ferrari joining Le Mans, maybe as a Engine manufacturer, but not with their own chassis.
"Bite my shiny metal ass" - Bender

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WhiteBlue
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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I would share those concerns. I think the Le Mans reference by Monte was a smoke screen for the F1 engine test in the La Ferrrari.
Formula One's fundamental ethos is about success coming to those with the most ingenious engineering and best .............................. organization, not to those with the biggest budget. (Dave Richards)

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Holm86
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Re: Ferrari At Le Mans?

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wesley123 wrote:If Ferrari would run Le Mans as an official team, I'd say they outsource the chassis design. I have doubts with Ferrari's ability to run F1 and LMP projects in house, both financially as well as on manpower.

Audi Sport and Porsche are trowing huge amounts of money at it, and if you cannot spend the same amount of resources at it as they can, then you have already lost. Outsourcing the chassis would take the load away on manpower, but will take away their ability to adjust, and it won't change anything on the finances.

I don't see Ferrari joining Le Mans, maybe as a Engine manufacturer, but not with their own chassis.
I agree. They also talked about the LMP1 racer being based on the LaFerrari. I just cant see that happening. For the car to be optimally designed within the LMP regulations it would look nothing like the LaFerrari. Porsche and Audis prototypes looks nothing like what they have for the road either.