Corvette to stay at Sebring for GT3 test
Toyota isn’t the only manufacturer testing after the ‘Super Sebring’ meeting, as Corvette Racing tells DSC that it too is staying in Florida to test its 2024 Z06 GT3.R. The test car, which ran in camouflage last year and turned laps after the Rolex 24 will take to the track in Sebring for two days of running. Development driver Tommy Milner is expected to drive.
The test car here for Corvette is believed to be the only fully built-up chassis, the second car is understood to be still in build.
Changes made to WEC pit entry
In previous years the pit entry for the WEC drivers was between Turns 15 and 16, but this year the organisers have moved the entry to the entry to T15, meaning the drivers are taking to the entry at a higher speed. This has caused plenty of discussion up and down the paddock, with drivers forced to adapt to the new layout.
One driver expressed concern about the new entry to DSC. “If it rains and you’re on slicks, it’s going to be tricky when coming in hot,” they said. This is because there are concrete walls separating the track and the pit lane fork.
Race officials have revealed to DSC that in order to mitigate the problems reported by the drivers after the first day of the prologue, a white line was painted on track at T14.
Any driver intending to leave the track to enter the pits, must remain on the right-hand side of the above-mentioned line and follow the requirements stated in Appendix L Chapter IV article 4d).
New BoP rules should remove incentive to ‘sandbag’ in Hypercar
Toyota’s technical director Patrick Vasselon believes the rules on BoP changes for this season in Hypercar should prevent accusations of sandbagging throughout the season.
Currently, the Balance of Performance is set for Sebring, with no changes anticipated between the Prologue and race. Beyond that an anticipatory BoP has been made for Portimao, Spa and Le Mans.
“This is what was agreed last year, it was a long process last year discussed in several working groups. The BoP will be stable until Le Mans.
“The only thing that may be adjusted is the so called ‘Platform BoP’ between LMDh and LMH, which could be adjusted every second race. So, it could be adjusted before Spa.”
The ‘Platform BoP’ system means any changes made are to all cars of the same type (LMDh and LMH), rather than specific cars.
“If there is for instance plus 5 kilos for LMDh, all LMDh cars will have that change,” he explained. “It will be applied to all cars running under the same regulations. The essence is to put all cars in the same performance ballpark.
“I think it makes life much easier. One of the benefits of this fixed BoP, is there’s no incentive anymore to sandbag. In the past there were stories about it and it was bad for everyone.”
Gass enjoying new surroundings at JOTA
Former head of DTM at Audi Sport Dieter Gass is present with HERTZ Team JOTA in Sebring for his first event with the British team. Gass has been signed up as team principal for JOTA and is a key part of the the outfit’s forthcoming Hypercar effort with Porsche’s 963.
DSC spoke with Gass ahead of what is set to ba a quieter event for him in his new role. While he is part of the team for its LMP2 effort here this weekend, he is still getting up to speed. The real work starts for him when the team debuts its 963, which is expected to be at Spa.
Gass says he’s really enjoying life at JOTA so far and has been impressed with the level that the Le Mans class winning team operates.
“I got in touch with David Clarke some time ago, before the deal with Porsche was sealed,” he told DSC. “He told me his vision and said he wanted to work with me. We stayed in touch and once the 963 deal was sealed we continued out discussion.
“It was an easy decision. It’s all happening now, there are so many cars and manufacturers involved in prototypes so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I was really surprised by the level of every area of the team. I honestly didn’t expect it to be this good from the outside.
“For now it’s been good to get back in the paddock, reconnect and get to know the team.”
Götz present at Glickenhaus
2021 DTM Champion Maximillian Götz is in negotiation with Glickenhaus Racing to join the team for the Le Mans 24 Hours in its second 007.
The Mercedes-AMG factory driver is in attendance throughout this meeting, including the Prologue test. And whilst he didn’t want to talk in detail about his prospects for a Hypercar drive, he was happy to confirm that discussions were underway.
LMP2 homologation rules tweaked
A team source at Alpine Endurance Team confirmed to DSC that its two-car LMP2 entry will be referred to as ORECA 07s this year. This marks a change from previous seasons in the class, where the 07 was badged and homologated as an Alpine A470.
DSC understands that the option to do this, which was also taken up by G-Drive Racing with its Aurus 01, has been withdrawn.
This is to ensure that any factory that wishes to enter the WEC, directs its programme to either Hypercar or the forthcoming LMGT3 classes.
#51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P done for the day
The #51 AF Corse 499P will take no further part in the FIA WEC Prologue and will miss the final session this afternoon, following its incident at the start of this morning’s Session 3.
The car sustained significant front-end damage (including to the suspension) in James Calado’s Turn 1 off on cold tyres while trying to get past a TF Sport Vantage. It has forced the team to focus on repairs rather than gaining extra mileage this afternoon.
This is the second significant incident for a Hypercar class entry, after Jean-Eric Vergne damaged the #93 Peugeot 9X8 while trying to pass the Vector Sport ORECA, also at Turn 1.
