Did Fuji mark a turning point for Audi in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship?
Certainly the R18 E-tron quattros were thoroughly outclassed there, in particular in straight line speed where the data showed a 25km/h deficit to the Toyotas, even though the TS040s were coasting at the end of the main straight.
And whilst there is nowhere else on the remaining calendar with a 1.4 km main straight, Shanghai, Bahrain and Interlagos all have substantial sections where straight line speed is a must.
Audi’s issue, due in no small part to their decision on adopting ‘just’ 2Mj of hybrid assistance this year comes at a time when the Porsche is coming on strong, the 919 finally looks the part, though ultimate reliability is not quite there yet.
Audi and Toyota have been testing at Estoril in the run up to the race in China, Toyota looking to squeeze even more out of a car that on pace at least, has bossed the 2014 season, a season that has seen three wins for the #8 crew, a pair of 1,2 finishes for the two TS040s and Sebastien Buemi and Ant Davidson with a 100% podium finishing record for the season so far.
Nicolas Lapierre is listed again for Shanghai but it’s unclear as to whether his personal matters are resolved sufficiently to allow him to return in support of his colleagues’ World Championship run that now see Buemi and Davidson lead by a mighty (and until Bahrain at least insurmountable) 26 points.
That’s a mountain to climb for the Audi boys but as we’ve seen time and time again they never, ever give up. The Estoril test will have seen aero work for sure that might assist the issues suffered in Japan. This is a team of unparalleled depth and if there’s a solution it will surely be found. Certainly Audi look to be on the back foot, but don’t count them out.
Porsche meanwhile have a different set of issues, there is nothing at all wrong with the performance of their 919 Hybrid, but it is still, very clearly, a development year with new car niggles spoiling some spectacular running.
The pace of the car is a joy to behold and the potential is there for a challenge for a win IF the gremlins stay away.
They’ve been testing at Aragon in pursuit of answers for this season, and with further members of the GT squad testing the car too, apparently for next year!
Mark Webber now looks dialled in to the task in hand, his quality shining through clearly and Brendon Hartley has been quick all season, and now seems at ease with the altogether very different surroundings of a major factory team, the season’s most inspired signing is paying back on Porsche’s gamble.
The Privateer field had a troubled trip to Japan, both Rebellions suffering repeated electrical niggles with the #13 car eventually taking its first win of the year in what was also its first finish! A car that has seen great reliability suddenly struggled in Japan. The team will be busy in the run up to Shanghai.
The major drama though was that which befell the Lotus/ CLM, the inferno which engulfed the car of massive concern not just to the team, but also we’re sure to the WEC.
The car is in the process of being rebuilt around the team’s second tub in China (more on this in due course) but questions remain about safety. How could burning fuel be sprayed (as described vividly by Christophe Bouchut) into the cockpit.
One theory surrounds the positioning of the fuel flow meters. The CLM’s tub is believed to be a (mildly) modified version of the original 2013 Addess LMP2 tub (both original tubs are now owned by the Praga team). If this has led to the necessity of siting the meters in the cockpit area then a potential explanation is there for all to see.
For now though there are several questions: Will the car be rebuilt in time, will it be allowed to race if safety concerns remain? and who will drive it?
Christophe Bouchut seems (understandably) to have had enough and the entry for Shanghai lists Lucas Auer once again alongside James Rossiter and Pierre Kaffer.
