GT1/GTP return to the top class in Le Mans 2020 | FerrariChat

GT1/GTP return to the top class in Le Mans 2020

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by 444sp, Oct 23, 2017.

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  1. 444sp

    444sp Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2016
    506
    According DSC Ferrari, Toyota, Nissan, Renault, Ford, McLaren and BMW attended to a meeting convened by the FIA Endurance Commission.
    The results of that meeting among other things showed the interest of manufacturers that their cars would encompass visual elements, at the very least, from their more extreme road cars. This is so that, at the very least, a car would be instantly recognisable as being relevant to a particular brand.
    That would see cars, referred to by one senior industry source in conversation with DSC as ‘GT Proto’, as somewhat closer in looks to a late 1990s GT1 car than a late 2010s LMP1. Pierre Fillon recently told Auto Hebdo not to focus too closely on race versions of roadgoing ‘hypercars’ as being the direction chosen – this would be more than subtly different.
    Interviews with top Toyota management months ago revealed that they would favour such a move. Ford’s Raj Nair too has expressed support for such a concept and the more ‘boutique’ manufacturers including McLaren and Aston Martin would certainly be interested in the potential to showcase a version – or at the very least an interpretation – of their most extreme machinery at the very front of the grid.
    ‘GT Proto’ could also provide a far easier path into competition in future years for truly cutting-edge tech, a competition version of the latest concept car, or ultra limited production hypercars. It’s a far more saleable option for the manufacturers marketing teams than a pure competition prototype.

    http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/10/23/new-2020-lmp1-rulebook-proposals-unpicked.html

    The cover of the Auto Hebdo magazine has a nice render of Mercedes AMG Proyect one racing in Le Mans.
    https://scontent.fsst1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/22540135_1804589942887723_3362405787619131027_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=4560b462f21d0e20f66ff2dd451f769b&oe=5A8756D2

     
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  2. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran
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    Nov 3, 2003
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    Were this to happen, it would be surprising as the ACO has nearly always been staunchly anti-Supercar/Hypercar.

    Would be great if it happens though.

    BHW
     
  3. DeSoto

    DeSoto F1 Veteran

    Nov 26, 2003
    7,481
    Meh, I suppose it´s going to be some sort of "silhouettes", i.e. a prototype with a bodywork faking a road car.

    Not a great fan but something had to be done.
     
  4. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran
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    This being the case, then they revert back to the GT1 formula of the mid/late 90s and it opens up a
    whole other can of worms as we saw then, participating manufactures went nuts with the technology
    and priced the formula out of existence.

    Since then, the ACO has steadfastly kept so much as dialogue about re-introducing a GT1 or Supercar
    formula at Le Mans completely off the table. This was on display most prominently when Risi wanted to enter the Maserati MC-12
    in the ALMS GT class and the ACO objected to the point of nearly withdrawing their sanction and license
    of the ALMS.

    My gripe is, whatever formula the ACO adapts, they need to make it open to privateers not just factory teams
    a-la Group C when privateers were allowed to run against factory teams in nearly equal equipment. I honestly
    think that if the ACO had thrown P1 open to homogulation so privateers could enter alongside the factory teams,
    it would have created much more interest.

    If the ACO is willing to bend to allow GT1 type Supercars in again, great!

    BHW
     
  5. 444sp

    444sp Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2016
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  6. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran
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    Would be so cool if it happened.

    It would be best to see the latest hypercard shooting it out in a real world test like Le Mans rather than
    on the covers of specialist magazines.

    BHW
     
  7. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

    Oct 2, 2011
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    So as long that Prototypes are exactly that, prototypes. I seen enough spec racing to last the rest of my life. Time for real race cars again!
     
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  8. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran
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    Honestly, if the listed manufactures that are said to be interested in this formula actually follow through
    and take part, they would most certainly be of the mind that they run all their own OEM equipment.

    Otherwise, there wouldn't be much point.

    What all series must watching now is the migration to Formula E. Mercedes-Benz will be leaving
    DTM at the end of 2018 for a full out FE program. Likewise, Porsche pulled out of WEC and both
    are entering full assaults on FE in 2019.

    If all these manufactures are investing in FE for the foreseeable future, it could well be at the
    cost of sports car racing and even Formula One.

    BHW
     
  9. tervuren

    tervuren Formula 3

    Apr 30, 2006
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    I would rather see prototypes than fake road cars.
     
  10. Ferrari 308 Vetro

    Ferrari 308 Vetro F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2012
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    Austria
    Fantastic randerings, would be great to see those cars racing
     
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