24 Hours of Le Mans & Alonso

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC‏ @Toyota_Hybrid

Breaking news: Our 2018-19 @FIAWEC driver line-up is confirmed and we welcome @Alo_oficial into our #8 crew.


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That’s a really strong team. All F1 drivers. If the car holds up (unlikely), and if they avoid crash damage (unlikely) and if the other car moves over (likely) they should be favourites for this race as the only factory lmp1 in the field!

Surely this is Toyotas year.... Surely..?!

 

Surprised they chose to keep Lopez and put Davidson as reserve but excited to see Alonso at LM. Should be a shoe in for victory but recent editions and Le Mans jinx, suspense. luck, je ne sais quoi, tell differently...

 

3 hours before the #WEC and @24hoursoflemans Super Season Launch Press Conference today.

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That's funny. Do they have a snow tire option?

 

Yes it is snowing again today; but you should have seen Paris on Wednesday morning: 3 to 4 inches of snow, and utter chaos everywhere; our Canadians "cousins" watching the mayhem on TV were rolling in laughter.
That said, the veil of snow in the morning, just at the time when the first light appeared, and before everyone dirtied it, was very nice.

Rgds

 

They are beautiful and rare photos.

 

WEC moves Fuji race date for Alonso, but creates controversial IMSA clash per Autosport.

also

WEC reveals 10-car LMP1 field for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours as well as 2018/19 superseason per Autosport.

 

Privately a lot of people are deeply offended that IMSA have been asked to move Petit Le Mans to cater to one individual - Fred.

 

It shows a lot about the desperation in the WEC offices right now if they are willing to screw over other teams and drivers to bring in one driver to race. What a stupid move on their part.

 

At least one long-standing member of the endurance paddock has already referred to it as licking Alonso's private parts.

 

I don't think that's very private. people are pissed.

and honestly it's a terrible precedent to set. I think this is the beginning of the end of all the genuflecting over getting Alonso into your series. it will end up being bad for WEC's image.

 

I am looking forward to LeMans again. I am dying to see how Fred does in traffic. I think we are going to see quite the show on how not to pass. This ain't F1.

 

Seen the Magnus press release?

 

It is brilliance!

 

I would say that Fred has made few people a wee bit upset. Maybe the team's should consider a "vacation" from said events in order to send a message. 6months planning shot to hell all because Fred? He is good, but he ain't that good.

 

It's not Fred's fault. The WEC made the decision.

 

Who pays for all the costs associated with making this calendar change for IMSA? (rhetorical obviously - everyone who incurs costs for flights, hotels, lost opportunities, etc is screwed) What a disgusting farce the WEC have made of things.

 

Don't care. There's not many drivers that I have much of an opinion on, no heroes, etc but Fred is one I definitely dislike so it is his fault. Period. Why can't he just stay in his own sandbox instead of disrupting everyone else's?

 

Naah. 'Had plenty of practice at Daytona.

 

What about IMSA? I'm missing something again, I guess.

 

Hell, even lowly NASCAR has car covers.....

 

If he wins this year does it count; they are the only manufacturer team? Though with the combined luck of Alonso/Toyota, the two cars will probably take each other out of the race in the first corner.

 

Not missing anything - I'm referring to IMSA being asked to move Petit Le Mans - you know, 6 months+ since the date was set, plans were made, flights and rooms were booked, etc, etc. Not to mention driver contracts, car leases, freight, etc.

 

Hence the "vacation". You simply cancel for said event now and cut the travel and team race expenses for this race. Let 30 or so team's do so and the WEC has a rather large problem. Then will see how big their pants are. Team's prepare months in advance and changing this around for one driver is totally unacceptably.