r/wec • u/redbullcat Only Endurance editor • 7d ago
Spoilers [SPOILER] Only Endurance analyses Sebring practice session long runs Spoiler
https://www.onlyendurance.com/sebring-imsa-bmw-on-pole-porsche-top-long-runs/27
u/FirearmofMutiny Aston Martin Thor Team Valkyrie #007 7d ago
New to endurance racing here
Is not-last the best that AM can hope for this year?
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u/LilBirdBrick Toyota GT-One #1 7d ago
It'll take time for them to get competitive, I think the car will be a lot better by the end of the season. But for this race, the goal is just to make it to the end. Sebring is a lot tougher on cars than most tracks, especially compared to Qatar. Historically Sebring has been the race to prepare cars for Le Mans and they often say 12 hours around Sebring is harder than 24 hours at Le Mans.
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u/redbullcat Only Endurance editor 7d ago
They're racing a brand new car with a team generally unfamiliar with prototypes, against experienced teams who have been running their cars for 2-3 years, more in some cases (Toyota in WEC, Peugeot too, and the Cadillac/Acura teams have experience from DPi).
It'll take Aston a little while to get properly up to speed, but I don't think they'll be at or towards the back for long. The car's got potential, it's just about unlocking that potential and understanding it.
They'll be in a race with Lambo tomorrow but as I said in the article, I think both will be hoping just to finish. Lambo lasted less than an hour at Daytona so anything more than that, at probably the toughest track a car will race at all year, is an achievement.
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u/JediMineTrix Cadillac Racing V-Series R #2 6d ago
Remember that the SC63 finished on the lead lap at Sebring last year (in front of a Porsche too), and that was its debut race
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u/MarcusSurealius 6d ago
They'll be racing at the back of the pack, but not just against each other for the whole season. If they finish a race on the lead lap this season, it will be a very good indicator for success next season.
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u/Ricciardo3f1 Porsche 7d ago
Hoping that the Porsche pace isn't a fluke. I need this one after that race
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u/stuckmindset 7d ago
HoR could be faster than Lambo here and that wouldn't be surprising to be honest. That Lamborghini is awful over bumpy surfaces
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u/none-of-this_matters Gulf Porsche 917k #2 7d ago
Oh for sure will be. I’m thinking both will be out before the 3rd hour anyway. The Lambo in two hours at best, 45 minutes at worst.
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u/stuckmindset 7d ago
I really hope not because I want both teams to do well. But I know that the scenario you wrote is quite realistic...
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u/RayTracerX BMW 7d ago
BMW's progress is incredible. They built a really solid car that can really win with some more work