The Fastest Tin Tops in History: The Story of LMP1

LMP1. We think of it as being the three years or so of Porsche vs Audi vs Toyota, but that was just at the end. When you look into it there weren't that many manufacturers involved for a long enough period of time. Audi was there pretty much all the way through, but seemed to win Le Mans every year because it was the only manufacturer that could spend-spend spend.
But the story of how the ACO and co scrambled to replace the much loved Group C took a few tries, but it could not get that same manufactuer attention, not until the new Hypercars anyway.
Enjoy! And remember to like and subscribe for more!
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[@AidanMillward]

When I said Andrettis car was second in class, I meant second overall. This one broke my brain with how they kept going back and forth. 🤣

[@AndrewGeierMelons]

Wouldn't second overall still be second in class? Typically ..

[@bg22757]

​@@AndrewGeierMelons generally speaking yes.

[@AidanMillward]

@@AndrewGeierMelons his car was an LMGTP, so no, not in this case 😅

[@nelsonglover3963]

​@@bg22757q111

[@Celciusify]

The one thing I absolutely loved with LMP1 was the insane rate of improvement every year. Every year ACO reduced fuel flow, reduced downforce, closed loopholes etc etc. But the cars were still faster than the year before, and after 2014 they creeped ever closer to F1 laptimes. With tires that could last almost two F1 races.

[@Theel25]

I love Hypercar for the variety in shape and entry list, and think overall it's a better thing for racing. But, man oh man, is it something else to see extremely advanced cars like LMP1. Unsustainable, expensive, and developing at an almost impossibly fast scale, but they were amazing to watch. When they peaked, they really peaked.

[@mionellessi3086]

In my opinion, hypercars are already better than LMP1 ever was.

[@TheNecromancer6666]

​​@@mionellessi3086 They are Heavy, large, slow and basicly frozen. So your opinion is wrong. They are nice, with the large grid They provide, but from a Technology and wow factor perspective LMP1 was something else.

[@dhupee]

​@@TheNecromancer6666 he's not wrong, he's just on different side with both of you wow factor & tech, sure we have diesel with flywheel, V4, and Toyota lmao, other than 2016 where toyota stopped last minute or 2017 almost all LMP1 had technical issue, most of them are total 'F1 esque' domination LMP1 has different cars sure, but it feels like WRC/F1 where only 3 or 4 manufacturers joining, and like F1 most of the time only one manufacturer win, atleast in Lemans on the other hand I like LMH/LMDh more due to how open the technical reg is "but whatever you like, but respect our performance window" this regs philosophy open a lot of ways to make a car, the engines too, NA V8 Hybrid, bi turbo V8, V6 hybrid, DTM engine with turbo slapped on it with hybrid, sure BOP made it kinda artificial, but seeing lemans few days ago, i liked it, 5 manufacturer atleast leading more than 1 lap and have a chance to win, sure in the end its Toyota v Ferrari again, you are not wrong, he's not wrong, you just amazed by two different aspect

[@callummclachlan4771]

Yeah. LMP1 will always have a place in my heart for the sheer speed and technology, like pre 22 F1 cars. But the Hypercar class is better from a racing standpoint. So much closer.

[@TheNecromancer6666]

@@callummclachlan4771 There is more of them, but the Racing between Audi Porsche and Toyota was always absolutely nail biting.

[@syed_mamoon99]

It's good to see endurance racing and motorsport (in general) thriving like never before. What a time to be alive.

[@syed_mamoon99]

Hopefully not jinxing it.

[@dhupee]

@@syed_mamoon99 you are not, atleast this year

[@evandrochaves9596]

is it all thanks to DTS ?

[@syed_mamoon99]

@@evandrochaves9596 Possibly

[@prostreetbeetdhd4586]

The Audi R18 has to be in my Top 3 favorite cars of all time. There was nothing like the growl, the whine, and the sheer noise of it cutting theough the air. Truly to be missed... The Sauber C9 topped my favorite group C car w/ of course the 787b. I dont think we will ever see cars that raw and beautiful in their aggressiveness ever again

[@CyanRooper]

"The LMP1 class was actually more like the Audi Cup than you remember" Wasn't Group C like this as well in that the Porsche 956 and 962 cars were so dominant that Porsche created the legendary "Nobody's Perfect" advertisement using the 1983 Le Mans results? Also I would love to see a video on the GT1 class of the late 90s and early 2000s. Cars like the Mercedes CLK GTR and Porsche 911 GT1 were my favourite because to me they were like wolves in sheep's clothing if said clothing did a hilariously bad job at hiding the wolves: full on race cars that tried to bear a passing resemblance to the road cars the manufacturers made at the time (kind of similar to the Group 5 monsters of the late 70s and early 80s. Cars that were turbocharged, fire-spitting monsters that looked like widebodied versions of road cars. Also deserves a video).

[@AidanMillward]

Yeah, Porsche had built a monster that it was willing to sell to privateer teams. Plus I’ve done GT1. I think.

[@CyanRooper]

@@AidanMillward You haven't. I checked.

[@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo]

​@@AidanMillward Unfortunately I would have remembered you doing a video on the GT1 class, and you haven't... not yet anyway 🥺

[@bman6198]

I noticed that when I go back and watch older races. There was mostly one or two manufacturers that were blowing the doors off of everything else. The overall racing is the closest it's ever been today.

[@barkyonyx962]

@@bman6198 tfw Audi (IMSA GTO) Nissan Skyline R32 (Group A) Peugeot 205 (Group B) Porsche 956/962 (Group C) McLaren M8 (Can-Am) Porsche 935 (Group 5) Chevrolet Corvette C6. R (GT1) and so on

[@JoshuaC923]

I'm just happy that new fans realise how good endurance racing is with all the hype around the erm..hypercar

[@AidanMillward]

Haven’t seen so much manufacturer involvement in something since the heyday of the BTCC.

[@JoshuaC923]

@@AidanMillward yes! It's quite nuts

[@rolux4853]

„Audi Tractor“… *BLASPHEMY* The Diesels where such legendary cars with super efficient engine technologies that actually boosted the development and use of Diesel engines, especially in Germany. There was a period in Germany when almost 75% of newly bought cars in Germany where Diesel. For economy the 2.0TDI from Volkswagen which is still a very beloved engine to this day. Then for more power and fun 3liter V6 and inline 6 engines used in Audis, Mercedes and BMWs. Then finally in the luxury cars and big SUVs those same companies named above with V8, W10 and even V12 Diesel engines with a displacement from 3.5 to 6liter. Amazing engines ! I love driving BMW 3 liter inline6 diesels as my daily drivers since many years to comfortably cruise on the autobahn with 250kmh. Amazing and super efficient!

[@bjarulez]

I think it's a Ferrari year but its a long race, I love the sound that NASCAR car makes

[@bjarulez]

Well looks like my prediction was right, why didn't I put money on it

[@joelankeny6277]

Please do a video on the Audi’s. That is the time period I really got into endurance racing and I would love to learn more about the TDI of that era.

[@captiannemo1587]

Really interested on how well the garage 56 NASCAR entry runs. Can’t wait.

[@TheFarCobra]

The video clips of it have been neat to watch. How it makes its lap time is interesting (relatively low downforce and drag with a bunch of HP to drag it down the straights).

[@JutiMayranen]

the NASCAR entry wasn't too bad. It qualified 37th overall and did beat all of the LMGTE entries in qualifying. They finished the race in 39th position out of 62 cars.

[@LFC4LIFEJEDI]

The joy of seeing a video from Aidan pop up when your just browsing

[@randomfaca]

It's been so long since Porsche's been an underdog at Le Mans. Probably since '98? But I trust Penske, as well as the sheer number of 963's on the grid will help.

[@stu1002]

Good video, but I think I'd break this down a little more: The 2014--2017 era is worth a set of videos in its own right. Admittedly it was only 4 years, but WHAT a four years - Only three makes: Toyota, Audi and Porsche, but each one was completely distinctive, Diesel Audi., Small turbo Porsche, V8 Toyota ...and yet they were all equally competitive and the racing was utterly sublime. The cars were, at that point, THE most extreme racing cars on the planet - pushing all sorts of interesting tech that F1 could only dream of, while also having better racing. Almost every round of the WEC during those 4 years was a classic race. It really was. And the rate of advancement was insane. Compare the final Audi R18 (The black "stealth" variant) with the versions that came before - it was a huge developmental change - look at the way the laptimes dropped at Le Mans - all the way to Toyota finally breaking the ALL TIME record (pre-dating the creation of the chicanes on the Mulsanne) . It was absolutely unreal in those 4 years. Books and films should be made about it. It was a short, but absolutely perfect era of motorsport.

[@damarfadlan9251]

I am in love with these awesome LMH and old LMP1s.

[@666willis666]

group c is my favorite

[@MurphysLawNZ]

I always called the Hybrid era a technological arms race to the point I don't even think we saw it to this level in f1. I think it was between 2014 and 2015 the ACO said they slowed the cars down by around 4 seconds at Le Mans, the funny thing was the cars were around 3 seconds a lap faster. So if the ACO was correct, realisticly they were 7 seconds a lap fast year on year. It may have only had 3 manufacturers but they proved you don't need numbers to have epic racing man it was cool in a way you won't see again.

[@AidanMillward]

That 919 being let fully off the lead was proof enough of how insane they could be.

[@GreatAsaf]

@@AidanMillward being myself an engineer, for me the Porsche 919 Hybrid is the epitomy of what can be achieved when engineers are let loose...something truly spectacular. My favourite Le Mans car, ever.

[@MurphysLawNZ]

@Tiago Soares da Costa honestly when people say the 1993 Williams is the most advanced racecar I tend to reply, correction, most advanced f1 car. To me the most advanced racecars ever built is the 919

[@Official_MikeyT]

Nobody beat Audi at Le Mans in LMP1 until 2009 and yet people say "ToYotA nEver hAd anY cOMpetiTioN." Face the facts, the Bentley was just an R8 under the bodywork.

[@marcusmeurich494]

I was fortunate to whitness them live at the Nürburgring WEC round in 2015 & 2016. And boy those LMP1 Hybrids were quick! You could even see the extra Hybrid boost they used to exellerate ouf of a corner.

[@VonBlade]

I'm already more exited after one Qualifying than I was when Hypercars were announced. I really thought Toyota would still stroll off, but apparently not. Gonna be fun (assuming Ferrari aren't borrowing the F1 strategy team)

[@AidanMillward]

Toyota getting a right cob on because they’ve been BOP’d hard for the first time in forever. I just want to see Porsche win tbh.

[@davidaugustofc2574]

The Ferrari team is not actually related to Ferrari the manufacturer nor the F1 team, founded by someone that was not related to Enzo, Ferrari just happens to be a more common surname over there. And they're much more humble and better organised as far as I can tell.

[@VonBlade]

@@AidanMillward Given that it's the 100th, and I'm super cynical, I can't decide if they want Porsche to win, because Porsche at LM, or Ferrari to win, because Ferrari 100th would be a nice reward for coming back. We'll find out with the final BOP tonight. Although I spent years rooting for Rebellion so what do I know :)

[@AidanMillward]

@@VonBlade there is probably an element of that. But at the same time, Toyota winning every year is bad for business

[@pilotlasse]

Given the cars are run by AF Corse, a mixed American-Italian team if my memory is correct, that isn't going to be a problem. And for once I think I might actually be able to be a Ferrari fan without the pain of seeing them struggle so much like they do in F1. Added note about AF Corse, I think it's pretty much still the exact same team that raced the 488s in GTE Pro, where they were Ferrari's unofficial factory entry with massive success.

[@LuminalSpoon]

I was watching the traxion video on the history of Le Mans and John Munro said something quite interesting. Basically there will be people who will look back at this time and remember how good things were and will have some sense of nostalgia. I wonder if people in the Group C era thought the same thing...

[@ImInLoveWithBulla]

Disappointed with the pace of the Glickenhaus. I know they’re an underdog, but they’ve bloodied some noses before. I’d love to see the Garage 56 entry ruffle some feathers. You know that engine should hold together. And the drivers are definitely up to snuff.

[@NoiseBombS14]

Porsche and Penske needs this win Porsche is synonymous with Le Mans, this is the hundredth running, would be Porsches 20th overall win, and would finally get Penske a championship that isn’t on the shelf Maybe I’m an American and Porsche nerd, but come on, it’s gotta be them

[@jeremythurman5261]

Penske vs Ganassi.

[@supercededman]

I'm not American, but hope Roger gets that win. His ties with Australian motorsport are strong.

[@bman6198]

I'm pulling for the 01 CGR Cadillac, good luck out there

[@noname-gp6hk]

I don't think this was the hundreds running of le mans, right? It was the 100th anniversary but they skipped a few years during that time?

[@NutellaCrepe]

Oh boy who’s gonna tell him?

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Aidan: This was really interesting. Thank you.

[@AntoniusTyas]

Martin Haven is an absolute legend. When he's in commentary box, be it in WEC or WTCC (plus occasional Spa 24 Hours) you know it's gonna be good.

[@silvy3047]

He's so much fun to listen to, and you know whoever he's with is just having a good time too

[@AidanMillward]

I commentated on the Virtual Endurance Championship's Le Mans with him in 2020. He had us in stitches every time we were on together.

[@307pug205]

The Bentley speed 8, was an Audi R8 with a roof

[@slaphead90]

"Audi Tractor" - Totally pissing myself

[@bogdanrus9402]

2:02 i remember that. Not only did he say that on live TV to millions, he said "heroin is the only alternative to cake at 3AM in the morning FOR KIDS"

[@AidanMillward]

It was so funny. 😂

[@m3lgar582]

This WEC season i've been so excited seeing all the new cars racing each other. And with more to come next year it's going to be big for sportscar racing.

[@minibus9]

Great video, LMP1 was very cool. I am looking forward for the future to see what will happen with the hypercars

[@The_BenboBaggins]

'Imagine a Radical on steroids' ironically, these were part of the inspiration for Radicals (born/created c.1998)

[@AidanMillward]

Those radicals are insane. My neck hurts just thinking of that track day last year.

[@zilentzap]

Mate the way you explain some things is incredible because many many details about the regulations and categories between the ACO and FIA and consequentially ALMS, I just did not know a lot of those. Excellent work

[@evandrochaves9596]

Damn i've been trying to understand endurance for a year, your video helped tons, thank you

[@ondrejkratochvil4589]

Well one positive of F1 cost cap is having Ferrari back in the top class of endurance after many many years :)

[@chicobicalho5621]

There is something quite amazing about a race whereby cars have to go all out for an entire day, and an entire night. Leave it to the French to come up with concepts like that. Another fascinating French sports concept, similar in spirit is the mind blowing sailing race called the Vendée Globe, whereby one sailor in a 60' boat IMOCA) leaves a French town called Les Sables-d'Olonne and goes around the world non-stop, unaided, racing another 50 or so men and women. It is known as the toughest sports event on the planet.

[@ADxWales81]

More big names next year too ;), Lamborghini, BMW, ....isotta...

[@mikehipperson]

Possibly Acura/Honda too if they get their act together?

[@eggselent9814]

De Tommaso and Aston Martin are also rumored

[@ambergris5705]

To see something far too overpriced, as if the account holders were throwing money out of the window is usually an amazing sight. LMP1, the B2 bomber, the feature length animated film by Toei Animation made to go with Daft Punk's 2001 Discovery, the International Space Station, Versailles... all definitely overpriced, and might not always make perfect sense, but just how good it is to witness such marvellous creations! That's why we love LMP1, because the cars became so precious and so good they destroyed themselves, and that's the recipe for a beautiful tragedy, a beautiful story, like we like to tell as car enthusiasts.

[@princeoftonga]

Was there in 2015 it was a great race! However I still think about what could’ve been with that Nissan. If Nissan head office had listened to the team who wanted to develop in 2015 and then actually race in 2016 things could’ve been so different. I remember hearing someone from Porsche that week quoted as saying that without the hybrid system the 919 would have been 20 seconds a lap slower and then looking at the lap times the Nissan with no working hybrid system was 20 seconds slower than the Porsche! I can see an alternate reality where Nissan holds the LMGTR till 2016, ditches the silly flywheel energy recovery system, fits a less powerful but actually working electric system and makes it a genuine 3 way fight for the win in 2016! Imagine going into the last 10 minutes and a Nissan is still within 10 seconds of the second place Porsche with the Toyota a lap ahead in the lead. Then with 6 minutes to go the leading Toyota slows and finally stops leading to the second closest finish of any Le Mans 24! Well I can dream can’t I?

[@danielhenderson8316]

The fun thing I loved about the American LeMans Series before they merged and recreated IMSA was because of the tight and and flowing road courses in US and Canada, the Penske Porsches in LMP2 were routinely fighting it out with the factory Audi diesels for the overall race win and beat them several times.

[@eamonahern7495]

I'm not a ferrari fan in f1 but I really like that they're back in the top class of le mans. On the Audi issue, wasn't the Bently that won one year basically a modified audi with a top on the cockpit?

[@ibex485]

Pretty much correct. VAG/Audi had just bought the Rolls Royce car company (after a bidding war with BMW), only to find Vickers owned the Rolls Royce name (through the RR aero engine company) which was promptly snapped up by BMW. So they were left with only the Bentley brand - so they entered Le Mans to promote it. The Bentley Speed 8 was based on the Audi R* LMP900 car and used the same engine in 2001 (& a modified version in 2003). The LM-GTP class was revived at that time for the Bentley entry (I think it was the only LM-GTP which entered in that period) and was based on the LMP900 class, not LMP675. To compensate for the aerodynamic advantages of the closed cockpit, the LM-GTP class had narrower tyres - rear only? (iirc). Audi didn't enter any works cars in 2003 (no Team Joest, only a few privately entered customer cars), to ensure Bentley got their win. Which was a shame, an Audi-Bentley battle would have been interesting. But Bentley were there to promote VAG's latest corporate acquisition (which they paid rather too much for, and through their own lack of diligence didn't come with its main asset - the RR name), not to race.

[@AdamTheMan1993]

@@ibex485 The irony of the Bentley Speed 8 in 2003 was it was operated by Joest Racing, even 2 of the 6 Bentley drivers that year were from the Joest Audi squad Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello

[@psychlops924]

Call me crazy, but I think Ferrari has both the most beautiful car in F1 right now and the most beautiful car of all the LMH/LMDH cars. Really looking forward to tomorrow

[@captainbarbossa5201]

While it's true that the 24 hours of Le Mans during the LMP1 era was basically an Audi-cup series, the same cannot be said for the other races in the WEC Championship nor the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup that came before it. From 2010-11, Peugeot won the Cup; Audi won 2012-13; Toyota won in 2014; Porsche won in 2015-16; and in 2017 only Toyota, Porsche, and Bykolles were left. Even in the early Le Mans series, Peugeot wiped the grid from 2007-8 with Audi only winning one race from those two seasons. So while winning Le Mans is an enormous feat - it didn't necessarily dictate Audi's dominance in other races (WEC 2012-13 however was something else).

[@ivertranes2516]

Yes! Deep dives... Audi's diesels The Bentley Toyota's failures and success Maybe the history of endurance racing in America

[@MichaelGloverMusic]

why i love being british..."a green and orange mazda" is fucking hilarious for no reason

[@AidanMillward]

Because it wasn’t fast, it’s all we can remember it for 🤪

[@tim.noonan]

‘France and striking, name a better combo’ *France and smoking*

[@OscarWildYT]

I really miss those LMP1’s, specially the Audis from 2012-2016. Also, I don’t like blue, but that Toyota livery was stunning (not as much as the red Porsche 919, though). I had the luck to watch some Le Mans races from that era, and they were very special for me. I have some kind of nostalgia while typing this. Audi was winning all the time until 2014 (except 2003 and 2009 as you said), but I would try to watch as many hours of the racing as I could, because I loved it

[@GregBrownsWorldORacing]

Loved groups C1 & C2

[@jwork5680]

honestly sometimes I wonder what if they just brought back the original group c regulations slightly modified for modern safety would that work?

[@thegreenbean5891]

Tomorrow will be my first 24 hr watch in at least 8 years. Stopped watching F1 8 years ago too and have no plans to ever go back. These new Hypercars are really fresh and interesting tho!

[@paulreilly3904]

Couldn't agree more with you about F1. I have no plans whatsoever to go back.

[@MisFakapek]

good one!

[@AdzSONLINE]

Looking forward to your post Le Mans video

[@ruhrpottrc-racingingermany5867]

I had to smile a bit at calling Group C "cars that are basically massive turbo-chargers on wheels" - while showing the naturally aspirated(!) Jaguar XJR-9 on screen. (Showing a Porsche 956/962 or a Sauber C-9 would have fit that comment a tiny bit better, I think) 😉

[@paulreilly3904]

We need to remember the names of Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer.

[@lucif3r_op920]

2:13 that is the exact same voice Jimmy Broadbent uses when doing the "☝🤓" . Like exactly exactly same

[@AidanMillward]

It's used by a lot of people, not just us XD

[@Mort221]

Having just watched this, and seen this years race, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the race and whether you think the new rules have made a big difference in the right direction.

[@masonhoeper9347]

LMP1 and LMP2 were really strong classes in ALMS for a long time. Acura, Porsche, Aston Martin, Mazda..

[@pookachu64]

2:20 lol yes!

[@jimcurt99]

I would love to be a fan of endurance racing- but they change the rules and the letters and the names in the classes EVERY YEAR- just can't keep up

[@ryanstewart4444]

02:07? I feel like there is so much more that needs to be added here. I love Martin Haven. I tried Opium 25 years ago and loved it. I love Sportscar Racing, however I never felt like conflating the three. I feel like there is so much more here that needs to be expanded upon. Certain statements are not throwaway lines.

[@ryanb9749]

I always thought the Group C cars looked like spaceships.

[@zachariahmorris833]

GT during this time was so damn good. Vipers, Vettes, Lambos, Ferrari, GTs, Aston, Merc and Porche

[@orionexplorer]

I am so glad to see someone else being able to take the fight to Toyota. I have a couple of cars I'm interested in and hoping against hope that Toyota does not win. They have had no competition for several years; they show up at Le Mans and win. I want to see how they really handle real competition from other manufacturers. It reminds me of the old WTCC, first BMW did the winning, then SEAT with their Spanish Armada, then Chevy Cruze, and finally Citroen. After BMW I feel it was one and only one team could win and then it was almost always the same driver. I feel the same about Toyota the past few years. It's time for some new blood to win Le Mans.

[@Holden308]

Did You Know?? While no 3.5L sports car engine ran in Formula One (although Peugeot's 1994 V10 was based on their sports car engine), an F1 engine did make it into sports car racing in the 1990's, though it was actually even less successful than it was in F1. At least in F1 it got a podium finish. It was ... the Lamborghini LE3512 V12 as used by Larrousse, Lotus, Ligier, Modena and Minardi and tested by McLaren.

[@gchampi2]

While it may not have been a 3.5L, the Ford DFV was quite successful at Le Mans, taking all 3 steps on the podium in 1975, and 1st & 3rd in 1980. The only change from the full F1 spec engine was a lowered redline - 9000rpm instead of 10,500rpm.

[@armorgeddon]

F1-based Cosworth V8 engines were powering some 3.5l Group C cars, for example the Spice and most famously the Jaguar XJR-14.

[@merobo5066]

Most prestigious 24h for sure, but best idk. I personally prefer Nürburgring and Spa as races

[@helljumper6192]

Same for me. The Nürburgring has the better atmosphere for me. It feels kinda like a Festival than a race. Racing is good tho.

[@WerdnaLiten]

@@helljumper6192 Le Mans attracts the 'once a year crowd', who can't be bothered with the other races.......

[@majorgrub1730]

Lemons is the pop version of endurance racing. Nürburgring is the true endurance test.

[@signorpippistrello]

Just finished my groceries for tomorrow!!!

[@tommoore4831]

You overlooked the swansong of lmp675, the penske porsche rs spyder. A factory lmp project by porsche, that did take overall wins in alms, against the audi's. with another year, could have challenged at le mans. However a big money lmp675 manufacturer effort helped kill a class aimed at privateers. MGs factory effort still used a customer lola chassis, they just added a factory engine, with a budget not much greater than the privateers. Porsche was a full factory effort

[@fdoc09]

The best combo in motorsport has to be mark webber and flying Truly iconic

[@Ms.Whiskertoria]

Is there something I'm missing about the Nascar in garage 56 this year being experimental or innovative?

[@Sephiroth5200]

NASCAR has done to their car what Porsche did to the 919 and made a road racing monster that it running 2 seconds a lap faster than any GT class car in the field right now. The car has traction control, abs, rear view camera, air conditioning, sequential gearbox, rear diffuser, full carbon brakes and is some 500 lbs lighter than a standard cup car.

[@jeremythurman5261]

Innovative for WEC and racing outside of the US market. Basically, it’s an off the shelf Nascar Cup car (chassis, roll cage, engine), except 400 lbs lighter(can’t lower it anymore because of its spaceship like roll cage weighs a lot - hence, why it has a window net) and lights. Also, running the same horsepower as the current Cup car. (Based on the tapered spacer that Nascar mandates). That same engine can easily produce 950-1000 hp, but they want to be as true as possible to what actually runs in the US. Innovative compared to other racing series because they use world class athletes as pit crew members that can manually pit a car faster than significantly more advanced tech used in WEC. The other innovative part relates to the cars adaptability: ovals, dirt tracks, asphalt, super-speedways, short tracks, street courses, road course, and now endurance racing. Then there’s the relationship between WEC/FIA and IMSA, which just happens to be owned by NASCAR. Basically, it’s a publicity stunt, but in a good way for which all racing fans will marvel and enjoy. And who knows, it may open up avenues to see NASCAR more prominent in endurance racing.

[@alexjenner1108]

seem like an innovative way to get the US TV audience watching Le Mans. Just wait for the Truck category next year.

[@Sephiroth5200]

@@alexjenner1108 Trucks would be stupid.

[@alexjenner1108]

@@Sephiroth5200 You're saying NASCAR isn't stupid? Did you ever see the Toyota Tacoma truck, Rod Millen raced at Pikes Peak? It probably wouldn't be any more of a mobile road block than the NASCAR thing.

[@joewegen8928]

I find it funny when you just say something so random like: „well that‘s monday sorted“

[@bucketslash11]

a video on BoP would be good

[@fqeagles21]

9X8 Is Cooler

[@BradleyG01]

"He also said that heroin is a good substitute for cake at 3 in the morning. Martin Haven is a legend" This killed me

[@jeremyrichards8327]

You said Group C cars are basically massive turbochargers on wheels then show the normally aspirated Jag not a Porsche 956/962 ha ha.

[@parrotantics2046]

And LMP2 will be slowly phased out of endurance racing...

[@abyss18]

i dont know what sort of tabloids you’ve been reading but that is completely not true. it will remain the premier class of the ELMS and AsLMS as well as staying a part of the IMSA Sportscar Championship in the USA, and LMP2 will also have a minimum of 15 reserved spots at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2026 will also see the start of a new generation of LMP2 machinery.

[@Vorgaloth]

I wish a small group of billionaires got together for their passion for racing and created a modern form of Group C. Call it Group C+ or Group X 😆. The historic races are awesome but they're not elite drivers in their prime pushing historic cars to their limits. Imagine the IMSA GTP and FIA Group C cars racing together. I watched the Toyota Eagle MKIII and Mazda RX-972P race at Long Beach last year. Incredible machines.

[@thenoobdestroyer100]

hypercar is incredible ive not seen this many manufacturers on a grid outside of f1 like ever its insane and fantanstic

[@AidanMillward]

BTCC had 10 manufacturer teams on the grid at one point.

[@zephr-wrkshp]

But wait, LMGTP and LMP2 are unrelated to each other! LMGTP is just evolved LMGT1 class for silhouette-type cars (mostly). Since year 2000 LMP900 and LMP675 were introduced. After 2004 new naming system was introduced. LMP900 became LMP1, LMP675 became LMP2 (same with GT cars - LMGTS to LMGT1 and LMGT to LMGT2). Yes, some LMP2 chassis made it to the LMP1 class with just bigger and stronger engines but this doesn't make them LMP1's child (Similiar case to 993 GT2's that jumped into GT1 class with Evo modification). Bentley's successful LMGTP vehicle (old Audi GTP chassis with new Audi LMP parts) was the first sign of future LMP1 looks.

[@Holden308]

Fun Fact: Despite Australia's rich motorsport history on 2, 3 and 4 wheels, only 4 Aussie drivers have won Le Mans outright since 1923. Bernard Rubin - 1928 in a Bentley 4½ Litre (w/ Bentley director Woolf Barnato) Vern Schuppan - 1983 in a Porsche 956 (w/ Al Holbert and Hurley Heywood) Geoff Brabham - 1993 in a Peugeot 905 Evo 1B (w/ Éric Hélary and Christophe Bouchut) David Brabham - 2009 in a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP (w/ Marc Gené and Alexander Wurz) All 4 were factory drivers in their respective races.

[@AidanMillward]

David Brabham also won in class in a C4 XJ220 with David Coulthard but it was disqualified for not having a catalytic converter on it.

[@JacksRacingProjects]

whats hilarious about the lmp1 era, is the rebellion and SMP br1 were faster than any audi or porsche to run on the current layout.

[@gliderfs621]

In fact, it was more the Volkswagen endurance cup for years…

[@Christoffski]

I'm glad the top field were in Hypercars and NOT LMP1'S this year - Lowest standard of driving I've ever seen at Le Mans. GT level drivers racing like they can press rewind.

[@woopimagpie]

I guess if you were an Audi fan then LMP1 was a great time in endurance racing. For the rest, well, at least we got to marvel at how ridiculous the cars were. For me, I've always had more interest in the GT categories at LeMans. The spaceships at the front were/are technical marvels, but somehow just not as interesting. That's just me though.

[@jdbb3gotskills]

I hope you talk about Nascar Garage 56 they finished the race! And they were faster than some GTE cars

[@timford3599]

I think that against the odds (this being their first outing in a 24 hour endurance race, at Le Mans no less) the G56 ZL7 NASCAR Camaro did a more than respectable job. They were consistently running in 28th place overall when they lost an hour, or so due to transmission problems requiring a complete gear box R & R which (unfortunately) relegated Car 24 back to 39th place at the finish. Let it be known however, that while they were running they were quite a match for the entries in LMGTE Class. The Hendricks Team with Chad Knaus as Team Director did a very commendable job. Plus, they were quite the crowd favorite with that Big NASCAR V8 roaring their way around Circuit Le Sarthe! All in all a very tight and entertaining race with the show that the LMPE Class Cars put on right down to the wire! Congrats to Ferrari Team Car #51 for 1st place overall and the CGR Cadillac Car #2 finishing on the podium in 3rd place overall.

[@fusionsniping3741]

Gtd is just gt3 but in imsa because they run daytona, all gt3's are the same mostly across championships, bop can be different when going between championships though

[@drphilgarner]

Forty grand from the bird feedah!

[@karmo0]

Why are so many motorsport's commentators called Martin???

[@TheNecromancer6666]

Hybrid and naturally aspirated engine does not exclude each other. If the ICE Part of your Hybrid doesn't have a Turbo or supercharger, its still a naturally aspirated engine, just part of a Hybrid.

[@666willis666]

the molasn stright is like endernces en roughe

[@Trek001]

Name a better combo...? Albert and Costello

[@TheNecromancer6666]

I miss them... the Hybrids most of all, but also the 5,5 Diesels. Hypercars are "nice" but they are not the same as These glorious beasts.

[@photodave219]

So….. just an observation. Man they sure change regulations constantly…. I understand why it was primarily only one or two manufacturers involved; very few manufacturers are going to want to invest or have the budget to have to change what they’re doing every other year.

[@AidanMillward]

They kept lobbing stuff at the wall until it stuck I think.

[@TonySpike]

"France and Striking ..name a better combo" NHS and Striking? British Rail and Striking? National Coal Board and Striking? ...Matt Le Tissier and Striking? Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer? Rush and Fowler? Pie and Peas? Im sorry what was the question again?

[@Lego_Huracan_SuperTrofeo]

Germans and World wars 😂

[@DavidCaudry]

Peugeot gonna pull out in less than 6 months

[@ZontarDow]

I'm not so sure how accurate the claims of budgets reaching 200 million are given that was from one year that Audi built a new wind tunnel. I also think that besides costing less Hypercar probably has a lot more interest due to the fact you can run them in both WEC and IMSA meaning there's a larger pool of privateers willing to buy and more audiences willing to watch given Le Mans may be at the top but the Big 4 in IMSA get more attendance and viewership then just about anything else, with 3 of the races consistently selling out.

[@LeadFarmer1597]

I'm going to really miss the LMP1 and GTE era. LMH and GT3 just doesn't hit the same.

[@Frostfly]

yeah, cuz a LOT more competition is bad. I think i sprained my eyes rolling them.

[@mikehipperson]

Hey, don't knock GT3! In today's 2nd LMP3/GT3 race at La Sarthe, former motorcycle world champion, Valentino Rossi came from behind to win the GT3 class!

[@LeadFarmer1597]

@@Frostfly I just mean the cars themselves, chill out dude

[@187alan]

Le Mans BABY

[@jeremybenassi5014]

For the algorithm!

[@WindedPrawn]

Can anyone find the video of when Martin Haven said "Heroin was a good alternative for cake" at 3am in the morning?

[@fineraftmovies]

And then Ferrari won the Le Mans 100. After 58 years. Happy Aidan noises intensifying

[@davidporeilly1]

Mulsanne or Hunaudiers? Just asking:)

[@abyss18]

depends what language you speak

[@blankfiile]

the whole eot applied to non hybrids from 2018 on has been massively misunderstood. lmp1 non hybrid on paper was FASTER than hybrid, just no manufacturer could build a car under those rules and the customer teams didnt have the money required to compete against toyota. one year there was a rule that allowed the hybrid car to go one lap longer on fuel, that is true but that is the only advantage they ever got. the non hybrid rules that year had a gigantic fuel flow advantage to the hybrids, a team that had the resources would have beaten toyota.

[@K9RacingAndStuff]

I recall 2016 at Fuji when one of the R18s had a broken front MGU, and before being forced to retire by the ACO due to being out of homologation (IIRC Audi deliberately broke something in the driveshaft during a pitstop so the MGU didn't burn itself), and it was still lapping quicker than the Rebellion R-Ones. This in spite of probably being down about 100 horsepower to them from the engine and asking way more from the front brakes.

[@blankfiile]

@@K9RacingAndStuff on paper. Remove that audi mgu completely, add engine power, remove ballast and beef up brakes and see what would have happened. The privateers just didn't have the budget to make a car that fast

[@crpearson2004]

*Cancelled 9 years for WW2