The 2021 WEC thread.

[VladD]

The prologue (testing) is coming up at Spa. It looks like two sessions on Monday (09:00 - 11:00 and 13:00 - 16:55) and two sessions on Tuesday (08:05 - 11:00 and 13:00 - 16:00), according to the WEC app.

For some reason the WEC countdown timer is counting down to 23:00 on Sunday, so I'm not sure what's supposed to be happening then.

Not sure if any of it will be on TV or streamed. Maybe Radio Le Mans will be doing coverage. I'll do some more research tomorrow.

[Truckosaurus]

There is a WEC Preview listed on the RLM site for the 26th so that might contain some coverage.

I doubt there would be any proper video coverage maybe a few PR clips on the WEC site.

[FredericRobinson]

The WEC isn't showing on the BT sport app as something they're showing this year, might have to cough up for a season pass on the WEC app

[FredericRobinson]

Eurosport are scheduled to have the first 2 and last 2 hours, for what a Eurosport schedule is worth

[Truckosaurus]

It is a shame they can't sell the rights to a broadcaster who will commit to actually showing the whole race.

[VladD]

In practice 1 the Hypercars are slower than the LMP2s.

United Autosports: LM P2: 2:04.968
Toyota Gazoo Racing: Hypercar: 2:06.896

The Alpine Hypercar set a time but the second Toyota didn't.

Edited by VladD on Monday 26th April 10:58

[Truckosaurus]

The Hypercars, pictured earlier:

[VladD]

FredericRobinson said:

Eurosport are scheduled to have the first 2 and last 2 hours, for what a Eurosport schedule is worth

FIA WEC said:

Eurosport will televise qualifying as well as well as the race’s first two hours and closing two hours live across Europe. Moreover, the full race will be live on Eurosport Player.

..so that's good news if you have Eurosport Player, which I have.

[Truckosaurus]

5.49€ for the Pay Per View via the FIA WEC website.

[FredericRobinson]

VladD said:

..so that's good news if you have Eurosport Player, which I have.

I assume Eurosport only show parts to push people towards subscribing to the player. WEC app for me unless there's a change with BT sports

[Fishlegs]

The app is a great way to view. No adverts, reasonably priced, and high quality stream. Cast it to your TV and it still looks good at 4k.

It's so good I assumed I could do the same on more popular series, such as F1 and Moto GP. Errr, no. F1 don't want you doing this at all, and MotoGP does have an app, but charges £170+ per season!

I think the WEC app should be applauded for being usable and good value.

[VladD]

Fishlegs said:

The app is a great way to view. No adverts, reasonably priced, and high quality stream. Cast it to your TV and it still looks good at 4k.

It's so good I assumed I could do the same on more popular series, such as F1 and Moto GP. Errr, no. F1 don't want you doing this at all, and MotoGP does have an app, but charges £170+ per season!

I think the WEC app should be applauded for being usable and good value.

Eurosport Player also has an advert free stream. I got an annual subscription for £25 a while ago. As well as WEC you also get a load of other content.

I do like the WEC app though, I had it last year.

[BraveSirRobin]

VladD said:

In practice 1 the Hypercars are slower than the LMP2s.

United Autosports: LM P2: 2:04.968
Toyota Gazoo Racing: Hypercar: 2:06.896

The Alpine Hypercar set a time but the second Toyota didn't.

Edited by VladD on Monday 26th April 10:58

Oh dear - that wasn't supposed to happen, was it?
Does this mean another round of performance cuts for LMP2s? It will be quicker to walk round soon!

[VladD]

BraveSirRobin said:

VladD said:

In practice 1 the Hypercars are slower than the LMP2s.

United Autosports: LM P2: 2:04.968
Toyota Gazoo Racing: Hypercar: 2:06.896

The Alpine Hypercar set a time but the second Toyota didn't.

Edited by VladD on Monday 26th April 10:58

Oh dear - that wasn't supposed to happen, was it?
Does this mean another round of performance cuts for LMP2s? It will be quicker to walk round soon!

A Hypercar was on top by the end of Practice 4, but it was tight to the LMP2s. Top 5:

8 - Toyota Gazoo Racing - 2:04.669 (H)
22 - United Autosports - 2:04.874 (LMP2)
36 - Alpine Elf Matmut - 2:05.339 (H)
7 - Toyota Gazoo Racing - 2:05.624 (H)
24 - PR1 Motorsports - 2:05.958 (LMP2)

[VladD]

It'll be interesting to see how often they have to pit, to see if the Hypercars have a distinct advantage in the race. It'll also be interesting to see how they compare in a straight line. Last year on long straights the LMP2s were catching the hybrid LMP1s due to having a higher top speed. Also, as the Alpine is a "grandfathered" LMP1 rather than a genuine Hypercar, it may have a higher top speed than the Toyotas too, but will probably lose out on acceleration to the AWD and electric power of the Toyotas.

[strudel]

Toyota #8 onboard:


That is not LMP1 speed.

I wish I'd checked eurosport have the feed before I coughed up for the WEC app, now I've got both

I'm a bit surprised WEC doesn't get more attention on PH, but then the thread is hidden away. I prefer it to F1.

Edited by strudel on Friday 30th April 14:02

[Fishlegs]

That's heartbreaking to watch.

So much excitement for a new dawn, and just so slow. I'd expect a bit of sandbagging, but not so much that you have to time your overtake on GT cars instead of just driving round the outside of them.

[VladD]

strudel said:

I'm a bit surprised WEC doesn't get more attention on PH, but then the thread is hidden away. I prefer it to F1.

I did ask PH if they might consider creating a WEC forum and putting this thread in it, but got nothing back. I like WEC and F1, but as you say, F1 gets huge coverage on PH, but WEC virtually nothing.

[strudel]

A 911 viewpoint of the Toyota passing about 40 seconds in:


The hypercars just don't have the cornering speed of LMP1.

Still I'm willing to give them a chance.

Edited by strudel on Friday 30th April 14:05

[outnumbered]

The Programme guide on Virgin Media is wrong for tomorrow as it doesn't mention any WEC coverage. But the ES website confirms the first and last 2 hours are on Eurosport 2.