Hypercar – Romain Dumas explains the limited role of free practice

For all practical purposes, let us specify in the preamble that the pilots engaged in WEC no longer have the right to comment on the leveling of the forces present via a performance balance decided ahead of the season by the ACO and the FIA.

Also, the interview which took place in the Portimao paddock with Romain Dumas had no polemical aim, but educational. Because even we, journalistsAutoweekly, we need to update our software. And do it with a world championEndurance and double winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is not futile.

Double winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and world Endurance champion, Romain Dumas' experience is invaluable. @Glickenhaus

Thus, Romain Dumas returned to the role which is now quite limited – but still useful! – free practice in Endurance, contrary to what one might think Stefano Domenicali in Formula 1. " During the winter, the ACO and the FIA ​​passed all the cars (Hypercars. Editor’s note) in the wind tunnel and put them all in a performance box: aero, engine, etc. From now on, the aero kit of all cars is frozen, we cannot adjust absolutely anything: inclination of the rear wing, gurney (square-shaped ruler to add load to the detriment of drag and therefore maximum speed. Editor's note) or others, nothing can move on the bodywork ».

The rear block of the Glickenhaus is now frozen. Impossible to touch the fin or anything else. @Autohebdo

In other words, to influence the level of load of the wing, it is therefore necessary to modulate the rear ride height... which is not without consequences on the behavior of the car, because the center of gravity is increased . It is then necessary to completely review the rear axle settings: damping (compression/relaxation), toe-in, camber, anti-roll, differential lock, etc. The impact on the lifespan of the tires is not neutral either, and it is So try not to miss it.

« I wouldn't say that the tests are any simpler. In our case yes because we do not have a hybrid system on our Glickenhaus, but we need to take more care of the “mechanical” part. This affects the brakes, the shock absorbers, the fuel consumption, the ease of driving, the behavior of the tires on the relays. With our competitors equipped with electrical systems, it's an endless train of adjustments and fine-tuning. The 4 hours of free practice, to be shared between three drivers, are not too much in their case », concludes Romain Dumas.

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