Porsche, Toyota differ on aero kits for opener

Toyota Gazoo Racing and Porsche LMP1 Team will run different aerodynamic packages on their LMP1 Hybrid prototypes at the opening round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship this weekend at Silverstone. Toyota will run its pair of TS050s in their high-downforce configuration, while Porsche will debut its low-downforce aero kit for its 919 Hybrids.

This season the LMP1 manufacturers are only allowed to develop and use two aero kits on their LMP1 cars during the season. Before, the teams could update their cars three times per year.

"We have chosen to use our high-downforce aerodynamic package for Silverstone because, based on our simulations and previous experience, this is more suited to the characteristics of the circuit," Toyota Gazoo Racing president Tashio Sato told RACER.

"Our low-downforce Le Mans package is more focused on top speed, so we don't believe it is appropriate for a fast, high-corner density, sweeping circuit like Silverstone."

Porsche, meanwhile, feels that the advantage gained in the long run by continuing to develop its low-drag kit in the opening race will outweigh the disadvantage it will hand the team in pure performance at Silverstone, which doesn't favor low-downforce car set-ups.

"We have managed our resources and will focus on developing and testing our Le Mans aerodynamics until the third race of the season is over," said Porsche LMP1 boss Andreas Seidl. "This means low downforce for the benefit of low drag and this unavoidably will be a disadvantage in Silverstone.

"After the Le Mans 24 Hours in June we will consequently arm the 919 with more downforce for the remaining championship rounds."

As part of its extensive testing program in the offseason, Porsche also confirmed today that like Toyota it has completed a 30-hour test with its new updated 919 Hybrids to ensure that its challenger is both fast and reliable.

"With regards to reliability, we have been fine at our 30-hour test in Paul Ricard as well as at the Prologue in Monza," Seidl added. "We feel well prepared for the first six-hour race. However, with regards to lap times, Silverstone is going to be difficult."