Jenson Button wins Super GT title in his rookie year

[Option or Prime]

Great to see that Jenson Button made the right decision and gets a title to add to his F1 WDC.

https://www.motorsport.com/supergt/news ... e/3211840/

Thats a stunning blue as well!



Source Motorsport.com

[hittheapex]

Fine achievement, several F1 drivers have tried touring cars and not won a race, let alone a title.

[f1madman]

Nice one JB

[sandman1347]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

[Exediron]

[mpls2]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

[Exediron]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

[jono794]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

No idea about relative pace, but Super GTs are absolutely purpose built racing cars. Have a look at the NSX tub.

[sandman1347]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

Not under the body panels they're not. Both Super GT and DTM are purpose built race cars with loads of downforce and super-light chassis.

[sandman1347]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

Super GT and DTM have essentially been the same spec since 2017

[Exediron]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

Not under the body panels they're not. Both Super GT and DTM are purpose built race cars with loads of downforce and super-light chassis.

Ah, so they're more of a NASCAR type thing - looks like a road car, isn't one. Thanks for the info!

Still won't be anywhere near an LMP, though.

[mpls2]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

[sandman1347]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

Not under the body panels they're not. Both Super GT and DTM are purpose built race cars with loads of downforce and super-light chassis.

Ah, so they're more of a NASCAR type thing - looks like a road car, isn't one. Thanks for the info!

Still won't be anywhere near an LMP, though.

No definitely not on par with an LMP.

[Exediron]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

He may think they're not far off - and for all I know that was true in 2015, when the article was written - but he's wrong. They're not a second off LMP1 at Fuji, as a look at the most recent race of each series held there will show:

WEC: https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/result/4594
Super GT: https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round2/3/gt500

The fastest non-hybrid LMP1 car qualified at a 1:24.359, compared to a Super GT pole of 1:27.904. That's about three and a half seconds, not one. In the race, the story was the same - fastest lap for a non-hybrid LMP1 was 1:26.568 - for Super GT, it was a 1:30.460, a gap of almost four seconds. They're not slow at all - in fact they are apparently roughly LMP2 speed - but they're not as quick as even non-hybrid LMP1 cars.

[Covalent]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

He may think they're not far off - and for all I know that was true in 2015, when the article was written - but he's wrong. They're not a second off LMP1 at Fuji, as a look at the most recent race of each series held there will show:

WEC: https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/result/4594
Super GT: https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round2/3/gt500

The fastest non-hybrid LMP1 car qualified at a 1:24.359, compared to a Super GT pole of 1:27.904. That's about three and a half seconds, not one. In the race, the story was the same - fastest lap for a non-hybrid LMP1 was 1:26.568 - for Super GT, it was a 1:30.460, a gap of almost four seconds. They're not slow at all - in fact they are apparently roughly LMP2 speed - but they're not as quick as even non-hybrid LMP1 cars.

TBF those are quite small differences relatively speaking when comparing different series.

[Covalent]

Well done JB!

[Exediron]

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

He may think they're not far off - and for all I know that was true in 2015, when the article was written - but he's wrong. They're not a second off LMP1 at Fuji, as a look at the most recent race of each series held there will show:

WEC: https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/result/4594
Super GT: https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round2/3/gt500

The fastest non-hybrid LMP1 car qualified at a 1:24.359, compared to a Super GT pole of 1:27.904. That's about three and a half seconds, not one. In the race, the story was the same - fastest lap for a non-hybrid LMP1 was 1:26.568 - for Super GT, it was a 1:30.460, a gap of almost four seconds. They're not slow at all - in fact they are apparently roughly LMP2 speed - but they're not as quick as even non-hybrid LMP1 cars.

TBF those are quite small differences relatively speaking when comparing different series.

I suppose that's a matter of opinion. I admit that I was a bit hasty in declaring that they were nowhere near LMP1 - clearly, they are actually a good deal nearer than I thought - but I wouldn't say that 3-4 seconds off qualifies for being 'as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars' as the poster I was responding to alleged. The statement would seem to me to imply a sort of genuine equivalence, meaning that the two would be competitive with one another. That clearly is not the case, at least based on 2018 speeds. Out of a 6 hour race, the LMP1 car would complete 249 laps, while the Super GT would complete only 238.

To put that in a Le Mans context, the Super GT car would be further from a non-hybrid LMP1 than said non-hybrid is from the Toyotas. And nobody except for Alonso would claim Toyota is just as fast as Rebellion.

[Covalent]

Yes agreed.

[F1 MERCENARY]

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

He may think they're not far off - and for all I know that was true in 2015, when the article was written - but he's wrong. They're not a second off LMP1 at Fuji, as a look at the most recent race of each series held there will show:

WEC: https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/result/4594
Super GT: https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round2/3/gt500

The fastest non-hybrid LMP1 car qualified at a 1:24.359, compared to a Super GT pole of 1:27.904. That's about three and a half seconds, not one. In the race, the story was the same - fastest lap for a non-hybrid LMP1 was 1:26.568 - for Super GT, it was a 1:30.460, a gap of almost four seconds. They're not slow at all - in fact they are apparently roughly LMP2 speed - but they're not as quick as even non-hybrid LMP1 cars.

TBF those are quite small differences relatively speaking when comparing different series.

I suppose that's a matter of opinion. I admit that I was a bit hasty in declaring that they were nowhere near LMP1 - clearly, they are actually a good deal nearer than I thought - but I wouldn't say that 3-4 seconds off qualifies for being 'as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars' as the poster I was responding to alleged. The statement would seem to me to imply a sort of genuine equivalence, meaning that the two would be competitive with one another. That clearly is not the case, at least based on 2018 speeds. Out of a 6 hour race, the LMP1 car would complete 249 laps, while the Super GT would complete only 238.

To put that in a Le Mans context, the Super GT car would be further from a non-hybrid LMP1 than said non-hybrid is from the Toyotas. And nobody except for Alonso would claim Toyota is just as fast as Rebellion.

Considering the amount of higher tech on all LMP cars, 3.5 seconds is factually not that far off. The Super GT cars are indeed purpose built but identical race machines with exteriors that closely match that of the said production model. The engines are twin turbo 4-bangers, and the rubber is also a step down from that used by LMP cars.

Given all those differences, being just 3.5 seconds slower than LMP cars is a seriously monumental feat.

[mpls2]

I always wished Super GT was run with just one driver per car like DTM. I'm pretty sure the cars are the same spec as DTM (basically the fastest tin tops short of LMPs). Anyway, congrats to JB. Not an easy title to win at all.

No, Super GT was always faster, was as fast as the fastest Non hybrid Le man proto type cars. but I'm not sure from when that Superr GT and DTM might be harmonsing technical regulations

I'm not sure where you're getting that from. Super GT cars are possibly the fastest GT cars in the world, but they're nowhere near a Le Mans prototype, not even an LMP2. They're still race-specced road cars at their core, not purpose-built racing machines.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/05/1 ... -step.html

He may think they're not far off - and for all I know that was true in 2015, when the article was written - but he's wrong. They're not a second off LMP1 at Fuji, as a look at the most recent race of each series held there will show:

WEC: https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/result/4594
Super GT: https://supergt.net/results/index/2018/Round2/3/gt500

The fastest non-hybrid LMP1 car qualified at a 1:24.359, compared to a Super GT pole of 1:27.904. That's about three and a half seconds, not one. In the race, the story was the same - fastest lap for a non-hybrid LMP1 was 1:26.568 - for Super GT, it was a 1:30.460, a gap of almost four seconds. They're not slow at all - in fact they are apparently roughly LMP2 speed - but they're not as quick as even non-hybrid LMP1 cars.

Your comparison is with cars in 2018, wasn't SuperGT det0tuned sometime in 2017 ( i dont know when)
You said it yourself, when the article was written and when he was interviewed, it was 2015

So lets look at 2015

WEC Non-Hybrid
Rebellion - 1.28.492

SuperGT
Lexus - 1.28.929

So who knows mybe in 2014 it was even closer. so factually he must have been correct when he gave that interview, and he may have been comparing 2014 cars.

Since then LMP1 cars have gotten much faster whilst SUpetGT cars have been de-tuned ( to harmonise with DTM regulations?)