Nissan is preparing for its first on-track test since its troubled debut at last month’s Le Mans 24 Hour as an air of uncertainty hangs over the project.
The North American-based outfit led by Ben Bowlby is scheduled to take to the Circuit of the Americas in Texas next week to continue testing of its front-wheel-drive, front-engine GT-R LM NISMO machines.
Although it remains unclear whether the team intends to test its Hybrid system which was deactivated for the Le Mans debut, doubt has now been cast over the two-year LMP1 program.
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s powerful global boss, raised questions publicly several weeks ago by saying “we must reassess the strategy.”
“Nissan has always been associated with innovation,” Ghosn said.
“We made an attempt that did not prove fruitful. We must reassess the strategy.
“We wanted to be different and competitive but we’ve only been different.”
Bowlby has not clarified whether the team intends to switch on its Hybrid system for the remainder of the World Endurance Championship season.
The Energy Recovery System has proved a major stumbling block for the team that built its machines to accommodate an 8 mega joule unit.
“Sometimes innovation hurts but the process is fascinating for those who are interested in this kind of thing,” Bowlby told media at Le Mans.
“At the moment with the technology readiness level of the ERS system, we had to concede to only connect to the front of the car.”
Nissan’s heavily compromised debut at Le Mans saw only one of its three runners take the chequered flag, although the #22 of Harry Tincknell, Michael Krumm and Alex Buncombe was not classified as a finisher.
Despite finding big chunks of time across the Le Mans campaign, Tincknell set the fastest lap of the Nissan contingent with a 3:35.88s which remained almost 20s off the best lap produced during the 395 laps turned in the 24 hour marathon.
Bowlby, though, is convinced his left-field design will bear fruit in future.
“We are completely convinced that we are doing something that will produce great results,” he told media last month.
“So right now we are just full power ahead to acheive our expected performance in the future.
“One of the nice things about this group of people is that there is no sacred cow so to speak.
“We will do whatever it takes.”
The World Endurance Championship will return with the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring from August 28-30.
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