WEC - Close racing at it's best. Or was it?
Sunday just gone I decided to forgo the F1 and watch the first round of the 2015 World Endurance Championship. And I am glad I did, the race had just about everything, action throughout the classes, not too many stoppages (full course yellow periods - which I feel worked extremely well) and drama at the front of the field - on more than one occation with the demise of the leading Porsche in the 2nd hour and the final moment steward decisions.
Now, lets concentrate on that for a few moments. The number 7 Audi, which won the race finished near as makes no difference 4 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed Porsche. However in the dying moments of the race and after 6 hours of racing the Audi was penalised for leaving the track while lapping an Aston Martin and gaining an advantage by keeping the chasing Porsche behind the slower GTE mobile.
The Audi was already a good lap ahead of the chasing cars before it made it's final "spalsh n dash" pit stop and, around 45 secs ahead before entering the pits to do the requsted stop and go penalty, rejoining around 10 secs ahead of the Porsche with 10 mins remaining, dropping to 4 at the flag.
In reality that is a 45 sec victory, half a lap or so. Now let's also remember that the number 7 Audi had an issue off the line and dropped to the middle of the LMP2 pack at the start, working back to the 'P1 pack after a few laps.
This car has already made up probably 10 secs in the early stages and then over the rest of the race worked to the front and pulled out best part of a lap prior to the final pit stop.
The second Audi ran into issues so not really comparible. This time, Spa will tell another story but I expect the two (the third Audi will be running in Le Mans trim) Audis to walk it, with the Toyota and Porsches very close for the final (barring Ingolstat issues) podium position.
Further down the field it should be an interesting championship, G Drive, ESM and Strakka will fight for the LMP2 crown, as will Aston, Ferrari and Porsche in the GTE classes however, at the front I feel - based on Silverstone pace Audi will dominate.
WEC, don't get me wrong I was very impressed, glued to the race which seemed not like 6 hours, more like a GP distance and, I do think it is going to be a great championship but not a close one at the front.
It'll be interesting to see where Nissan are when they join the ranks later this year.
Endurance racing really is on the up.
Now, lets concentrate on that for a few moments. The number 7 Audi, which won the race finished near as makes no difference 4 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed Porsche. However in the dying moments of the race and after 6 hours of racing the Audi was penalised for leaving the track while lapping an Aston Martin and gaining an advantage by keeping the chasing Porsche behind the slower GTE mobile.
The Audi was already a good lap ahead of the chasing cars before it made it's final "spalsh n dash" pit stop and, around 45 secs ahead before entering the pits to do the requsted stop and go penalty, rejoining around 10 secs ahead of the Porsche with 10 mins remaining, dropping to 4 at the flag.
In reality that is a 45 sec victory, half a lap or so. Now let's also remember that the number 7 Audi had an issue off the line and dropped to the middle of the LMP2 pack at the start, working back to the 'P1 pack after a few laps.
This car has already made up probably 10 secs in the early stages and then over the rest of the race worked to the front and pulled out best part of a lap prior to the final pit stop.
The second Audi ran into issues so not really comparible. This time, Spa will tell another story but I expect the two (the third Audi will be running in Le Mans trim) Audis to walk it, with the Toyota and Porsches very close for the final (barring Ingolstat issues) podium position.
Further down the field it should be an interesting championship, G Drive, ESM and Strakka will fight for the LMP2 crown, as will Aston, Ferrari and Porsche in the GTE classes however, at the front I feel - based on Silverstone pace Audi will dominate.
WEC, don't get me wrong I was very impressed, glued to the race which seemed not like 6 hours, more like a GP distance and, I do think it is going to be a great championship but not a close one at the front.
It'll be interesting to see where Nissan are when they join the ranks later this year.
Endurance racing really is on the up.
Comments
Post a Comment