|
In keeping with the original post of this thread being a website type round up post, here's a couple of race reports. One for LMP, one for GTE. Note that these have not been proof read, or edited (my partner is a professional editor...she hasn't taken her read pen to these yet!). Feedback, ideas etc are welcome.
Porsche dominates the Nürburgring
Porsche took a dominant 1-2 win at the 6 Hours of Nürburgring, extending their championship lead over the #8 Toyota. Bernhard crossed the line as the winner, just 1.6 seconds ahead of Andre Lotterer.
Toyota’s race got off on the wrong foot when the #8 slowed dramatically on the formation lap. Sebastien Buemi brought the car back to the pits where it was diagnosed as fuel pump failure. An impressive change by the Toyota crew saw the car rejoin losing just 5 laps, but any challenge for the podium was already lost.
Toyota lead the opening 90 minutes, with Kobayashi managing to keep both Porsches at bay. After the second round of pit stops the tide of the race turned, with Porsche passing the Toyota on track before stretching their lead. Jose Maria Lopez struggled to double-stint the Michelin tyres to the same affect as the Porsches, and slid to 50 seconds back. The time lost was never regained and Porsche strengthened its grip on the race.
Andre Lotterer rediscovered his mojo and pulled away at the front in the #1 Porsche, extending the gap to over 10 seconds. Ultimately a late call by the Porsche pit wall decided the race winner. Lotterer was held an additional 20 seconds in the pits, allowing Bernhard to cruise to the victory without the drama of swapping the cars on track.
The Mighty 38 of Jackie Chan DC Racing took a third victory of the year in LMP2, in similarly dominant fashion. The Jota-Sport run Oreca 07 took the lead from the Rebellions and never looked under threat for the remainder of the race.
Senna, Canal and Albuquerque brought the #31 Rebellion home in second, whilst a Nico Lapierre late race charge gave Signatech Alpine its first podium of the year.
After having its pole position lapped removed for a technical violation, G-Drive racing started from the back of the grid and had to serve a further 3 minute stop and go penalty after Rusinov’s incident at Le Mans. The team managed an impressive come back as substitute driver Ben Hanley claimed 6th in LMP, after overtaking ex-F1 star Petrov in the final laps.
The #4 ByKolles Racing ENSO CLM P1/01 NISMO managed to finish the race 14th overall. The car suffered vibration problems all weekend and was unable to diagnose the root cause. The team is unlikely to continue the remainder of the WEC season, instead choosing to concentrate on the 2018 car.
Pier Guide and Calado win at the Nurburgring
Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado won in dominant fashion at the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring. The #51 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE crossed the line 50 seconds ahead of the Porsche 911 RSRs, who take their best finish of the year for the new car.
The first round of the “Auto BoP” was in place for this race, and in the opening laps it appeared to have done its job. Aston Martin took the lead off the line and a train of GTE cars formed behind it, unable to pull off a pass. As the Aston Martin challenge tapered off, the Porsche 911 RSRs emerged at the front and stretched their legs, leaving the Astons to fend off the chasing Ford GTs.
Starting down in 7th, Pier Guidi and Calado managed the tyres better than the competition through the double stints, allowing them to extend the gap whilst other teams struggled. Around the halfway point, the Ferrari strategy was playing out as the #51 made its way to the lead and pulled away.
Ford and Aston Martin were left fighting over the lower spots, with Daniel Serra attempting to hold both blue ovals behind. Priaulx and Pla would eventually make their way through, but not without incident. Pla, growing frustrated, short-cutted the Schumacher S to take the position. Race Director Eduardo Freitas quickly intervened, ordering the Frenchman to give the position back. In doing so, Priaulx took advantage of the opportunity and nipped by his team-mate, relegating Pla a further spot. The Fords would both clear Serra a couple of laps later.
#77 Dempsey-Proton Porsche was victorious in GTE-Am, fending off a late race charge by Molinain the #61 Spirit of the Race Ferrari. It was Ried’s first win since 2012, and the first victory for co-drivers Dienst and Cairoli.
|