WEC Prologue

[sirtyro]

I thought I'd put together some bits from the WEC Prologue which has just finished at Paul Ricard.

OVERALL TIMES TOP 5:

LMP1
Porsche #1 1:37.445
Porsche #2 1:37.487
Toyota #5 1:38.273
Audi #7 1:38.273
Rebellion #13 1:41.733

LMP2
Signatech Alpine 1:46.974
Strakka Racing 1:46.976
G-Drive Racing 1:47.024
Maxi DC Alpine 1:47.340
Manor 1:47.696

LMGTE Pro
AF Corse Ferrari 1:57.808
AF Corse Ferrari 1:58.083
Chip Ganassi Ford 1:58.525
Chip Ganassi Ford 1:58.697
AMR Aston Martin 2:00.298

LMGTE Am
Larbre Competition Corvette 1:58.268
Gulf Racing Porsche 1:58.818
AF Corse Ferrari 1:59.113
KCMG Porsche 2:00.373
Abu Dhabi-Proton Porsche 2:00.503

LMP1 News
Porsche are clearly still the favourites and the team to beat for 2016. Great to see that Toyota have made a big step forward, but didn't have the pace to over take the Porsche on the time sheets. Audi struggled with broken suspension and had to change chassis for the second day. As with every year at the Prologue and in motorsport testing in general, we don't know what programs teams were running and how much they were sandbagging, but it looks like Audi and Toyota this year will be keeping Porsche honest.

After ACO/WEC released the 2018 LMP1 regulations rumours circulate the paddock that Peugeot and BMW are looking at LMP1 programs, although the later may now not as they have announced a Formula E entry.

LMP2 News
More new entries then ever in a class that a few years ago looked like it was going to end. Manor racing showed real class with a #JB17 on the rear fin and whilst the rest of the car might look a little underwhelming, more sponsors are on the way. The Signatech Alpine's lead the way and whilst the chassis is called the A460, it is just a rebadged Oreca 05. Strakka put in an impressive session after switching to the Gibson half way through last year and to Dunlop tyres they have said the now understand the car a lot more and will be serious contenders for this year. They have also announced new sponsors Dell & Xero accounting.

LMGTE Pro
AF Corse led the way in the new Ferrari 488 GTE. For me the big news in this class is the new Ford GT car with Chip Ganassi Racing. The car looks stunning and performed well on track. The worry for British fans will be the lack of pace from the Aston Martin Vantage. AMR say they have new aero and the car is faster then last year. I hope they can develop this further and become real contenders.

LMGTE Am
This year we are missing 'McDreamy' Patrick Dempsey although his team still continues to race and there are hopes he will return in 2017. Great to see the Corvette actually post a quicker time then some of the GTE Pro cars and I wish that a factory effort by Corvette for the entire WEC would happen. KCMG have moved from LMP2 to this class this year, after a good win at Le Mans, the team was penalised frequently by WEC for things which didn't on the surface appear to be the teams fault. This may have lead them to move to this class. KCMG did sell their spare unused LMP2 car to Manor, which is why they will run 2 cars in WEC but only 1 at Le Mans as KCMG might use it themselves in that class.

Overall I'm excited for what should be another great season. LMP1 cars are using 20% less fuel than F1 and don't seem to be any slower than last years times. I've put a few pictures to show everybody the new liveries and cars.

Sources:
DailySportsCar.com

[FredericRobinson]

Hope Strakka can challenge after a lean few years

[Alex Langheck]

Agree with the OP about the lack of a WEC programme by Corvette....they should be in the WEC. But of course they'll turn up at Le Mans.....