With the resumption of hostilities in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) this weekend at Silverstone a small fraction of endurance racing’s finest dropped in to London bringing the spectacle of Le Mans to the foot of the London Eye.
With the capital city in its mid-Olympic pomp a selection of British teams and drivers gathered by the Thames, much to the delight of passers-by who delighted in a chance to get a rare up close glimpse of the cars on show – Aston Martin Racing’s GTE Pro Vantage, Strakka Racing’s LMP1 petrol challenger and the Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan – and the likes of Martin Brundle, Allan McNish and a healing Anthony Davidson.
Though not racing this weekend – Davidson was never intended to be part of the Toyota team for Silverstone, even before his dramatic exit from the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the Englishman represented one side of what promises to be an exciting race with Audi and Toyota both back in action after the tantalising racing in the opening quarter of the race at Le Mans, before incident and accident got the better of the two TS030 Hybrids.
McNish observes from other side of the divide at the top of LMP1; “It’s always exciting to be back racing in the UK and at Silverstone, especially this year with us leading the WEC right now. We’re aiming to build on that this weekend, but the competition is going to be tight – not just internally within Audi, but also with Toyota. I’m sure after Le Mans they’ll be buoyant and keen to have a good race.”
Aston Martin Racing, represented by Darren Turner alongside the GTE-Pro car, are set to enter a trio of cars into the race, a pair of GTE Am cars joining Turner’s Pro entry for the team’s home race. It is a home race too for Strakka Racing, aiming to rebound from a frustrating Le Mans at the track only a stone’s throw from the team’s base.
The Checkered Flag will have a full preview of the event ahead of the weekend, and live coverage throughout the entire six hour race on Sunday.
