Porsche LMP1 Team could not put together the win they wanted in their final race, with Toyota Gazoo Racing securing their fifth win of the season. Race winners of LMP2 and GTE Am took class championship victories whilst Ferrari did the triple in GTE Pro.
SMP Racing gave the World Endurance Championship its first look at the future of LMP1 by revealing the LMP1 BR1 that will take part in the 2018/19 season on Friday evening.
For the final qualifying session of the 2017 World Endurance Championship, Porsche LMP1 Team end their four year campaign with a pole position as they stole it from Toyota’s grasp in the last moments of the session.
Next year’s entry list for the first winter season of the World Endurance Championship is starting to take shape, with Clearwater Racing confirming they will submit for entry in the 2018/19 season.
Ahead of qualifying, Porsche LMP1 team took their first one-two of the weekend. Jackie Chan DC Racing also came through on the pace, dominating the top of LMP2. Ferrari had the edge in the GTE classes, with AF Corse and Clearwater Racing taking the lead in their respective classes.
Toyota Gazoo Racing, Vaillante Rebellion and Aston Martin Racing locked out the top two spots of their respective classes in the second practice session whilst Ferrari had a one-two in Am.
Toyota lead a one-two at the beginning of practice, but it’s close between Porsche and them. A delayed session that lasted 120 minutes at chequered flag suggested that the racing should be close in the last race of the season in all classes.
The last race of the season has arrived. With three of the eight championships already settled, it’s all to play for in the last 6-hour event of the year.
With Porsche claiming both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ World Endurance Championships, and Ferrari taking home the GT Manufacturer’s title, the 6 Hours of Shanghai presented a race that was not to be missed.
Toyota Gazoo Racing have taken their second victory in a row this morning as the 6 Hours of Shanghai came to an end, but there was nothing they could do to stop Porsche claiming their third consecutive Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.
For the first time in four races, Toyota Gazoo Racing have taken pole position. Vaillante Rebellion extend their championship campaign with pole for the #31. Aston Martin take double pole in the GTE classes, with the Am #98 now on equal points for the lead of the championship.
Toyota Gazoo Racing remain to have the upper hand on Porsche as they claim a one-two in the second practice session. Vaillante Rebellion continued to top the LMP2 class whilst AF Corse returned back on the pace.
As Porsche try to clinch the 2017 World Endurance Championships, Toyota Gazoo Racing are doing all they can to prevent it from happening. Vaillante Rebellion topped LMP2, whilst Olivier Pla and Stefan Mucke give hope to Ford in Pro.
Ahead of Fernando Alonso’s 2018 Rolex Daytona 24 Hours appearance, his ex-Formula One team mate Giancarlo Fisichella has stated that it will only teach the Spaniard so much in his preparations to take on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Perrinn have changed their focus to an all-electric Le Mans challenger after ambitions to make a 2018 LMP1-privateer car have been forced to stop.
For the first time since Audi Sport departed the World Endurance Championship in 2015, Loic Duval will return to the endurance grid racing for G-Drive in the LMP2 class.
As the 2017 World Endurance Championship comes closer to it’s conclusion, some of the 2017 championships could be wrapped up by the end of the weekend.
