LMP1 grid starts to rise for FIA WEC Super Season


The exits of Audi last year and soon of Porsche from the LMP1 grid in the FIA World Endurance Championship left quite a big hole in the class which was thought to be irreplaceable as Toyota Gazoo Racing will be the only one to fly the hybrid flag next year, but two names announced this week keep the good numbers in the class and also show how the tide changed in favor of the privateers.

DragonSpeed announced that will make the leap to the top class of sportscar racing after some good years in GT3 racing and the last two seasons in the LMP2 class, seeing the transition of regulations in the lower prototype class and which also meant a complete change of focus for the American team, mostly focused on Europe with occasional visits back home in the United States.

Along with some good results recently they supported G-Drive Racing in their quest for the LMP2 trophy in the current European Le Mans Series season, but the team’s main Oreca 07 has something to celebrate in the podium at the 4 Hours of Monza. The team is working on partners for the new program and they also have to choose the chassis and engine combo for 2018/2019, with even Oreca’s rumored LMP1 car being an option. Henrik Hedman and Ben Hanley are already confirmed for the effort, while a third driver will be announced soon.


The other announcement of the week was this Wednesday (01) and more concrete in terms of equipment, as Manor extends the partnership with TRS to the LMP1 class, confirming that the new Ginetta LMP1 machine was the choice, but according with Sportscar365, the engine choice remains unknown.

Like the case of DragonSpeed, Manor jumped into the LMP2 class in 2016 and saw the regulation changes on track, with Oreca as their choice. Although not fighting for titles, the team shown good progress from the debut season in FIA WEC, which means they can be championship contenders in the immediate future as their LMP2 program stays in place for the Super Season.

The team confirmed only a single Ginetta for LMP1 with a second car being an unlikely possibility, and with part of the staff moving to the LMP1 program, their driver lineup may also be based on what they have at home now, with names like Jean-Éric Vergné and Vitaly Petrov in the list, while Simon Trummer should be an important part due to his previous experience with ByKolles.

Considering Manor and DragonSpeed bring a car each, they join SMP Racing with their pair of BR Engineering BR1 machines and a CLM P1/01 from ByKolles, putting privateer numbers in LMP1 to five cars, while there are still undisclosed customers from the Ginetta LMP1 that can boost the grid.

PHOTOS: Oreca, Manor

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