This series never disappoint, perhaps because it is not killed by the competitive spirit of past generations, and maybe because there are fighting for the victory of adult men who still remember, what was the real motor racing.
One way or another, but the steps WEC has always collected a huge audience — both in the stands and in the screens. This time the famous Nurburgring rostrum gathered 58,000 spectators — an impressive number, considering that in the same weekend in Hungary Formula 1 took place.
However, it is important to all: and charisma of the German track, and the coolest performance teams, and spectacular, intense fight on the track. Well, as a miss?
Stage Cup in Germany was the fourth in a row since the beginning of the season and first since Le Mans. It is clear that the events that took place in France, could not affect the «health» and the mood of the team, especially in the senior category LMP1.
If you remember, the last Le Mans has given us the most unexpected ending of all possible options. Toyota was in the lead until the last lap at the last stop on the start-finish line, literally giving Porsche victory. The Porsche, has said goodbye to the top step of the podium, we were happy enough that shared victory champagne with a Japanese manufacturer, and Audi was at that time virtually uncompetitive, and the third place for her was a huge surprise.
Naturally, a month later, everyone expected that Toyota will try to still take her, and prepared for a tough battle, but Toyota could not... a total flop skills led them only on the third line of the grid. The first two positions firmly occupied the Audi # 7 and # 8. Wet asphalt was not too comfortable for Porsche, who were behind the team from Ingolstadt. In general, the Nürburgring can be called home for all three factory teams: the Germans all clear, but Toyota has here its test center not far from that of an airport.
Sunday start, unlike the day before qualifying, took place already on dry asphalt. And then Porsche showed its character. Prototype number 1 Tim Bernhard at the wheel in the bunch of turns in front of the Mercedes arena nicely bypasses Audi №8 Olivier Zharvisa and led the race. Porsche # 2 Neil Jani meanwhile, makes its way to the third position. Audi has already Position is not as great as it seemed at first. Toyota humbly remains on the 5–6 places, but even in this situation is the difference between car manufacturers and three privates huge six prototypes instantly detached from the rest of the group and go forward. However, with Toyota clear, rather the contrary. Their car №5 already at Stage 4 of the nine received the last permit engine: all subsequent replacement, if any, will have a three-minute penalty — and what you want, it's a battle of endurance, not F1, where a replacement engine gives 10 positions at the start. At a moment to understand what is in 3 minutes Endurance: it is about two lag laps in the race, where after 24 hours the leaders finish with a difference of a few tens of seconds or even less. So with the three minutes it is necessary either to believe in a miracle, either immediately withdraw from the race.
About giants battle can talk indefinitely and with gusto, because it really was beautiful. Audi and Porsche fought like gladiators, fighting for every centimeter, for every fraction of a second. Even though accidents in the race there was virtually no, take your eyes off what is happening on the track it was impossible.
First Full Corse Yellow — mode virtual seyfiti car — include only two hours after the start, and then because of the departure of one of the Ferrari body category, and then only because of their own mistakes. Then there were two more, who played for Porsche's hand after they are rolled back due to a slow puncture in Brendon Hartley on №1 and because of stupid in turn entered into a rage Neil Jani on car number 2.
Next Audi and Porsche have exchanged a series of attacks and overtaking, which resulted in the first position is firmly established crew №1, №2 and due penalty for pitlane drive-rolled on the 4 th position, and well finished.
But in fact, although many of us are fans of top teams, but still much more interesting than what is happening with our kids, who act in this championship. The WEC have two teams: SMP Racing two crews on Russian prototypes BR01 # 27 and # 37 and the G-Drive Racing in the # 26 Oreca.
G-Drive Racing, which is constantly represented only by Roman Rusinov — the other members of the crew of «replacement» — which year fighting for the championship this season and previous years was small but sure steps, moving from fourth to third and second place. At Le Mans it is not really lucky. Two fine, which has earned Will Stevens, just turned out to be the time interval separating them from winning. However, Will Stevens in their crew has gone, and its place was taken by Alex Brundle. As for René Rast, it seems, came to the court. It's really very fast German pilot, who knows perfectly the Nürburgring.
№26 was inimitable in qualifying and took pole position adequately in the LMP2 category. Rast, who started in the race, immediately broke away from the opponents and not leave them no chance. Alex Brundle went next, and just replace it became clear that the machine is experiencing any problems. His zazvali the boxes, found that the cause of the gearbox, but at the same time it became clear that to deal with this problem quickly fail. Mechanics tried very hard, but when 30% of the time of the race, to be allocated to finding the car off the track, had expired, the team was forced to withdraw. Roman Rusinov not even have time to get behind the wheel.
«What can I say, unfortunately, such moments occur, — commented Roman Rusinov. — Luckily for us, they are rare. In theory, when it became clear that the repair time will be more than three hours, it would be possible, it seemed, to replace the box, but the Championship regulations do not allow, and the loss of time was already irreparable. Even if the mechanics managed to completely go through the box, the pilots would have not had time to win back lost time and show a significant result in the race. We will be back in the cage in Mexico! „.
As regards SMP Racing, the car with number 27 was piloted by Maurizio median and Nicolas Minassian, while the crew №37 included Vitaly Petrov, Kirill Ladygin and Viktor Shaitar. The first priority for the team was to finish both crews and dial the desired points. Unfortunately, the speed of the Russian prototypes still can not always fight with rivals, but in terms of reliability, they fully comply with all requirements.
On the basis of qualifications guys started 6-bit and 9-mi in the LMP2 category, and during races Vitaly Petrov on Twitter even has reported that fighting for 4th place, but, unfortunately, the 5-position it was the best thing they were able to achieve in the race. At one point №27 even accidentally participated in the battle of Porsche and Audi, have appeared in «hot spot», but done little contact, preferred to stay away.
In fact, LMP1 category, especially in their «factory» embodiment, LMP2 and comparable. So, Porsche and BR01 difference Nurnburgring maximum speed of almost 20 km / h, and the time difference is desired range — 12 seconds. A similar difference is observed in other machines in different categories.
However, SMP Racing pilots were able to due to the faultless reliability and piloting technology bring both cars to the finish in his debut season, finishing in 6th and 8th places.
«The next two crews finish is good, — Vitaly Petrov said. — Thanks to the team, engineers and mechanics — we stopped by at the right time at the pit-stops, quickly changed the wheel, refueled, there were no hitches. As for the results, the sixth place is also not the worst. Yes, of course we want to win, we make every effort to do so, but the race is a technical sport: it is necessary to work on the machine and just keep moving forward. Thanks to everyone who supported us! »
The next stage of the Championship held on 3 September in Mexico City.
Results WEC Nuerburgring
LMP1
1. Timo BERNHARD, Mark WEBBER, Brendon HARTLEY Porsche 919 Hybrid
2. Lucas DI GRASSI, Loïc DUVAL, Oliver JARVIS Audi R18
3. Marcel FÄSSLER, André LOTTERER, Audi R18
LMP2
1. Gustavo MENEZES, Nicolas LAPIERRE, Stéphane RICHELMI Alpine A460 — Nissan
2. Ricardo GONZALEZ, Filipe ALBUQUERQUE, Bruno SENNA LIGIER JS P2 — Nissan
3. Ryan DALZIEL, Luis Felipe DERANI, Christopher CUMMING LIGIER JS P2 — Nissan
...
6. Vitaly PETROV, Kirill LADYGIN, Victor SHAITAR BR01 — Nissan
...
8. Nicolas MINASSIAN, Maurizio MEDIANI, BR01 — Nissan
LMGTE Pro
1. Gianmaria BRUNI, James CALADO, Ferrari 488 GTE
2. Davide RIGON, Sam BIRD, Ferrari 488 GTE
3. Nicki THIIM, Marco SØRENSEN, Aston Martin Vantage V8
LMGTE Am
1. Paul DALLA LANA, Pedro LAMY, Mathias LAUDA Aston Martin Vantage V8
2. François PERRODO, Emmanuel COLLARD, Rui AGUAS Ferrari F458 Italia
3. Yutaka YAMAGISHI, Pierre RAGUES, Paolo RUBERTI Chevrolet Corvette C7-Z06
Photo: WEC, SMP Racing, G-Drive
