Rebellion Racing took its second consecutive overall pole position to claim top spot in LMP1 Qualifying at the Bahrain International Circuit today for round 4 of FIA WEC. Bruno Senna and Norman Nato take the best average of 1m42.979s.  To read the full story click HERE. For results and times from Qualifying, click HERE.  Tomorrow’s Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain race will commence at 15h00 local time.  Click HERE for local TV listings and to follow the action live via the official FIA WEC app HERE.   Retrouvez ICI tous les articles de notre site en version française.

Porsche 1-2 in LMGTE Pro Qualifying  LMGTE Pro sees pole position go to the No.91 Porsche 911 RSR as Richard Lietz and Gimmi Bruni claim their second pole of the season with an average time of 1m55.485s.  Lietz set the fastest overall lap time in 1m55.342s. It was a Porsche 1-2 as No.92 car of Michael Christensen and Kevin Estre took second position, just 0.060s off their stablemates AF Corse place third and fourth as No.51 heads No.71 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.

United Autosports claims first ever LMP2 WEC pole position Britain's Paul Di Resta and Phil Hanson average 1m45.357s with Di Resta claiming overall quickest LMP2 lap time of 1m44.869s. Jackie Chan DC Racing duo of Will Stevens and Gabriel Aubry qualify just 0.3s off class pole sitters while G-Drive Racing will start their first WEC race of the season from third position.

No.57 Team Project 1 Porsche takes first pole of the season in LMGTE Am Larry Ten Voorde and Ben Keating combine to set an average lap of 1m57.602s while Ten Voorde claims fastest overall lap with a 1m57.089s effort. Meanwhile, No.54 AF Corse Ferrari's Giancarlo Fisichella and Thomas Flohr combine to take second.   No.88 Dempsey Proton Porsche place third as Khaled Al Qubaisi and Thomas Preining qualify.

Rebellion Racing takes pole in Bahrain while Porsche tops LMGTE Pro

• Bahrain International Circuit Racing
• At 12/13/2019 06:22:00 p.m.
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When to see all the action 

The final round of the 2017 season is almost with us, and the action starts on Thursday 16 November with two free practice sessions, some under the floodlights, at the popular Bahrain International Circuit. A third and final practice will take place ahead of qualifying on Friday 17 November, and the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain will run into the night from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday 18 November. Races to be won, championship titles to be settled, and farewells to be made.  Don't miss a minute.

A full timetable can be found HERE

The latest Entry list can be found HERE

Retrouvez ICI tous les articles de notre site en version française

One week to go to Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain

• 6 Hours of Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit Championship Sporting
• At 11/11/2017 03:48:00 p.m.
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One of the four drivers who will take part in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s third, official ‘Rookie Test’ at Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday 19 November has been announced today. However, the identity of the remaining three drivers won’t be known until less than 24 hours before the start of the test. The young driver chosen to test the Toyota TS050 HYBRID will be Frenchman Thomas Laurent (19) (pictured below), who was selected as having shown exemplary performance, determination and race skills during 2017.  The Jackie Chan DC Racing team member, who made his LMP2 debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone in April of this year, has so far won three times including a memorable result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans when he and his team mates finished second overall. He has been leading the LMP2 drivers’ championship since the start of the season.  The other three drivers who will be officially part of the WEC Rookie Test in Bahrain all come from World Series Formula V8 3.5 but, with the drivers’ championship not due to be settled until the final race of the season in Bahrain, their identity won’t be confirmed until less than 24 hours before the test begins.  The eventual winner of the World Series Formula V8 3.5 championship will test the Porsche 919 Hybrid, the driver finishing second in the classification will test and ORECA 07 Gibson with the winner of the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams, and the driver finishing third in the classification will test with the team which has won the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Pro Teams.  To read who the the other drivers might be, and quotes from Pierre Fillon and Gerard Neveu on Thomas Laurent and the Rookie test CLICK HERE

Bahreïn Rookie Test 2017 : Thomas Laurent pilotera la Toyota TS050 HYBRID L'identité de l'un des quatre pilotes participant au troisième Rookie Test officiel du Championnat du Monde d'Endurance FIA (WEC), prévu le dimanche 19 novembre sur le Bahrain International Circuit, a été annoncée aujourd'hui. Mais celle des trois autres pilotes conviés ne pourra être dévoilée qu'à peine 24 heures avant le début de ce test.  Le jeune pilote désigné pour piloter la Toyota TS050 HYBRID est le Français Thomas Laurent (19 ans). Il a été choisi pour ses performances exemplaires, sa détermination et son sens de la course pendant cette saison 2017.  Le pilote de Jackie Chan DC Racing, qui a fait ses débuts en catégorie LMP2 en avril dernier aux 6 Heures de Silverstone, a signé à ce jour en compagnie de ses deux coéquipiers trois victoires, dont un résultat mémorable aux 24 Heures du Mans, avec la deuxième place du classement général. Il est actuellement en tête du Trophée Endurance FIA des Pilotes LMP2 depuis la première manche WEC 2017.  Les trois autres pilotes qui participeront au Rookie Test de Bahreïn proviendront tous du championnat monoplaces Formula V8 3.5 World Series, dont le titre ne se jouera qu'à l'issue de la dernière manche 2017 à Bahreïn. Leur identité sera donc connue moins d'une journée avant le début du Rookie Test. Le futur champion 2017 de Formula V8 3.5 World Series effectuera le Rookie Test au volant de la Porsche 919 Hybrid, le futur deuxième sur l'ORECA 07-Gibson de l'équipe lauréate du Trophée Endurance FIA LMP2, et le troisième au sein de l'équipe qui remportera le Trophée Endurance FIA des Equipes LMGTE Pro.  Pour découvrir cette actualité, y compris les déclarations de Pierre Fillon et Gérard Neveu CLIQUEZ ICI

All stories on the 2017 season are available online on the official FIAWEC website at www.fiawec.com

Thomas Laurent to test Toyota in Bahrain Rookie Test

• Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit Drivers FIA World Endurance Championship’s Toyota
• At 10/27/2017 04:34:00 p.m.
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The final round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship was an emotional one at the Bahrain International Circuit, with champions crowned, farewells made to firm friends, and drama along the way. 

Below are the key headlines: 

• Lucas Di Grassi, Loïc Duval and Oliver Jarvis take second win of season to end Audi endurance era on an unforgettable high 
• Marcel Fässler, Benoit Tréluyer and André Lotterer complete perfect send-off for German manufacturer with dominant 1-2 
• No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid trio of Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb and Neel Jani take FIA World Endurance Drivers’ title after sixth place finish, despite contact with KCMG Porsche in second hour 
• Porsche takes fourth WEC title in two years
• Mark Webber finishes career with podium placing as he and teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley take hard-fought third place 
• Australian ace takes chequered flag for final time in career to emotional scenes 
• Audi’s win is 107th in all major international series and 16th in FIA WEC history 
• Toyota Gazoo Racing end season with fourth and sixth positions with No.5 TS050 Hybrid heading No.6 car to finish line 
• Rebellion Racing take eighth LMP1 Privateer class win of 2016 season in comfortable run to flag in final race with R-One-AER

For all the times from today's ninth and final round of the 2016 WEC CLICK HERE

Picture below shows left to right: Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Fritz Enzinger, Andreas Seidl

Ferrari win GT Manufacturers race; Aston Martin seal LMGTE Pro title LMGTE Pro sees Danish pair Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim crowned champions in No.95 Aston Martin after they resist late pressure from No.51 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE  New champions inherited lead from No.97 entry after they lose time with lost wheel after a suspected brake problem  No.71 AF Corse Ferrari of Sam Bird and Davide Rigon takes third place as Prancing Horse celebrate winning the FIA World Endurance Cup for GT Manufacturers  LMGTE Am sees Abu-Dhabi Proton Porsche of Khaled Al Qubaisi, David Heinemeier-Hansson and Pat Long take second class win of the year Newly crowned champions – No.83 AF Corse Ferrari trio of Emmanuel Collard, Francois Perrodo and Rui Aguas take third in class behind KCMG Porsche 911 RSR to seal championship. See you all at Silverstone on 16th April for the start of the 2017 WEC season!  Pictures below show LMGTE Pro Champions Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim from Aston Martin Racing on the top step of the podium; second picture shows LMGTE Am champions Rui Aguas, Emmanuel Collard and Francois Perrodo from AF Corse

All stories on the 2016 season ahead are available online on the official FIAWEC website at : www.fiawec.com Twitter and Facebook : Follow the FIAWEC on Twitter @fiawec and 'like' FIA WEC on Facebook

Audi takes emotional win while Dumas, Jani and Lieb are crowned World Champions

• Bahrain International Circuit Drivers FIA Racing World Champions
• At 11/20/2016 05:28:00 p.m.
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Track action is underway for 2016 WEC finale Porsche's Neel Jani headed the time sheets in Free Practice 1, with Aston Martin Racing leading the way in LMGTE Pro.  For all the news on the first track action for the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain CLICK HERE Under the floodlights at night for the second Free Practice session Neel Jani scorched to fastest lap of the day with a 1m39.817s.  The No.2 Porsche 919 Hybrid was 0.455s quicker than the sister car of Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard. G-Drive Racing went to the top of the time sheets in LMP2, while Aston Martin Racing led the way in LMGTE Pro and Am.  For all the headlines from this session CLICK HERE  For all the times from the two practice sessions today CLICK HERE Retrouvez ICI tous les articles de notre site en version française.

Where to follow the 6 Hours of Bahrain on TV This weekend’s Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain, taking place at the impressive Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir between 17-19 November, will be the scene for the thrilling conclusion to a number of championship title battles including the World Endurance Drivers’ and the World GT Manufacturers’ championships. The action will be intense, with much at stake, and there is huge anticipation throughout the 31-car field.  The ninth and final round of the WEC begins at 16h00 local time and will race into the night. The 5.412 km (3.363 miles), 15 turn track, which can be very slippery off line due to the sand around the track,will test the drivers’ skill and driving at night under the floodlights can often produce drama.  If you are unable to attend in person – missing out on what is likely to be an incredible spectacle of the world’s most sophisticated and high-performing sports prototypes and GT cars racing making their annual visit to the Middle East – don’t worry! The WEC has put together a comprehensive list of live television coverage to be shown via major broadcasters around the world, ensuring that you don’t miss any of the WEC action.  To read more about the TV distribution schedule CLICK HERE The full list of coverage can be found HERE

New Porsche 911 RSR revealed! The new generation Porsche 911 RSR has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show to universal interest and anticipation for its track debut in 2017.  The new model is a mid-engined design powered by a four-litre flat-six engine mounted in front of the rear axle.  “While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution in the history of our top GT model,” said Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.  “For the 911 RSR, we deliberately focused on a particularly modern and light normally-aspirated engine, as this gave our engineers immense latitude in developing the vehicle.  “Apart from that, in principle, the GTE and GT Le Mans class regulations stipulate the absolute equality of various drive concepts, as the torque characteristics of turbo and normally aspirated engines are aligned.”  The endurance world is looking forward to seeing the racing version of the new model back in the FIA WEC next season. In the meantime the WEC paddock will be able to see the car on display here at the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain.

BR and Dallara join forces for new LMP1 car A new contender in LMP1 will race in the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship it has been revealed today.  The Russian BR Engineering company which was behind the BR01 LMP2 car which has raced over the last two seasons, will enter the LMP1 class as its own manufacturer after announcing an exciting new partnership with Dallara.  Boris Rotenberg, President of BR Engineering (left in picture above), and Andrea Pontremoli, CEO of Dallara, signed a collaboration agreement recently to confirm the new alliance. Development and operational support will be handled by renowned French squad – ART Grand Prix.  "We raised a challenge to ourselves," said Boris Rotenberg.  "It was possible to buy a chassis of one of the four manufacturers of LMP2 for a season, also it was possible to leave for good, but we have always chosen our own path.  “Dallara’s name is known to anyone who is familiar with motor racing. Now we have become partners, and BR Engineering's new project has started here in Italy where the best designers and engineers, both from Russia and from Europe, will create a Russian prototype for Russian team SMP Racing."  Image with thanks to BR Engineering

All stories on the 2016 season ahead are available online on the official FIAWEC website at : www.fiawec.com Twitter and Facebook : Follow the FIAWEC on Twitter @fiawec and 'like' FIA WEC on Facebook

Latest News: Track action underway in Bahrain; new cars, new entrants for WEC announced

• 6 Hours of Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit Car Drive Racing Racing
• At 11/17/2016 09:12:00 p.m.
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The FIA World Endurance Championship delivered two races in Asia of exceptional intensity, drama and excitement, but the final round of the 2016 championship at Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday 19 November is likely to be as passion-filled and emotional as any experienced. 

Porsche secured its second consecutive World Endurance Manufacturers Championship with a dominant display from current World Champions Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley in China, but its drivers Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb will definitely be looking for a stronger run than they have had in Fuji and Shanghai in order to secure the Drivers’ title. 

The LMP2 title was joyously clinched in Shanghai by French team Signatech Alpine, a fourth place finish being all that was required, while the LMP1 Private Team title has been in Rebellion Racing’s pocket since Fuji. However, the LMGTE Pro and Am championships are still wide open between drivers from Ferrari, Aston Martin and Ford, as is the coveted FIA World Endurance Cup for GT Manufacturers. 

As in China, 31 cars will be on the grid for the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain for the third WEC round which runs into darkness. The always-impressive Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir is slightly different to Le Mans and COTA though as 5000 lights illuminate the 5.412km track, turning night into daylight. 

Aside from the top level WEC action, there is a comprehensive support race package from the Porsche GT3 Cup an MRF Challenge. However, much attention will undoubtedly fall in Bahrain on names synonymous with motorsport and endurance racing, names which are due to leave the WEC at the end of this season – Audi Sport and Mark Webber of Porsche. 

It’s going to be joyous, tense, emotional and a celebration of the very best of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Don’t miss it!

The entry list can be found HERE

The full story can be read by clicking HERE

The timetable for the weekend can be found HERE

Retrouvez ICI tous les articles de notre site en version française.

All stories on the 2016 season ahead are available online on the official FIAWEC website at : www.fiawec.com Twitter and Facebook : Follow the FIAWEC on Twitter @fiawec and 'like' FIA WEC on Facebook

Bahrain set to be scene for emotional 2016 WEC finale

• Bahrain International Circuit FIA World Endurance Championship Motorsport Pilots Porsche GT3 Cup
• At 11/07/2016 01:46:00 p.m.
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Following the close of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season in Bahrain, the WEC and its LMP1 manufacturer partners Audi, Porsche and Toyota will hold the second, official ‘Rookie Test’ to offer up-and-coming drivers the opportunity to show their talents behind the wheel of an LMP1 hybrid car.  The test will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday 20 November, the day after the 6 hours of Bahrain.  Three drivers have been chosen by the Promoter from championships within the ACO’s aegis including the WEC, European Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. They have been selected as having shown the best performance, determination and race skills during 2016.  Each of the prototype manufacturers will test with at least one LMP1 car, and each of the drivers chosen will be given the opportunity to complete at least 30 laps with one manufacturer. The LMP1 manufacturers may also use the time on track to test additional drivers if they wish.  The drivers selected by the promoter are Pipo Derani (23, BRA), Antonio Giovinazzi (22, ITA) and Gustavo Menezes (22, USA).  Derani has been competing in 2016 with Tequila Patrón ESM in the WEC, having started his year with victories in the team’s Ligier JS P2 LMP2 at both the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and will test the Toyota TS050 HYBRID; Giovinazzi, who is poised to win the 2016 GP2 single seater series with one race weekend to go, is a newcomer to the WEC but is a two-time race winner in the Asian Le Mans Series and he will test the Audi R18; Menezes has been a standout performer in this season’s LMP2 category, winning four of the six rounds so far including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and he will test the Porsche 919 Hybrid.  President of the ACO, Pierre Fillon, commented: “Of the many candidates we considered for selection, these three have shown both outstanding performances and great potential which we considered merited the test drives in Bahrain. Pipo’s excellent performances for ESM in the USA at the start of the year backed up an impressive 2015 WEC season and some extraordinary podium-gaining feats in 2016. Antonio is relatively new to endurance racing, compared to the other two, but he has shown a talent for it which cannot be ignored and has the potential for a long future with us should he choose it, while Gustavo has been consistently impressive in the Signatech Alpine this season alongside more experienced team mates. We congratulate them on their selection and we wish them every success at the test.”  Gérard Neveu, CEO of the World Endurance Championship, said: “The Rookie Test is a fantastic opportunity for these three up-and-coming endurance drivers to test an LMP1 prototype, the most technologically advanced race cars in the world. We looked in depth at drivers from within the world of endurance racing before making the selection, and believe that Pipo Derani, Antonio Giovinazzi and Gustavo Menezes fully deserved the opportunity to demonstrate their talent and potential. This Rookie Test will give drivers an added bonus to their season, and forms an important element in the progressive career path available within the endurance family.”  All of the other WEC competitors who raced at the 6 Hours of Bahrain on the previous day are also able to run their cars in the test, providing a unique opportunity for them to evaluate potential drivers for the 2017 season in ideal conditions.  An initial list of those due to attend the test will be released next week, with the final entry list being available prior to the 6 Hours of Bahrain. Running times on the circuit on Sunday 20 November will be from 10am to Midday and 1pm to 4pm.

Rookie Test 2016 à Bahreïn : les trois pilotes sélectionnés Dans la foulée de la clôture du Championnat du Monde d'Endurance FIA (WEC) à Bahreïn, le WEC et ses constructeurs partenaires Audi, Porsche et Toyota tiendront leur deuxième "Rookie Test" officiel, permettant à de jeunes pilotes en devenir de faire la démonstration de leur talent au volant d'un prototype LMP1 hybride.  Ce test aura lieu sur le Bahrain International Circuit le dimanche 20 novembre, le lendemain des 6 Heures de Bahreïn.  Trois pilotes ont été choisis par le promoteur des championnats placés sous l'égide de l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), parmi lesquels figurent le WEC, l'European Le Mans Series et l'Asian Le Mans Series. Ils ont été sélectionnés sur la base de la meilleure performance, de la détermination et du sens de la course dont ils ont fait preuve en 2016.  Chacun des trois constructeurs testera au moins un prototype LMP1, et chacun des trois pilotes se verra offrir la possibilité d'effectuer au moins 30 tours chez l'un de ces trois constructeurs. S'ils le souhaitent, ces derniers peuvent également faire rouler d'autres pilotes.  Les trois heureux élus sélectionnés par le promoteur sont le Brésilien Pipo Derani (23 ans),l'Italien Antonio Giovinazzi (22 ans) et l'Américain Gustavo Menezes (22 ans).  En 2016, Pipo Derani a couru au sein de l'équipe Tequila Patron ESM en WEC, et a débuté la saison par deux victoires avec sa Ligier JS P2 (LMP2) aux 24 Heures Rolex de Daytona et aux 12 Heures de Sebring. Il pilotera la Toyota TS050 HYBRID. En lice pour le titre 2016 du championnat de monoplaces GP2 alors qu'il ne reste plus qu'un week-end de course à disputer, Antonio Giovinazzi est un nouveau venu en WEC, mais il a remporté deux manches Asian Le Mans Series. Il prendra le volant de l'Audi R18. Quant à Gustavo Menezes, que l'on retrouvera au volant de la Porsche 919 Hybrid, il a connu une ascension météorique cette saison en LMP2, remportant quatre victoires (dont les 24 Heures du Mans) sur les six manches disputées à ce jour.  "Des nombreux candidats que nous avons envisagés pour cette sélection, ces trois jeunes pilotes ont à la fois réalisé des performances remarquables et démontré un grand potentiel qui, à notre sens, méritaient ce test à Bahreïn," indique Pierre Fillon, Président de l'ACO. "Les excellentes performances de Pipo chez ESM aux Etats-Unis en début d'année étaient dans la continuité d'une saison WEC 2015 impressionnante, et de quelques exploits extraordinaires qui l'ont amené sur le podium en 2016. Par rapport à Pipo et Gustavo, Antonio est relativement neuf dans le monde de l'endurance, mais il a démontré un talent qu'il est impossible d'ignorer, et a le potentiel pour un avenir brillant s'il décide de faire le choix de notre discipline. Quant à Gustavo, il n'a cessé d'impressionner chez Signatech Alpine cette saison, aux côtés de coéquipiers plus expérimentés. Nous tenons à les féliciter pour leur sélection et leur souhaitons à chacun le meilleur au cours de ce test."  "Le Rookie Test est une opportunité fantastique pour ces trois jeunes pilotes d'avenir d'essayer un prototype LMP1, c'est-à-dire les voitures de compétition à la technologie la plus avancée au monde," ajoute Gérard Neveu, Directeur Général du WEC. "Nous avons regardé avec beaucoup de soin les pilotes du monde de l'endurance avant d'effectuer notre sélection, et nous croyons que Pipo Derani, Antonio Giovinazzi et Gustavo Menezes ont amplement mérité cette occasion de faire valoir leur talent et leur potentiel. Ce Rookie Test sera un véritable bonus pour leur saison, et constitue un élément important sur le chemin d'une carrière dans la grande famille de l'endurance."  Tous les autres concurrents présents aux 6 Heures de Bahreïn pourront également faire rouler leurs voitures pendant cette journée, ce qui leur permettra à eux aussi d'évaluer dans les meilleures conditions leurs pilotes potentiels en vue de la saison 2017.  Une première liste des participants sera publiée la semaine prochaine. La liste définitive sera connue peu avant les 6 Heures de Bahreïn. Les essais du dimanche 20 novembre se dérouleront de 10h00 à midi, puis de 13h00 à 16h00.

All stories on the 2016 season ahead are available online on the official FIAWEC website at : www.fiawec.com Twitter and Facebook : Follow the FIAWEC on Twitter @fiawec and 'like' FIA WEC on Facebook

2016 Bahrain Rookie Test: The lucky 3 drivers!

• Bahrain International Circuit F1 FIA World Endurance Championship
• At 10/15/2016 12:22:00 a.m.
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