Rebellion Racing takes first WEC non-hybrid victory since 2012 

Rebellion Racing has been confirmed as the final winner of the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the third round of the WEC Super Season. 

The No.3 Rebellion R13 Gibson, driven by Mathias Beche, Thomas Laurent and Gustavo Menezes, becomes the first privateer entry to win an FIA World Endurance Championship race overall and the first non-hybrid to claim overall victory since Spa 2012. 

The final results and championship classifications show a 1-2 for Rebellion Racing, with SMP Racing claiming third place. 

The confirmation comes after the withdrawal by Toyota Gazoo Racing of its intention to appeal against exclusion from the race following post-race technical inspections which revealed non-conformity of the regulations of the cars’ skid block. 

The No.8 TS050 HYBRID of Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso originally took the chequered flag ahead of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López in the second-placed Toyota but both cars have been disqualified from the results of the race. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing withdraw appeal against Silverstone exclusions

• 6 Hours of Silverstone Championship FIA WEC
• At 8/21/2018 06:23:00 p.m.
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The third round of the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season is almost upon us with Silverstone, the Home of British Motor Racing, this year featuring in a summer slot. 

Jenson Button in his first home race since 2016, close competition, more overtakes than you can count, and tight, on-track battles among the 34 competitors are expected in the 6 Hours of Silverstone (17-19 August). 

The outright winners of the race will lift the coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, the oldest trophy in motorsport (which has only been won once by a British driver, Anthony Davidson, since the WEC launched in 2012). 

All this, plus a packed timetable of entertainment on and off track, has been programmed for the enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowds which traditionally enjoy the world championship’s only visit to Great Britain. 

Fans will be able to see not only the WEC, but also the fourth round of the ever-popular European Le Mans Series and three races from the hotbed of junior racing talent, the FIA F3 Championship. Don’t miss a minute of the action!

A racing return home for Jenson Button

Four of the drivers in LMP1 are British, but there is only F1 World Champion carrying the famous Union flag: Jenson Button from SMP Racing.  Thousands of fans are expected to be at Silverstone to support him. The Frome, Somerset-born driver will be starting his second WEC race and, like all the drivers in the LMP1 privateer teams, Button will no doubt looking forward to the increased performance levels thanks to the recent Equivalence of Technology adjustments. SMP Racing’s BR Engineering BR1-AERs had a tough 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Russian team will be eager to chalk up its first podium of the season – of note is that the No.17 entry will feature just a two-driver line up of Sarrazin and Orudzhev.  The WEC is of course graced by two F1 World Champions this year and Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Fernando Alonso, together with Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, will be planning to build on the dominant two wins from two races achieved so far this season. The immediate fight will be taken to them by the sister Toyota TS050 HYRID, with Britain’s Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José Maria Lopez providing stern competition.

Hot competition guaranteed in LMGTE 

Get ready for some of the hottest competition in the world of endurance racing! While Porsche currently has a strong lead in the GT Manufacturers’ World Championship, there’s a long way to go in the Super Season and historically some circuits suit some chassis better than others. Every manufacturer has all to play for. Porsche’s 911 RSR is on a roll at the moment and the two Porsche GT Team entries – reverting to their more traditional liveries – will both be aiming for victory. Former GT champions Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz (No. 91) are hungry for a win, while Kevin Estre and Michael Christensen (No.92) will want to keep their Le Mans success going.  Aston Martin Racing’s new Vantage starts the 6 Hours of Silverstone on home ground with a two-driver line up in each car, similar to all its rivals. Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim pilot the No.95 entry while Alex Lynn upholds British honour for the iconic British marque with Maxime Martin in the No.97.  AF Corse and Ferrari’s reigning GT champions James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi haven’t had the easiest start to the season in the No.51 488 GTE EVO, but home support for Calado and team mate in the No.71, Sam Bird, will raise spirits. The Ferrari team has done well at Silverstone in the past and they won’t be the only ones hoping for the hot weather to continue!  Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK’s base is just 9 miles (14 km) from Silverstone and the team has a pair of determined Brits hoping to win local pride. Harry Tincknell and Andy Priaulx from the No.67 Ford GT have had a bad start to the season in terms of results but have shown pace and performance and the results will surely come. Team mates Stefan Mücke and Olivier Pla won at Spa and are just 8 points behind the leaders so will be looking for a strong result to consolidate their position in the tables.  BMW Team MTEK continues to find its feet in the world championship and the talented line up in both BMW M8 GTEs will undoubtedly benefit from the mileage covered at Spa and Le Mans. The competition is tough, but a manufacturer with its experience and resources should not be underestimated!

Home heroes sure to entertain throughout 6 Hours of Silverstone

• 6 Hours of Silverstone Championship FIA Motor Racing Sport
• At 8/03/2018 07:55:00 p.m.
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This time next week the first of two visits to Le Mans in the WEC Super Season will get underway. Don't miss a minute of the action via the 24 Hours of Le Mans/FIA WEC App.  The race begins at 15h00 on Saturday 16 June.

Michael Fassbender to be guest of honour The 24 Hours of Le Mans attracts stars from all over the world and the guest of honour this year is none other than Hollywood star Michael Fassbender.  The actor, who has played roles in Alien, Inglorious Basterds and X Men and whose portrayal of Steve Jobs earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor, loves racing and is a regular competitor in the Ferrari Challenge North America.  The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is therefore delighted to say that he has accepted an invitation to be guest of honour at the 86th 24 Hours of Le Mans, second round of the FIA WEC Super Season.

2020 Regulations to be revealed on 15th June! Although just days before the 86th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (16-17 June), the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile are looking to and preparing for the future of endurance racing.  The outlines for the 2020-2024 regulations will be revealed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Press Conference at 10h30 on Friday 15th June. A number of different areas will be addressed, details of which will be published on the FIA WEC website.

Porsche and Ford – the ‘super’ teams! Two of the six automotive giants entered in the LMGTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year will have no fewer than four cars each in the world’s greatest endurance race on 16/17th June.  While they will not score points for the FIA WEC, the American entries for both Porsche and Ford – together with Corvette Racing and an additional Ferrari entry – bring the class to an incredible 17 entries.  These factory-run GTE cars, together with 100% professional driver line ups, guarantee a quite incredible battle ahead for fans at the track and on screens around the world to enjoy. But how to tell these four-car teams apart?

24 Hours of Le Mans: One week to go!

• 24 Hours of Le Mans FIA Sport
• At 6/10/2018 01:14:00 a.m.
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Le Mans entry list revealed in full The second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, starts in just 30 days and race organiser the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has announced today the list of competitors. It comprises the names of the 60 entries selected to take part in the French endurance classic. They are divided into four classes: 10 cars in LMP1, including 2 Hybrids, 20 in LMP2, 17 in LMGTE Pro and 13 in LMGTE Am : entry list  Given the glittering line-up, this year’s race (16-17 June) promises to be more exciting than ever. Major manufacturers Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Toyota will all be on the grid. This diverse selection of talented drivers, amateur or professional, rookies or seasoned competitors, forms the fabric of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A week before the official scrutineering sessions on 10/11 June, the majority of the drivers will have the opportunity to test their form on the iconic Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans at the Test Day on 3 June: entry list Test Day

La liste des engagés pour les 24 Heures du Mans dévoilée ! Dans 30 jours sera donné le départ des 24 Heures du Mans 2018, la deuxième manche de la Super Saison du WEC. L’Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organisateur de l’épreuve, a choisi de dévoiler aujourd’hui la liste officielle des engagés. Celle-ci comporte les noms des 60 équipes retenues pour participer à l’épreuve reine de l’endurance. Ces équipages se répartissent ainsi : 10 LMP1, dont 2 Hybrid, 20 LMP2, 17 LMGTE Pro et 13 LMGTE Am. Liste des invités à se présenter aux vérifications administratives et techniques  Cette édition 2018 (16-17 juin) s’annonce plus que prometteuse par la qualité et la diversité de son plateau. Ainsi, les plus grands constructeurs automobiles seront présents sur la grille de départ, comme Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Porsche et Toyota. Cette formidable combinaison de talents, d’amateurs, de débutants comme de plus expérimentés, témoigne de l’identité des 24 Heures du Mans. Avant les vérifications techniques et administratives, les équipes et les pilotes auront l’opportunité de s’entraîner sur le circuit mythique des 24 Heures, lors de la Journée Test du 3 juin : voir la liste des engagés à la journée Test.

Rafael Nadal to kick off the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans  World-renowned tennis champion Rafael Nadal is to be official race starter for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday 16 June 2018. The fantastic sportsman is a fitting ambassador for the iconic race. Make sure you’re watching at 15h00 on 16 June! Rafael Nadal donnera le coup d’envoi des 24 Heures du Mans 2018   La star du tennis mondial donnera le départ des 24 heures du Mans, le 16 juin 2018 à 15 heures. Ce fantastique sportif endossera le rôle de Starter de cette course de légende. Un moment d’exception à vivre.

Jenson Button "smiling from ear to ear" after first LMP1 test  Jenson Button has turned his first LMP1 laps with SMP Racing ahead of his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut next month.  The 2009 Formula 1 World Champion drove the No.11 BR Engineering BR1 AER at the former home of the French Grand Prix, Magny-Cours, in France.  The British driver is set to make his first appearance at Le Mans, the second round of the FIA WEC Super Season which takes place on 16/17th June, alongside Vitaly Petrov and Mikhail Aleshin. Jenson Button "tout sourire" après son premier test en LMP1  Jenson Button a couvert ses premiers tours au volant d'un prototype LMP1 avec SMP Racing, en vue de disputer le mois prochain ses premières 24 Heures du Mans.  Le Champion du Monde de Formule 1 2009 a piloté la BR Engineering BR1-AER n°11 à Magny-Cours, sur l'ancien circuit du Grand Prix de France.  La première apparition du Britannique aux côtés de Vitaly Petrov et Mikhail Aleshin est prévue au Mans, la deuxième manche de la Super Saison du Championnat du Monde d'Endurance FIA (WEC) qui se déroulera les 16 et 17 juin.

Jacky Ickx to be Grand Marshall of 24 Hours of Le Mans 2018 With five weeks to go until the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2018, the identity of the Grand Marshall for the greatest sportscar race in the world has been revealed. It will be one of the all-time greats – Jacky Ickx. On 16/17th June, the 86th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will bring together a superb line up of competitors. Chosen to lead away this magnificent file of men and machines, the legendary Jacky Ickx, 6-time winner at Le Mans (1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981 and 1982), knows the Sarthois event better than most.  Jacky Ickx : Grand Marshall des 24 Heures du Mans 2018  A 30 jours des 24 Heures du Mans 2018, Le Grand Marshall de la 86e édition de la plus grande course d’endurance du monde est désormais connu : il s’agit de l’un des exceptionnels, Jacky Ickx. Les 16 et 17 juin prochains, la 86e édition des 24 Heures du Mans rassemblera un somptueux plateau de concurrents. Pour guider cette magnifique lignée de machines et de pilotes, le Grand Marshall désigné cette année par l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest connaît à la perfection l’épreuve sarthoise: il s’agit de Jacky Ickx, légende du Mans, fort de six succès aux 24 Heures (1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981 et 1982).

24 Hours of Le Mans entry list revealed

• 24 Hours of Le Mans Championship FIA Race
• At 5/17/2018 12:34:00 p.m.
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It will be an historic occasion this morning as the first cars roar out of the Spa-Francorchamps pit lane to begin track action for the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season - the unique transition season of 14 months which will include two editions of the race in Belgium and two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A packed grid of 37 of the world’s most spectacular endurance racing sportscars are set to thrill and entertain in the first of the two free practice sessions today.  With stars of global racing such as Fernando Alonso, Pastor Maldonado and Antonio Felix da Costa having joined the championship this season, and BMW making it a five-strong manufacturer battle in LMGTE Pro, the ingredients are potent for a spicy racing feast this week.  The action for the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps begins at 12.00 local time and then continues with FP2 at 16.25 this afternoon. Follow it all via our social media channels and website - links below.

Interview with Aston Martin Racing's Maxime Martin  Belgium’s Maxime Martin will compete in his first FIA World Endurance Championship race for Aston Martin on home turf at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. The 32-year-old driver from Brussels was, until last season, a BMW works driver but now will race against his old team, Ferrari, Ford and Porsche in the super-competitive LMGTE Pro category for the coveted FIA World Endurance Championship GT title.

Super Season is here! Let's go racing...

• FIA Race Spa-Francorchamps Sportscars
• At 5/05/2018 10:22:00 p.m.
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The FIA World Endurance Championship is delighted to announce that its top broadcast team of Allan McNish, one of the modern greats of endurance racing, Martin Haven, Louise Beckett and Graham Goodwin will return to the TV commentary booth for the 2018-2019 Super Season.  (Picture below shows Martin Haven and Allan McNish at the WEC’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps 2017, with guest Alex Wurz of Toyota Gazoo Racing).  Allan McNish, who will be at all 8 WEC rounds, established a great rapport with the experienced and knowledgeable Martin Haven in 2017, and the two reunite to lead the play-by-play and in-depth technical and sporting analysis that has now become the hallmark of WEC broadcasts.

Les grands talents de la diffusion télévisée du WEC reviennent en 2018 Le Championnat du Monde d'Endurance FIA (WEC) est heureux d'annoncer que son équipe de commentateurs TV, constituée d'Allan McNish, l'un des très grands noms de l'endurance moderne, Martin Haven, Louise Beckett et Graham Goodwin, couvrira la Super Saison 2018-2019.  (Photo ci-dessous:  Martin Haven et Allan McNish aux 6 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps WEC 2017, avec Alex Wurz de Toyota Gazoo Racing). Allan McNish, qui officiera sur l'intégralité des 8 manches du WEC, a établi en 2017 une excellente entente avec l'expérimenté et fin connaisseur Martin Haven, et tous deux sont à nouveau réunis pour mener ensemble les résumés détaillés ainsi que l'analyse technique et sportive complète de la course, devenus désormais la marque de fabrique des retransmissions WEC.

Top WEC broadcast talent return for Super Season

• Broadcast Championship FIA Racing
• At 4/30/2018 12:13:00 p.m.
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The opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season, the TOTAL 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (3-5 May), was officially launched at an event in Brussels in front of WEC CEO Gérard Neveu, top class drivers from the LMP1, LMP2 and GTE classes and leading media figures from Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Alongside José María López (AR, Toyota Gazoo Racing), Jan Lammers (NL, Racing Team Nederland), Maxime Martin (BE, Aston Martin Racing) and Nicky Catsburg (NL, BMW Team MTEK), Gérard Neveu explained why the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit plays such an important role in the WEC calendar. 2018 will be the first time that the season has opened at the Belgian track.  (Top photo shows L-R Maxime Martin, Gérard Neveu, Nicky Catsburg, José María López and Jan Lammers)

“As well as being one of the most iconic tracks in the world and loved by all the drivers, every year Spa manages to surpass itself and our event gets better and better. Coming before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa also plays a crucial role as a dress rehearsal for the big race, and there was no better place for us to launch our Super Season. 

“We have an incredible 37 cars on the grid, and our pre-season test, the Prologue, proved that nothing can be guaranteed in terms of the competition throughout the field. 

“We have so many things for our fans to see and do, including some great new Augmented Reality and Interactive entertainments, we really look forward to welcoming fans from not just Belgium but also the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, the UK and beyond. 

“With the support of our partner, Total, we are convinced this year’s edition – the first of two in the Super Season – will be the best yet.” 

Belgium ready to kick start WEC Super Season

• 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Championship FIA
• At 4/26/2018 04:19:00 p.m.
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3 de Marzo en el Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez - CDMX

John Paul Esteves Castillo   Reportero   murrianose@gmail.com

Rolando Mauricio Pérez Carrillo   Fotógrafo   pecar56@yahoo.com.mx

CDMX, a 24 de Enero de 2018.- En el Palacio del Ayuntamiento del Zócalo capitalino se hizo la presentación oficial de la ABB FiA (Federación Internacional de Automovilismo) Fórmula - e del Premio México 2018 a celebrarse el próximo 3 de Marzo en el Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

En este evento estuvieron presentes: Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinoza -  Jefe de Gobierno de la CDMX, que presidio el acto; Maestro Horacio de la Vega Flores - Director General del Instituto Deportivo de la CDMX; Licenciado Alberto Longo - Director General y Co-Fundador de la f-e y el Presidente de la OMDAI, el Ingeniero José Abed (que fue confundido en la entrada con un periodista). Además estuvieron como invitados, el Director Comercial de f-e Latinoamérica - Licenciado Álvaro Buenaventura y el Sr. Eduardo León - Presidente y Fundador de la Carrera Panamericana de Automivilismo.

Horacio de la Vega destaco a la f-e como un deporte en donde se originan tecnologías que después son usadas en automóviles regulares a lo que José Abed añadio que esta tecnología es de vanguardia mundial con la espectacularidad de autos modernos con un mejor diseño y con las mejores características del automovilismo en todo el mundo. Destacó que en México la f-e sentó las bases de su desarrollo mundial, fomentando la seguridad vial, aunque cabe destacar que en su tercer edición en tierras mexicanas seguirá haciéndose en el AHR, a diferencia de otras ciudades alrededor del globo en donde se corre a través de las calles.

El Licenciado Longo informo que de lo recaudado en taquillas para este Gran Prix de F-e se donará una cantidad considerable para la re-construcción del Edificio de Remeros y Prahuistas de Xochimilco-Cuemanco de alto rendimiento deportivo que fue destrozado por el pasado terremoto del 19S, e independientemente de ese donativo, entregó un talon por medio millón de pesos en las manos del regente de la ciudad, que finalmente dio unos datos acerca de esta competencia automovilística. 

El premio de la f-e en México tendrá a 10 equipos, 20 pilotos, de los cuales 5 debutan este año; además se incorporará la Escudería audi a la competencia.

Miguel Ángel Mancera añadio algunos datos interesantes, como la consolidación de la CDMX como capital del deporte con 400 eventos agendados para este 2018, de los cuales 36 son internacionales (incluyendo el Gran Prix de f-e), 85 nacionales, 183 carreras a pie (efectuadas los fines de semana), 11 programas deportivos, 126 sesiones capitalinas, 4 ligas profesionales (Footbol, soccer y americano, Baseball, con la construcción del estadio de los diablos que estará lista para este año y Basketball); informo que se construirá uno de los skate parks más grandes de América Latina. Destacó que la página web tripadvisor posiciono a la CDMX como la 7ma. ciudad después de 6 destinos playeros como destino turístico por su oferta deportiva, cultural y gastronómica, por mencionar unas cuantas cualidades de la ciudad más grande del mundo durante su administración. En el evento también estuvo presente la Maestra Irene Muñoz Trujillo de promoción turística.

ABB FiA F-e Prix México 2018 - Presentación Oficial

• ABB FiA F-e Prix México 2018 Automivilismo FIA Pilotos Premio México
• At 1/24/2018 10:00:00 p.m.
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Ticketing opens for Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps! Eau Rouge, Blanchimont, Pouhon, La Source…names which mean only one thing – ticketing for the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is open and it’s time to plan your trip!  The opening round of the FIA WEC Super Season, which takes place on Saturday 5 May, promises to be an historic occasion for many reasons: the start of the ‘transition’ season which sees the WEC place the 24 Hours of Le Mans as its final round; the traditional dress rehearsal for the greatest race of them all; and – in 2018 – the first time that the competitors will be able to measure up against each other on track at this driver and fan favourite venue.  The LMP classes - 2017 in facts and figures With 50 FIA World Endurance Championship races complete, here’s a brief overview of some key statistics for the LMP classes.  It was Porsche’s third consecutive Manufacturers’ world championship, and Porsche LMP Team took three consecutive Le Mans outright victories plus its drivers won the World Endurance Championship title on three occasions.  Since the Porsche 919 Hybrid’s debut in 2014, the tally from 34 races was 17 wins with 7 of them being 1-2 victories. In addition, 20 pole positions and 13 fastest race laps were marked in the history books The GTE classes - facts and figures from 2017 Across GTE Pro and Am, 37 wins for Aston Martin and 35 for Ferrari...here's the lowdown on the GTE classes after the 2017 season. A fantastic season for Ferrari’s James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi led the Prancing Horse to a 5th GTE Manufacturers’ title and 3rd Drivers Championship…but this year was different as both were official FIA World Championship titles.   AF Corse’s No.51 crew, together with No.71’s Davide Rigon and Sam Bird, took 5 wins, 6 podiums and 4 poles.  Read all about the GTE manufacturers, teams and drivers HERE or find the French version HERE Rebellion Racing aiming to return to LMP1 in 2018 with super-strong line up! 2017 LMP2 Champions, Rebellion Racing, are aiming to return to the FIA World Endurance Championship for the Super Season in the LMP1 category, just one year after leaving it.  The Swiss team will apply for entry for two cars which will be in the hands of some well-known WEC faces who combine to form an impressively talented driver line up.  2017 LMP2 Driver Champion Bruno Senna (BR) and Rebellion regular Mathias Beche (CH) return to the team and will be joined by Neel Jani (CH) who started his endurance career with the team nine years ago, and former FIA WEC champion and Le Mans winner André Lotterer (DE).  After making his debut for Rebellion at Petit Le Mans in the USA in October this year, Gustavo Menezes (US) is also announced as part of the crew for the 2018-2019 Super Season. WEC 2017 Rookie of the year Thomas Laurent (FR) will bring his energy and youth to the experienced line up following an amazing first season in the WEC with Jackie Chan DC Racing.  No details have yet been revealed about the cars Rebellion Racing propose to compete with, which will be revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.

Tickets on sale for start of Super Season; 2017 in facts and figures

• 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Championship FIA
• At 12/15/2017 04:11:00 p.m.
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