It is crazy to think but it has been 20 months since the last FIA World Endurance Championship preview. Back then we were preparing for our second winter-spanning season that was due to start at Silverstone in September and end at Le Mans in June.
Flash-forward 20 months and a global pandemic later and the WEC is back on the traditional spring-to-autumn schedule. The LMP1 class has been retired and the Hypercar class is here. The LMP2 class has set up a Pro-Am Cup classification for teams with a bronze-driver. Meanwhile, Aston Martin has left the GTE-Pro class after taking the top two spots in the championship last season. The GTE-Am class is the largest class with 13 entries.
The Prologue test has been completed and the results are jaw-dropping. LMP2 is the fastest class despite measures taken to slow down those cars and allow the Hypercar entries to come out on top. Ahead of the season opener, it is safe to save we have no clue how this season will shake out.
Schedule
Six rounds are scheduled for this season.
Spa-Franchorcamps retains its spring date, but it will be the season opener on May 1. With a few events being shifted around, Portimão makes its debut on the WEC calendar and it will host an eight-hour race on June 13. Only month later, Monza makes its long-awaited WEC debut with a six-hour race on July 18. Portimão and Monza will become the 12th and 13th different tracks to host a WEC event. It will be WEC's first visit to Portugal and Italy as well.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans was pushed back to August 21-22 in hopes of having a crowd for this year's race. It will be the fifth time the 24 Hours of Le Mans is not held in June. The inaugural race was on May 26-27, 1923. The 1956 race was delayed seven weeks due to track renovations after the 1955 Le Mans disaster saw nearly eight-dozen fatalities. The 1968 race was held in September after civil unrest and last year's race was held in September due to the pandemic.
Fuji is scheduled to host the penultimate round of the season on September 26 and the 8 Hours of Bahrain returns in the season finale slot on November 20.
Hypercar
Toyota Gazoo Racing
#7 Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Drivers: Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, José María López
What to expect: Let's get something out of the way, the FIA and ACO will make sure the Hypercars are on top, or at least they will try. They tried ahead of the season with LMP2 entries forced to use the low downforce, Le Mans aero package at every round. At the Spa-Francorchamps Prologue test, LMP2 was still quicker. We are going to see more done. It might be too late for Spa-Francorchamps, but LMP2 is a pro-am class. While the professionals might have put those cars on top, the amateur drivers could put these cars behind the Hypercars and, despite what testing has shown, the premier class could still come out on top.
The #7 Toyota was fantastic last season. Both Toyota cars were flawless, but we are not sure how the Toyota GR010 Hybrid will do. I expect teething problems. Both cars had no serious issues at the Prologue. Both cars have veterans who can figure it out. Both cars should win a few races. If recent history tells us anything, the #7 Toyota will control the 24 Hours of Le Mans only for a blip in the final six hours to knock it back to second and put the #8 Toyota on top.
#8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Drivers: Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, Brendon Hartley
What to expect: The #7 Toyota might have won the championship, but the #8 Toyota was first or second in every race, and it won Le Mans. Only five points separated the two cars in the championship. It is hard to separate the two teams. If you ranked the six Toyota drivers, I think the #8 team has three of the top four. In that case, the #8 Toyota is the favorite on paper. Buemi and Nakajima could each join Tom Kristensen as the only drivers to win four consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans. I would not be surprised if that happened.
Alpine Elf Matmut
#36 Alpine A480-Gibson
Drivers: Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão, Matthieu Vaxivière
What to expect: Prior to testing, I thought Alpine could spoil the entire party with the grandfathered Rebellion R13 chassis, rebadged as the Alpine A480. We know what this car can do. It won two races, four pole positions and finished on the podium in all seven WEC races it started last season. However, after testing, Alpine has more than Toyota to worry about.
Let's say adjustments are made to put the Hypercar class comfortably on top, if Toyota has to work out some bugs, Alpine will be there and this lineup can win races. Lapierre might be the most underrated prototype driver in the world. Negrão and Vaxivière have proven themselves in LMP2 cars. On top of the LMP2-Hypercar disparity, you have Alpine running an old LMP1 car against a true Hypercar. Even if the FIA gets Hypercar on top, I don't think the FIA will allow Alpine to get too far ahead of Toyota. Alpine might have days where it is flat better than Toyota, but that will not be a regular occurrence.
Glickenhaus Racing
#708 Glickenhaus 007 LMH-Pipo Moteurs
Drivers: Gustavo Menezes, Oliver Pla, Richard Westbrook*
What to expect: We were all hopeful of the Glickenhaus effort would make the opening race, but a testing accident and other development issues means the team will miss the Spa-Francorchamps. We have no clue about Glickenhaus and history does not favor those cars that are slow in development. Add to it that Hypercar is mixed in with LMP2, it could be tough to watch if the team debuts at Portimão.
#709 Glickenhaus 007 LMH-Pipo Moteurs
Drivers: Ryan Briscoe, Pipo Derani, Romain Dumas, Franck Mailleux*
What to expect: Neither of the Glickenhaus driver lineups are confirmed, but credit to the team for picking up some of the top North American-based drivers with the LMP1 experience of Dumas and Menezes. Hopefully we do get to see these drivers out there because there are plenty of competitive combinations.
LMP2
Richard Mille Racing Team
#1 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Tatiana Calderón, Sophia Flörsch, Beitske Visser
What to expect: This team was not able to have a stable European Le Mans Series last year, as Katherine Legge was supposed to compete before she broke her leg in testing. Flörsch joined midseason. The results were nothing to brag about in the ELMS. I think a top five finish in class would be an achievement for this team.
High Class Racing
#20 Oreca 07-Gibson (Cup)
Drivers: Dennis Andersen, Anders Fjordbach, Jan Magnussen
What to expect: Andersen and Fjordbach have a lot of experience together, but they have not been regular contenders in LMP2 competition. Magnussen is probably the best driver Andersen and Fjordbach have partnered with. Magnussen will be contesting the full WEC season for the first time. Kevin Magnussen will replace Andersen at Le Mans. I don't see this team finishing in the top half of the class.
DragonSpeed USA
#21 Oreca-Gibson (Cup)
Drivers: Ben Hanley, Henrik Hedman, Juan Pablo Montoya
What to expect: Hanley and Montoya are a strong combination, however, DragonSpeed always finds itself just off that top level in LMP2 competition. Hedman isn't a flashy amateur driver. This could be one of the top three Cup teams, but it might only be the seventh best car in LMP2 overall.
United Autosports USA
#22 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Filipe Albuquerque, Philip Hanson, Fabio Scherer
What to expect: Albuquerque and Hanson thrashed the LMP2 field in multiple championships last year and while their third driver has changed with Scherer replacing Paul di Resta, I expect United Autosport to continue to be a force in this class. Albuquerque was at the top of testing and Hanson was not far off either. Scherer was the slowest of the three drivers, and he was 13th among the 43 LMP2 participants. I don't expect the same level of dominance, but it is hard to imagine this team falling far in the championship.
Jota Sport
#28 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Tom Blomqvist, Sean Gelael, Stoffel Vandoorne
What to expect: Blomqvist and Gelael won the two Asian Le Mans Series races they ran together while Gelael and Vandoorne were second in one of their starts together in the 2021 ALMS season. WEC is a considerable jump from ALMS, and I do not expect them to be on top from the start, but I would not be surprised if this team had multiple podium finishes and was fighting for a race victory.
#38 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Anthony Davidson, António Félix da Costa, Roberto González
What to expect: This could be the championship winner. Davidson, da Costa and González have built some rapport and they could win multiple races. Da Costa will be splitting his season with Formula E responsibilities, but he had the same schedule last year and it worked out. This trio was third in the championship last year and they had five podium finishes in the final six races.
Racing Team Nederland
#29 Oreca 07-Gibson (Cup)
Drivers: Frits van Eerd, Giedo van der Garde, Job van Uitert
What to expect: Last season started well, but Racing Team Nederland had some pedestrian results. Van Uitert is stepping up into a full-time role after a great ELMS season in 2020 with G-Drive Racing. He was the team's strongest driver in testing, ranking fourth. I think this is the top Cup team and it would not be a surprise if this team won the LMP2 class in a race or two.
Team WRT
#31 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Robin Frijns, Ferdinand von Habsburg, Charles Milesi
What to expect: Team WRT opened the European Le Mans Series season with a victory. That is a high bar to meet for its first WEC effort. Frijns is a talented driver with plenty of success in GT3 and open-wheel competition. His only prototype start was the 2018 24 Hours of Daytona with Jackie Chan DCR Jota. Habsburg is coming off a championship in the Asian Le Mans Series. Milesi is still a rather under-developed driver. I think Frijns and Habsburg will carry this lineup but that unproven third driver will keep them from winning races.
Inter Europol Competition
#34 Oreca 07-Gibson
Drivers: Alex Brundle, Kuba Śmiechowski, Renger van der Zande
What to expect: Brundle and van der Zande have loads of experience as Inter Europol Competition transitions to the world championship. While Śmiechowski won races and a championship in LMP3 machinery, he has not found success in LMP2 cars. Brundle and van der Zande are the best co-drivers he has had in this class. I think this team can compete for podium finishes.
ARC Bratislava
#44 Ligier JS P217-Gibson (Cup)
Drivers: Miro Konôpka, Darren Burke, Tom Jackson, Oliver Webb
What to expect: It is the weakest team in this class. Burke is filling in for Webb at Spa-Francorchamps, as Webb had a scheduling conflict. Burke and Konôpka won at ALMS race in the LMP3 class in 2017. Jackson has raced in British GT and was second in the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB championship last year. Konôpka is experienced but far from the top amateurs. This car will be toward the bottom of the class in every race.
Realteam Racing
#70 Oreca 07-Gibson (Cup)
Drivers: Loïc Duval, Esteban Garcia, Norman Nato
What to expect: Garcia moves up after winning a race in the ELMS LMP3 class last year and finishing third in that championship. His rookie WEC season comes with two capable co-drivers in Duval and Nato. Duval is a past world champion, and he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Nato won two races last season with Rebellion Racing and he was third in the championship. Garcia is an unknown, but I would not be surprised if Realteam Racing won the LMP2 class overall once this season.
GTE-Pro
AF Corse
#51 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi
What to expect: There are only four full-time GTE-Pro entries. There is a good chance each one will win a race. Calado and Pier Guidi had a tough season last year. They were constantly fourth. They did win at Shanghai. I am sure they will have a few good days, but I do not get the sense they could control the championship.
#52 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Miguel Molina, Daniel Serra
What to expect: If Calado and Pier Guidi were underwhelming last season, Molina's results with Davide Rigon were abysmal. They had two podium finishes but were fifth or worse in the other six races. Serra moves up from Le Mans third driver. Serra has tremendous Le Mans results. Perhaps the Brazilian lights a fire under this team.
Porsche GT Team
#91 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Gianmaria Bruni, Richard Lietz, Frédéric Makowiecki
What to expect: If you were skeptical about the Ferraris, the #91 Porsche was somehow worse than both Ferraris last season. It won the season opener at Silverstone and finished outside the top five in five of the final eight races. Bruni and Lietz had three podium finishes but were seventh in the championship. They can only improve because there are four cars in the class, but championship finish alone will not dictate if this will be a better season. Makowiecki will be the third driver at Le Mans.
#92 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Kévin Estre, Neel Jani, Michael Christensen
What to expect: Porsche has taken its best team from the championship and broke it up. Jani joins the Porsche GT program full-time in place of Christensen, who will run at Le Mans. Estre and Christiansen won twice and had four runner-up finishes last season. Jani does not have much GT competition and I only believe that knocks this team down a few pegs. Estre was fastest at the Prologue and Jani was fourth out of nine drivers. It might not be notable drop off but if it was Estre and Christensen I would crown them clear favorites.
GTE-AM
TF Sport
#33 Aston Martin Vantage AMR
Drivers: Felipe Fraga, Ben Keating, Dylan Pereira
What to expect: TF Sport is coming off a strong season where it lost the championship in the final race. Keating and Fraga have a good relationship with one another having run together at Le Mans and in IMSA competition. Pereira was second in Porsche Supercup last year. The team had a big accident in testing, but it would not be a surprised if TF Sport found itself in another championship fight.
Team Project 1
#46 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Dennis Olsen, Anders Buchardt, Axcil Jefferies
What to expect: This team will miss the opening round after an accident in testing. For the full season, Olsen is a capable driver, but this is the biggest stage for both Buchardt and Jefferies. Jefferies has plenty of endurance race experience from 24H Series competition. I don't think this car will be competing for podium finishes.
#56 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Matteo Cairoli, Egidio Perfetti, Riccardo Pera
What to expect: Perfetti was the class champion two seasons ago. Pera is coming off a respectable couple of seasons with Dempsey-Proton. Cairoli has won multiple races in WEC and the European Le Mans Series. This car was quick in testing. This is one of the class favorites.
Cetilar Racing
#47 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto, Antonio Fuoco
What to expect: Lacorte and Sernagiotto move to GTE-Am from LMP2. Fuoco won the Italian GT Endurance Championship with AF Corse. The team had the fastest lap in the first test session and was competitive for the rest of the test. I am uncertain it can put together a full season of results, but it could have a few encouraging races.
AF Corse
#54 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Francesco Castellacci, Giancarlo Fisichella, Thomas Flohr
What to expect: These three have raced with each other regularly over the last few seasons. The car showed good pace over testing. No one would be surprised if AF Corse won races, however this trio didn't even finish on the podium in WEC last season. I think that will change, but I will hold off on thinking it will be a threat over the entire season.
#83 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Nicklas Nielsen, François Perrodo, Alessio Rovera
What to expect: Nielsen and Perrodo are defending the championship while Rovera replaces Emmanuel Collard, who is going back into retirement. Collard contributed greatly and Rovera is stepping up from winning the Italian GT Endurance Championship. Testing was promising. I am not sure that team can repeat, but it should be respectable.
Iron Lynx
#60 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Matteo Cressoni, Andrea Piccini, Claudio Schiavoni
What to expect: Piccini and Cressoni were both in the top ten in testing. Schiavoni was the fourth slowest in testing. Cressoni won the 2021 ELMS season opener at Barcelona with Iron Lynx. This could be the sleeper of the season.
#85 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
Drivers: Rahel Frey, Katherine Legge, Manuela Gostner
What to expect: Legge and Frey were almost equal in testing, while Gostner was toward the bottom. Frey and Gostner had three podium finishes in ELMS last year. Legge has won races in IMSA in the GTD class. I think it will be a tough and this car could get a few top five finishes.
Dempsey-Proton Racing
#77 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans, Christian Ried
What to expect: Dempsey-Proton Racing had slightly decline last season, but I do not expect this team to be down for long. Campbell has a new young co-driver in Evans. Ried is tried and trusted. There are many good cars in this field, but I think the #77 Porsche should win at least one race. It would be no surprise if it was in the championship conversation.
#88 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Andrew Haryanto, Alessio Picariello, Marco Seefried
What to expect: The #88 Dempsey-Proton Porsche has a history of rotating drivers. I expect that to continue. Picariello was 11th among all GTE-Am drivers at the Prologue and won the ELMS GT championship last year with Ried.
GR Racing
#86 Porsche 911 RSR-19
Drivers: Ben Barker, Tom Gamble, Michael Wainwright
What to expect: GR Racing has been a regular mid-class car in GTE-AM over the last few years. The team did have a podium and top five finishes in half the races last season. I am not sure it can improve on that, but if it replicates that success, it will still be an acceptable season.
Northwest AMR
#98 Aston Martin Vantage AMR
Drivers: Augusto Farfus, Marcos Gomes, Paul Dalla Lana
What to expect: The #98 Aston Martin has been one of the staples of the GTE-Am class and it had four podium finishes last year but didn't win a race. With Farfus and Gomes in this car, I think it will be fighting at the front and should breakthrough to get a victory. If enough results fall the right way for this team, it could be hoisting silverware in Bahrain.
D'station Racing
#777 Aston Martin Vantage AMR
Drivers: Tomonobu Fuji, Satoshi Hoshino, Andrew Watson
What to expect: An Asian Le Mans Series regular, D'station is leaping to the world stage and I think it will be a tough year. It should be a learning season with the goal to make progress over each round. The Aston Martin is a good car and could help the team get a few results. If the team can pick off a few top five results that will be a successful season.
Practice begins with a 90-minute session on Thursday April 29 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Another 90-minute session will follow on Friday April 30 at 3:30 a.m. with a one-hour practice at 8:00 a.m. Qualifying will close out Friday at 12:20 p.m. with the GTE classes going first before the prototypes.
The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday May 1.
