(Episode 4/7) Highlights of WEC 2018

Isaakyan flies to the top of Eau Rouge
For a bit, it feels like we're back in the days of Mercedes Flying CLRs 24 Hours of Le Mans. One hour before the finish of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Matevos Isaakyan had the nasty surprise of finding himself upside down, at nearly 300 km/h, at the top of an Eau Rouge negotiated on the outside of the track. We've had rides that are a little less scary!

Fortunately unharmed, the 20-year-old Russian could only see the damage of its BR1 LM P1 Non-hybrid. Under fire from critics, BR Engineering and the manufacturer Dallara then made modifications to the prototype in order to increase its level of downforce.

Bruni sets GT lap record at Le Mans
Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche) doesn't like to prolong the pleasure. The Italian, all fired up, improves the best time of a GT on the 24 Hours circuit by almost four seconds on his first attempt! A time well helped by the aspiration offered in several straight lines of the route.

Perhaps too enthusiastic, the three-time GTE Pro winner at Le Mans lost control of his car a few moments after and ended his session in the gravel at the Dunlop chicane. How to go from hero to embarrassment in no time:

Toyota finally winner at Le Mans
The curse has ended for Toyota. After 19 unsuccessful participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Japanese manufacturer could have given in to fate. It was precisely through adversity that Toyota Gazoo Racing built its victory in the Sarthe, by conducting endless winter testing. All imaginable mechanical damage and incidents were submitted to the six drivers, with the aim of eliminating as much uncertainty as possible.

This commando preparation, aligned with relatively weak competition (Toyota being only the only manufacturer in LM P1 Hybrid) made it possible to sign an indisputable double, to the great joy of Kazuki Nakajima, Sébastien Buemi and Fernando Alonso.

Alonso moves closer to the Triple Crown
Accustomed to playing secondary roles in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso returned to victory lane for the first time in five years. The “Bull of Asturias”, inspired by the F1 drivers of the glorious 50s, 60s and 70s, quickly made known his desire to add the classic Le Mans to his prize list, before turning towards the Indy 500.

The Spaniard made the right choice, since he was the star of the WEC from the opening of the Super-Season in the Ardennes. Winner in Belgium, then at Le Mans, the double F1 world champion added style with a remarkable night relay. In the Hunaudières forest, the Toyota driver had caught up with his sister car.

Porsche's marketing stunt
These were the most photographed cars during Le Mans week. T-shirts bearing their image, sold in the Porsche Village boutique, were out of stock every day ! Accustomed to offering sober decorations, the Stuttgart manufacturer wanted to celebrate its 70th birthday in style.

No. 91 entrusted to Gianmaria Bruni, Richard Lietz and Frédéric Makowiecki takes on the colors of the Rothmans tobacco brand notably seen on the 959 victorious in the 1986 Paris-Dakar, or on the 956 C and 962 C, both victorious twice in the Sarthe event. The No. 92 driven by Kévin Estre, Michael Christensen and Laurens Vanthoor uses the livery “Pink Pig” seen on the 917/20 in 1971. It will be this one which will win on the track, in GTE Pro.

The Battle Bourdais-Makowiecki at Le Mans
Two beautiful GTs, on one of the most famous circuits in the world, ultra-manly driving for second place in the GTE Pro class, overtaking from the outside under braking in Indianapolis, what more could you ask for? The intense struggle between Sébastien Bourdais (on the Ford GT) and Frédéric Makowiecki (on the “Rothmans” Porsche) blew everyone away, whether in the stands, in the press room or in front of their TV. A feat, in an event that had hitherto been humbling.

And because it's the holidays, we're having fun again with the same sequence on board cameras:

No offense to Patrick Bourdais, it is the 911 which will have the last word.