24h Le Mans
The WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, second round of the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), will take place Saturday in Belgium, with the start to be given at 2:30 p.m. local time. This race is of particular interest as it serves as the final rehearsal before the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 17th and 18th.
- The two free practice sessions that took place today were dominated by the same car: the #7 Toyota TS50 HYBRID driven only by Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway after José Maria Lopez was ruled out this morning.
- The other unique aspect of these two sessions is that, behind the Japanese car, the order is 100% identical: the #2 and #1 Porsche 919 Hybrids followed by the #8 and #9 Toyota TS050 HYBRIDS!
- Two red flags came out during the second free practice. The first as a result of an incident for Kévin Estre (#92 Porsche 911 RSR) and the second for a foray into the gravel trap for Vaillante Rebellion's #13 Oreca 07-Gibson driven at the time by David Heinemeier Hansson.
- Nicolas Lapierre confirmed: "The #9 Toyota TS050 HYBRID is participating in Spa-Francorchamps with one objective, to prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For now, everything is going well. This race is very important for Toyota because we are using the low downforce aero kit and want to gather as much information as possible in race conditions."
- Vaillante Rebellion's two Oreca 07-Gibsons do not yet boast their Michel Vaillant liveries. It will not be until the 24 Hours of Le Mans that we will see the Swiss team's cars representing the comic book hero. The new Michel Vaillant edition will be released at the same time as the race, and the action takes place at Le Mans to boot!
- D’autres séries accompagnent le Championnat du Monde d’Endurance à Spa-Francorchamps ce week-end. Parmi elles, on trouve le TCR International Series et la Porsche Carrera Cup France et Benelux. Plusieurs pilotes ou écuries ayant disputé les 24 Heures du Mans sont présents comme Jean-Karl Vernay (1 participation), Tom Coronel (10 participations), Xavier Maassen (4 participations) du côté des hommes et Boutsen Ginion Racing, Sébastien Loeb Racing ou encore IMSA Performance au niveau des structures.
- Several teams, including Ford and Jackie Chan DC Racing, have affixed a #BillyWhizz sticker to their cars in support of young British driver Billy Monger who has had both legs amputated after an accident in the British F4. Ford driver Harry Tincknell has placed one on his helmet as well.
- The Belgian circuit's most famous section is the "Raidillon de l'Eau Rouge." Discover, along with Stéphane Sarrazin, driver of the #9 Toyota TS050 HYBRID, what a driver goes through as he takes on this challenge.
- The qualifying sessions will take place Friday, May 5th at 2:50 p.m. local time for the LMGTEs and at 3:25 p.m. for the LMPs. A final free practice will happen beforehand at 10:25 a.m.
Photo (Copyright - Pascal Saivet/VSA): The #7 Toyota TS050 HYBRID dominated the first two free practice sessions at the WEC Spa-Francorchamps.
