Porsche Team wins WEC season

Manama: Porsche Team were named the winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone in the UK on Sunday, held as the season-opening round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

The defending world champions took home the maximum points despite crossing the finish line behind rivals Audi Sport Team Joest.

However, post-race scrutineering revealed that Audi’s winning no. 7 car was not in compliance with a Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) Technical Regulation (thickness of the front skid block), and the Stewards of the Meeting decided to exclude the car from the race.

Instead Porsche’s no. 2 919 Hybrid, driven by Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb was declared the winner, while Audi have since made an appeal.

Following the decision, the no. 6 Toyota Gazoo Racing of Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi were promoted to the runner-up spot and Rebellion Racing ’s no. 13 R-One car of Matheo Tuscher, Dominik Kraihamer and Alexandre Imperatori claimed the last podium step for third overall.

The three best teams were also part of the LMP1 class’ top trio. For the LMP2 category, the winners were RGR Sport by Morand in their no. 43 Ligier JS P2–Nissan, driven by Ricardo Gonzalez, Filipe Albuquerque and Bruno Senna.

The Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance (LMGTE) Pro, AF Corse pair Davide Rigon and Sam Bird steered their no. 71 Ferrari 488 GTE to the victory.

In the LMGTE Am class it was claimed by AF Corse trio Francoise Perrodo, Emmanuel Collard and Rui Aguas.

The 2016 WEC season resumes with the WEC 6 Hours of Spa  Francorchamps on May 7.