WEC 6 hours of Spa Franchorchamps 2018 - LMP1

One of the SMP LMP1 cars fighting to stay ahead of the LMP2 cars at the start on the way down to Eau Rouge,

It was my first time at Spa Francorchamps, the first race of the WEC Super Season, and Fernando Alonso's first WEC race and win, so rather special. With the withdrawal of Porsche at the end of 2017, only Toyota remain of the manufacturer's Hybrid cars but more privateers have entered the fray with  non-hybrid LMP1 cars. The new one and a half year Super Season started at Spa with considerable excitement caused by Fernando Alonso joining the favourite's Toyota. All of the LMP1 cars that were entered are shown below in the order that they finished.

The race was spoiled a little by one of the Toyotas having a technical infringement and starting a lap behind.  In the end, with some fine driving by Conway and the others and with the help of a couple of safety car periods, it caught the other one up but team orders were in play after the last stop.  Despite the Toyotas running Le Mans type aerodynamics, the non-hybrid cars were not really competitive against the Toyotas.

However, for us spectators and amateur photographers it is the Spa circuit that is the big attraction.   What a place to visit.  Thanks to Gareth for acting as my circuit guide.  Also, what great value, as I spent less than 30 Euro for parking, entry, grandstand seats and pit walk!

1^st.  8 - Toyota Gazoo Racing – Toyota TS050 Hybrid – Alonso / Buemi / Nakajima.

The two Toyota head up from Eau Rough to Raidillon.

The winning Toyota braking into Bruxelles.

At the same corner from the other side of the track.

Alonso heading for his first win since 2013.

2^nd. 7 – Toyota Gazoo Racing – Toyota TS050 Hybrid – Conway / Kobayashi / Lopez.

Last minute preperation on the Toyota.

The second place Toyota making its way through the field after starting a lap behing.  Here it bis exiting La Source.

The Toyota heading into Bruxelles.

Toyota leads the very popular Netherlands LMP2 car through the fast Eau Rouge / Raidillon complex of corners.

A little mistake from the No.7 car at La Combes.

Toyota exiting the Les Combes complex of corners.

Toyota cutting the apex at turn eleven,

Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi concentrate on signing autographs.

3^rd. 1 – Rebellion Racing – Rebellion R13 Gibson – Jani / Lotterer / Senna.

The third placed car shoots by on the first lap.

Rebellion exiting La Source.

The Rebellion heading up to Raidillon.

4^th. 3 – Rebellion Racing – Rebellion R13 Gibson – Beche / Laurent / Menezes.

The Rebellion exiting La Source and heading down to Eau Rouge early in the race with the spectators looking on.

The second Rebellion in Bruxelles.

Rebellion car in the pits during the pit walk.

5^th. 4 – ByKolles Racing Team – ENSO CLM P1/01 Nismo – Webb / Kraihamer / Dillmann.

The single ByKolles car heading by the spectators early in the race.

The fifth placed car in Bruxelles.

The No.4 car exiting the pit lane after its first stop.

The ByKolles squad are interviewed.

LMP1 battle out of La Source,

LMP1 battle into Bruxelles.

6^th. 11 – SMP Racing – BR Engineering BR1 AER – Aleshin / Petrov.

The SMP car in turn eleven.

The No.11 car arriving for srutineering.

The two Russian drivers during the autograph session.

Retired – 17 – SMP Racing – BR Engineering BR1 AER – Sarrazin / Orudzhev / Isaacyan.

The SMP car exiting Les Combes.

Near the top of the hill at Raidillion.

The BR1 on its entry into Bruxelles.

The SMP drivers find something amusing during the autograph session.

Did not run – 5 – CEFC TRSM Racing - Ginetta G60 LT P1 Mecachrome - Robertson / Stoneman / Roussel.

The Manor run Ginettas were withdrawn due to sponsorship issues.

Did not run – 6 - CEFC TRSM Racing - Ginetta G60 LT P1 Mecachrome - Rowland / Brundle / Turvey.

This car was at Spa but did just a single installation lap before withdrawing.

Also at Spa was the DragonSpeed BRE LMP1 entry.  Unfortunately, Pietro Fittipaldi crashed it badly in qualifying, suffering multiple fractures to his legs, and thus it couldn't race on Saturday.  I wish Pietro a full and speedy recovery.


For all of the LMP2 cars at Spa, click here.

The  GT cars coming soon.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.