Bahrain: The Issues by Category

LMP1: Toyota back in business?

During the last race in Shanghai, there was no contest. For once, it was to Toyota’s disadvantage. Due to the “success handicap,” the Japanese cars were outpaced by Rebellion in pure speed. And over just four hours, reliability had very little impact. In Bahrain, the situation should be different.

Rebellion’s victory in China leads to a modification of the success handicap. The Swiss team will be penalized by 1.36 seconds per lap, compared to 0.89 seconds in Shanghai. The gap with Toyota will narrow since the Japanese cars will be slowed down by 2.51 seconds for the #7 (2.74 in China) and 2.72 seconds for the #8 (2.74 in China). In the end, both manufacturers should be racing at fairly close times. Tune in during the first stint on Saturday to find out.

The circuit itself seems to suit Toyota better. I hope Bahrain will be better for us than Shanghai. notes Jose Maria Lopez (Toyota #7). I think it will be because the track is more suited to the efficiency of our car. I’m sure we can be more competitive there, so I’m looking forward to it. Rebellion will have less of a top-speed advantage. This is not the track that suits us best but it seems that the technology equivalence and success ballast will allow us to fight for victory. positive Bruno Senna.

The difference could be made on reliability, which is much more important in an 8-hour race. Since the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota has been almost flawless in this area, while Rebellion encountered several issues last season.

Regarding the championship, the race is important since it awards 38 points to the winners (compared to 25 for a 4 or 6-hour race). It should be especially crucial for Rebellion. A win would allow them to get closer to Toyota, while a third place or worse would diminish their hopes. Especially since the team will not benefit from the success handicap at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which gives 50 points to the winner.

LMP2: G-Drive as party spoilers

In November, G-Drive finished the European Le Mans series season by narrowly losing their crown. Since then? The Russian team has been biding its time and getting bored, despite participating in the Asian Le Mans series.

So to pass the time, she decided to do a stint in WEC, in Bahrain, with her leading trio composed of Roman Rusinov, the boss, double Formula E world champion Jean-Eric Vergne, and Job Van Uitert. And when G-Drive lines up for a race, it’s not just to make up the numbers.

Especially in Sakhir, where it holds three LMP2 victories, a record. On grounds it knows by heart, G-Drive will be in contention for the win. A party-crasher on the track that will be transparent in the championship, as only the cars participating throughout the year can score points.

On this side, we will watch the unfolding duel between Racing Team Nederland and Jackie Chan DC Racing. The defending champion, Alpine, has not won yet but is benefiting from its consistency to stay in the game. In an event where it has secured three poles (but no victories), the French team will want to fine-tune its performance.

As in LMP1, the race and its 38 points awarded to the winner should be crucial, as only 25 points separate the top seven teams in the championship.

GTE-Pro: Ferrari must pick up the pace

The disappointment was immense. In Shanghai, Ferrari thought they had broken their unlucky streak by winning on the track. But a disqualification deprived them of the victory. As a result, the Prancing Horse’s season still doesn’t seem to have started. After three races, the best of the two Italians (the #51 of Pier Guidi/Calado) is already 37 points behind the leader… which is almost the amount of points awarded to the winners in Bahrain. On a circuit where they hold the record for victories, Ferrari must score in Sakhir, or risk being definitively left behind.

Especially since the Porsche of Kevin Estre and Michael Christensen, the defending champions, is still just as consistent. Three races, three podiums, and a comfortable lead in the championship with a ten-point lead over the sister car.

GTE-Am: Never two without three for TF Sport?

If we rely on history, Aston Martin Racing stands out as a strong favorite with its four victories in six editions. The official Aston Martin team remains one of the leading contenders in the category, lurking in third place in the championship. But it’s another British team that’s making waves at the start of the season. With its stunning red livery, the Aston from TF Sport remains on two consecutive successes and has the potential to aim for a third.

If Aston laughs, Porsche is downcast. Project 1 and Dempsey-Proton Racing, favorites at the start of the season, have not yet won. The latter, even with two cars, are far behind in the championship. They have the opportunity to get back in the game by winning in Bahrain with its 38 points.