FIA WEC, at the start an amazing season
There are several similarities between Formula 1 and the WEC, World Endurance Championship that takes this Sunday with the 6 Hours of Silverstone. From the technological revolution that has affected even the top category of wheel covers, struggling with hybrid powertrains, different energy recovery systems, a new aerodynamics and a number of electronic sophistry to do with fear. Not to mention the ex-stars of Circus now present on a permanent basis in the world of endurance racing: there are thirteen at the starting line, with the likes of Mark Webber, Sebastien Buemi, Alexander Wurz and Gianmaria Bruni at all. Not to mention the quality and commitment of the great houses involved, with two Audis, Toyotas and two Porsche involved in LMP1: each with different characteristics, each child of a different conceptual philosophy. p>
Never before , probably , the level of technical challenge had gone to such high levels, generating a threshold of attention from media and fans worthy of the golden days of Endurance . Eight events on the calendar , from Silverstone in São Paulo, with the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans course to be the wet dream for many, that would be a successful season . I will once again for the Audi squad , with the team that Row Joest R18 on the E- Tron Quattro crews trained by Di Grassi - Duval- Kristensen (the latter returned from nine wins in the classic French) and Fassler - Lotterer - Tréluyer . The house of Ingolstadt has focused on a propulsion system based on a 4 -liter V6 turbodiesel , from single to double last year's KERS Mgu -K applied to the axis of the front wheels . The bad news came with the recent changes in regulations, which further detracted from the German cars in terms of the amount of fuel and energy can be produced per revolution , based on the results of recent tests held at Paul Ricard . For its part, the ambitious project Porsche chose to use a 2-liter turbocharged petrol V4 and integrated by a KERS front and Ers on a turbo , focusing on Mark Webber's desire for revenge after the last difficult seasons in Red Bull . Finally , Toyota has been entrusted to a solution characterized by a double- Kers , using a 3.7 -liter naturally aspirated V8 petrol . In short, a challenge of technology, of men, but also in mentality , which will no doubt which seem exhilarating and exciting challenge in LMP1 . As for the LMP2 class , point out the debut of the new Ligier and Dome , while GTE Ferrari and Gimmi Bruni will attempt to defend the title won with merit last season. In England, the curtain rises : the Queen is served.
Marco Privitera
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