Following what was surely the standout race of the season in Fuji last week, the scene is now set for some of the 2016 title battles to reach their final, exciting stages while, for others, every single point will count right to the end of the season. The imposing Shanghai International Circuit is the venue for the eighth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season, the 6 Hours of Shanghai, the second of the two Asian races on the calendar.
All eyes will be on the FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Championship which Porsche should secure in China, barring major setbacks for both cars. Audi and Toyota will both be looking for further victories to boost their drivers’ title hopes, and expect another scintillating race between the leading contenders in LMP2 and the LMGTE categories. The FIA Endurance Cup for GT Manufacturers couldn’t be closer, with only three points between Ferrari and Aston Martin and that particular battle will go down to the wire in Bahrain.
With Manor being back up to its full strength two-car team now, 32 cars will be on the grid for the 6 Hours of Shanghai on Sunday 6 November. The 5.451 km (3.387 miles) circuit, situated 30km from the city centre, is tough and demanding and tricky track conditions can lead to sensationally action-packed races. Tyre choice, fuel economy, trouble-free pit stops and flawless driving all need to come into play in order to succeed at Shanghai, especially with championship positions at critical point.
Fans can expect great entertainment on and off track, including a comprehensive support race package from the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Audi R8 LMS Cup and BMW M235i Racing Cup series.
Fight for Drivers’ World Championship signals a thriller
The popular win in Japan by Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kamui Kobayashi, Stephane Sarrazin and Mike Conway closed the gap in the Drivers’ World Championship standings, with the No.2 Porsche Team crew of Neel Jani, Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb still holding a 23 point lead.
Just six points behind are Audi Sport’s Loïc Duval, Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Jarvis and they particularly will be seeking revenge for their narrow defeat at the last round. Audi’s uncharacteristic technical problems in Fuji should hopefully be a thing of the past for the No.7 crew, the trio anxious to return to the podium after disappointing races in the USA and Japan.
Rebellion Racing has secured the 2016 LMP1 Privateer title for the fifth year in succession, but ByKolles Racing Team will of course be looking to boost its 2016 season with a return to point-scoring form.
LMP2 battles to rage on
Signatech Alpine’s third place for Gustavo Menezes, Nicolas Lapierre and Stéphane Richelmi at the last round consolidated their lead in the standings, but didn’t quite put the championship crown out of the reach of nearest rivals, RGR Sport. There are 38 points between the first and second placed line ups, with 52 points on offer over the final two rounds of the season.
G-Drive Racing’s first class win of the year came in spectacular style and more of the same can be expected among at least five or six of the entries in LMP2. Strakka Racing, Manor and Tequila Patron ESM were all in the mix at Fuji and each will be pushing for their own first victory of 2016.
New to the WEC for Shanghai will be British/New Zealand former single-seater standout and current DTM driver Tom Blomqvist, who will be lining up alongside Antonio Giovinazzi and Sean Gelael in the No.30 ESM Ligier JS P2 Nissan. Making a welcome return to the championship, but both with a new team – Manor – are Roberto Gonzalez and Mathias Beche. The Mexican/Swiss duo will be driving the No.45 ORECA 05 Nissan with Tor Graves.
Likely to be a home favourite will be Chinese team Baxi DC Racing Alpine, with David Cheng and Ho-Pin Tung being of special significance to the locals. They are partnered in the Alpine A460 Nissan once again by WEC returnee Paul-Loup Chatin.
LMGTE classes set to thrill once again
There have been six different LMGTE Pro winners from seven rounds, and only 10 points separate current championship leaders, Marco Sørensen and Nicki Thiim of Aston Martin Racing, from nearest rivals, Davide Rigon and Sam Bird of AF Corse. So far this season the Italian/British drivers from Ferrari are the only pairing to have won more than once, and it is anyone’s guess who will take the class honours in Shanghai.
The gap between LMGTE Am points leaders, François Perrodo, Emmanuel Collard and Rui Aguas of AF Corse, and the second-placed line up of Paul Dalla Lana, Mathias Lauda and Pedro Lamy is now 33 points, with the Aston Martin Racing trio having taken class honours and maximum points at the last two rounds. Ferrari 458 Italia, Aston Martin V8 Vantage or Porsche 911 RSR…all challenged in Japan, and all will be in the mix again in Shanghai.
The 6 Hours of Shanghai is the closest to a home race for Hong Kong team KCMG, and Christian Ried, Wolf Henzler and Joel Camathias will be out to impress. The class also welcomes a new driver for the Chinese round: the very experienced French driver Romain Brandela makes his WEC debut for Larbre Competition in the No.50 Chevrolet Corvette C7.
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For the 6 Hours of Fuji timetable CLICK HERE
