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Le Mans 2012

Our Team By Team Guide

The runners are riders for the 2012 vingt quatre heures, with art by Andy Blackmore

LMP1 - Hybrid theory So many questions. Can Audi be beaten? Can the hybrids take on the petrols? Can a privateer get close?

LMP2 - Class Act With LMP1 being written off as a foregone conclusion, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth a look into LMP2 for your slice of racing action.

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GTE - No Sideshow In years past, it was argued that GTE was the class of the race. It could still be argued...

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Le Mans 2012

lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;endurance Editor: Jake Yorath Deputy editor: Dan Bathie Chief staff writer: Stephen Errity Staff writers: Jack Evans Creative director: Jake Yorath Designers: Dan Bathie Adam Pigott Staff photographers: Jake Yorath Dan Bathie Nick Busato Cover: Dan Bathie

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Photo: Jake Yorath

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Le Mans 2012

LMP 1

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A TALE OF TWO HALVES 9

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Le Mans 2012

I t’s tough at the top. Audi go into this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours as clear favourites for victory, so if one of the Ingolstadt cars does win on Sunday, they will ‘merely’ have done what was expected of them by most observers. And if they miss out on the top step of the podium for any reason, it will be seen as a shocking failure. Meanwhile, Toyota – Audi’s new rivals at the top of the LMP1 class for 2012 – have nothing to lose. Their third major Le Mans assault in 20 years is in the spotlight more than it would have been were Peugeot still around, but expectations are modest nonetheless. A run for pole position seems likely, as does pushing Audi hard in the early stages of the race, but 24 hours of trouble-free running is going to be a stretch for what is the team and the TS030 car’s debut race. As is often said, it takes three years to win Le Mans (just ask Peugeot), so this really is a season for Toyota to find their feet. It shouldn’t be forgotten, however, that most of the team members have already worked together for several years on Toyota’s F1 programme, and even before then on the previous Le Mans effort in 1998-99. And with the experienced French ORECA team providing some personnel, trackside operations should run very smoothly. Despite this, the battle for overall victory looks set to be a family affair between the two hybrid and two non-hybrid Audi R18 diesels. There’s nothing between them when it comes to fuel economy (both types of car were able to complete 12-lap stints during the test day), but if the forecast rain materialises, it seems the e-tron quattro hybrids will hold

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the decisive advantage. They were quick right out of the box at the WEC race in Spa, and had a clear speed advantage over the diesels in the wet there. “We did some setup work between Spa and the test day and the car felt totally at home when we got to La Sarthe,” said Allan McNish. “It already feels more precise and stable under braking into the Dunlop and Ford chicanes than last year.” The Scot shares the #1 R18 with Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello. The veteran Italian turns 48 on the Sunday of the race, and so has the opportunity to become the oldestever winner of Le Mans. He, too, is feeling confident, saying: “Our car is clearly better compared to last year. It’s easier to drive and provides better feedback in all areas.” With these three ‘elder statesemen’ still basking in the glow of their impressive Sebring victory, a repeat win for 2011’s stars Lotterer, Fassler and Treluyer is by no means assured. It will simply come down to which driver line-up makes no mistakes. And if the flywheel hybrid technology in the e-tron quattros gives any trouble, the pair of updated R18 TDIs are waiting in the wings. The ‘Porsche trio’ of Romain Dumas, Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Bernhard has been split up this year. Dumas now joins team newcomer Loic Duval in the #3 car, along with ex-Peugeot man Marc Gene, subbing for an injured Bernhard. ‘Rocky’ teams up with two more new Audi faces for 2012, Oliver Jarvis and Marco Bonanomi, in the #4. While this line-up is relatively unproven, they do have an ace up their sleeve in the form of race-winning engineer Howden ‘H’ Haynes. We have a sneaking suspicion that if any of the

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Le Mans 2012

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Photo: Toyota/James Moy

four Audis is going to throw caution to the wind and go flat-out from the green flag, this is it. The Audi drivers will see some familiar faces when they size up the competition, with ex-Peugeot men Alex Wurz, Anthony Davidson and Stephane Sarrazin all finding seats in the Toyotas. Wurz shares the #7 with former Oreca Peugeot driver Nicolas Lapierre and exWilliams F1 pilot Kazuki Nakajima. Davidson and Sarrazin team up in the #8, alongside Sebastien Buemi, a fixture at Torro Rosso F1 until the end of last season. “I think the test day showed us that we have plenty of potential but we still have a lot of work to do if we are to compete with the Audis,” said Davidson last week. “Test day is always a bit like a poker game, with the teams taking strategic decisions about how hard to push, so I doubt we’ve seen the best of Audi yet.” Toyota’s hybrid system uses a supercapacitor, unlike the Audi’s flywheel, and the power boost is delivered to the rear wheels, not the fronts as on the Audis. Davidson says making the most of that boost is key: “It’s not ideal if you have to lift off a bit directly after you’ve had the hybrid boost, because you lose all that momentum. So I’m careful to avoid that. There are different sensations to a normal race car, particularly when we’re harvesting energy, as this gives a different feel to the driver compared to a traditional system. It takes a bit of getting used to.” Davidson reckons the power on corner exit is really helping the Toyota’s get up to speed on the straights, and this is borne out by the trap speeds from test day. His co-driver Sarrazin owned pole position at Le Mans from 2007 to 2009, and Davidson was perhaps the outright fastest of the works Peugeot drivers, so if the #7 TS030 is all about

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Le Mans 2012

consistency, the #8 is definitely about sheer pace – will it be used a ‘hare’ to force the Audis to run as hard as possible? Don’t bet against it. Whatever happens, the camaraderie shown between the rival LMP1 works drivers during the Audi/ Peugeot era looks set to continue into the Audi/Toyota rivalry. It’s one of the things that sets endurance racing apart from F1. “I can only speak personally and say that I always respect the guys I am fighting with,” says Davidson. “We fight hard but fair. It’s a different environment to F1 – you need to get along with at least the two other drivers in your car so perhaps this breeds a different kind of driver. Also, it makes no sense to risk everything in a wheelto-wheel battle here if you have another 23 hours of racing ahead of you. I don’t think the respect we have for each other off track means we fight any less hard on it, but we are all professionals and we know the limits.” In recent years, Peugeot were often more about speed than reliability, and Audi were sometimes more about reliability than speed, but whatever the relative proportions, both qualities have been present in abundance at the top of the LMP1 class in recent times, so privateer entries haven’t really got a look in. An Audi victory this year is as close to a cast-iron certainty as is possible at

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La Sarthe. Yet unlike previous years, an Audi podium lockout – or even a works team podium lockout – is not. Total reliability from the hybrid systems over 24 hours is not yet a given, so this could give a non-works car the chance to spring a suprise. And almost every privateer entry in LMP1 has a reasonable chance of doing so. Rebellion Racing are old hands at this game, and in the short term at least, Lola going into administration is not going to hurt their on-track efforts. Nick Heidfeld has proven a valuable addition to the team alongside Neel Jani and Nicolas Prost in the #12 car, but Andrea Belicchi and Jeroen Bleekemolen in the #13 have the potential to be just as quick. Harold Primat brings money, but is no slouch and has recent LMP1 experience with Aston Martin. Henri Pescarolo’s continuing efforts to do a lot with limited resorces have resulted in one of the most interesting and unusual car line-ups of recent years. As expected, the Dome S102.5 was fast but unreliable at Spa, but the Aston Martin AMRONE-derived Pescarolo 03 could be a sleeping giant: with a reliable Judd engine and a veteran driver lineup, including Briton Stuart Hall, by keeping out of trouble it could play a bigger role than many expect. Next up are the two HPDs: both run by British teams and both having

shown considerable potential so far in 2012. It’s hard to say if Strakka’s greater experience at this level, or the combined talents of David Brabham, Peter Dumbreck and Karun Chandhok in the JRM car, will prove decisive here. The odd one out in LMP1 is OAK Racing. While their cars are fighting in the thick of it in LMP2, the French team’s P1 entry has not looked like a contender in the WEC rounds so far in 2012. Bertrand Baguette is the star driver here, while Austrian Dominik Kraihamer is fast too, but occasionally errorprone. Third driver Guillaume Moreau was seriously injured in a test-day crash, so has been replaced at short notice by Franck Montagny. Another former Peugeot driver, the Frenchman turned out for Level 5 Motorsports at the recent American Le Mans race in Laguna Seca, but he won’t be appearing for them again after blotting his copybook crashing into a GT car at the pit entry. There’s no doubting his pace, but it’s never ideal to have such a late driver change at Le Mans and it could take time for him to gel with the team. So with only OAK showing obvious signs of weakness, the unofficial title of ‘best pure petrol’ – as well as any opportunities granted by the works cars hitting trouble – are pretty much anyone’s to go for. Words: Stephen Eritty

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Le Mans 2012

Early Birds

24 hours of sweat, tears and exhilarating action. “Every second a new emotion,” so they say. The Le Mans 24 Hours, live with l’endurance. 13-17 June 2012

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Le Mans 2012

LMP 2

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HE STORY OF THE RACE ? 19

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Le Mans 2012

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t seems like only yesterday that many observers were predicting the demise of the LMP2 class in international sportscar racing, and with good reason. Most of the races were dull reliability runs, many of the cars were quite dated and the superstar drivers plied their trade in LMP1 or GT works teams. But all that has changed in the past 18 months or so. The advent of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (which has now become the World Endurance Championship) along with the ACO’s new ‘cost-capped’ rules for the category has given privateer teams the opportunity to shoot for a proper world title on a very reasonable budget. And the results speak for themselves: 20 cars will line up in LMP2 at Le Mans 2012, but it’s not just about sheer numbers this year: the field has a depth of quality that makes picking a favourite almost impossible. The fight for the class win here could be the closest of any of the race’s four categories. Cast you eye over the entry list, and one name jumps out: Nissan. The Japanese manufacturer has eschewed the big-bucks, full-works LMP1 entry of its domestic rival Toyota in favour of becoming the almost de rigeur engine supplier in LMP2. No less than 13 of the cars in LMP2 this year are powered by Nissan, and the combination of some well known established driving talent plus the interest generated by the GT Academy programme means

the company is getting a lot of exposure at La Sarthe in return for a comparatively modest financial input. The smart way for manufacturers to go sportscar racing in the 21st century? In light of Peugeot’s highprofile exit, it would seem so. With so many strong entries in LMP2, it seems easier, if a little harsh, to start off by pointing out some of the crews who are unlikely to appear on the class podium shortly after 4pm on Sunday. Gulf Racing Middle East got noticed for all the wrong reasons at the most recent WEC round in Spa, with team investor Frederic Fatien breaking his ankle while practicing driver changes before the race, alleged pro driver JeanDenis Deletraz making a catalogue of errors and Japanese lady racer Keiko Ihara not distinguishing herself either. The team’s other Lola coupe features a much more solid line-up, including former race winner Stefan Johansson, but overall the squad has yet to demostrate the necessary technical and tactical prowess to run at the front of this competitive class. Another Lola coupe team unlikely to trouble the frontrunners is the Lotus-badged #31 entry. Although the car is run by former F1 man Colin Kolles’ experienced organisation, there’s no real standout talent in the driver lineup of Thomas Holzer, Mirco Schultis and Luca Moro, and that’s just not going to cut it when you look at the calibre of drivers elsewhere in LMP2. The there’s the French Extreme Limite ARIC team. In many

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Le Mans 2012

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ways, this is a spiritual successor to longstanding fan favourites WR Racing. Like Gerard Welter’s efforts in years gone by, this entry is being run on a shoestring budget by a team determined to persevere with an ‘unfashionable’ car choice – the Judd-engined Norma M200. They’ve done well to bounce back from a serious shunt at Spa, and will more than likely still be running when the flag falls on Sunday, but front-running pace is just not there. After this, it becomes genuinely difficult to rule anyone out of at least a podium finish. There are some who will need a bit of luck on their side, such as Michel Frey, Ralph Meichtry and Jonathan Hirschi of the Swiss Race Performance team. Their main handicap is the Judd engine in the back of the proven Oreca 03 chassis – not that it’s a sub-par powerplant, it’s just that so far this season, the Nissan motor has simply looked stronger. And while the #41 Greaves Motorsport entry features last year’s race winning ZytekNissan chassis-engine combination, gentlemen driver Christian Zugel will struggle to match the pace of Ricardo Gonzalez and the very accomplished Elton Julian. You need to look to the #42 car, driven by none other than 1990 race winner Martin Brundle, his quick and level-headed son Alex and inaugural GT Academy winner Lucas Ordonez, to find Greaves’ best chance of repeating last year’s LMP2 class triumph. Signatech are the other two-car, Nissan-engined big guns. Ordonez’s successor as GT Academy winner, Frenchman Jordan Tresson, is on the driving strength of the #23 car, along with star-in-the-making Olivier Lombard and solid pair of hands Franck Mailleux. The sister #26

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machine will be piloted by Pierre Ragues, Nelson Panciatici and Roman Rusinov – not as quick on paper as the other three, perhaps, but still capable of bringing the car home in the first few positions if things go their way. The British JOTA Sport team are the only other outfit besides Greaves to run the Zytek chassis. They too have paired it with Nissan power, and the combination’s potential was well and truly confirmed by victory in the WEC round at Spa. Team investor Simon Dolan has actually been more impressive than his professional codriver Sam Hancock so far this year, and his performance at Spa has put him into the top tier of sportscar amateurs. They’re joined for the big race by Haruki Kurosawa, who brings strong Le Mans and Super GT form to the table. OAK Racing have split their engine allegiances in this class: the #24 car of team boss Jacques Nicolet and talented young guns Mathieu Lahaye and Olivier Pla is powered by Judd, while the more recently entered #35 machine of GT racing duo Bas Leinders and Maxime Martin, plus impressive Danish amateur David Heinemeier Hansson, has made a late switch from Judd to Nissan. That could be what defines their race, as the driver lineups are very well matched. Pla vs Martin is a mouthwatering prospect; Leinders and Lahaye will provide solid backup; plus Nicolet and Hansson are two of the more accomplished gentleman drivers on the grid. ADR-Delta are a single-car team, but with the favoured Oreca-Nissan combination and a very strong performance in Spa under their belt, they carry plenty of momentum to La Sarthe. Exactly the same can be

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Le Mans 2012

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Photo: Dan Bathie

said for Murphy Prototypes, only here the driving talent really stands out, with Le Mans veteran Warren Hughes, young Kiwi hotshoe Brendon Hartley and capable amateur Jody Firth looking ready for a big result. The Belgian Boutsen Ginion and French Thiriet by TDS Racing squads are also running single Oreca-Nissans, but while the latter boasts the Le Mans experience of Christophe Tinseau and a recent ELMS win for Mathias Beche and Pierre Thiriet, the Boutsen team have yet to show their true potential this year and will need to up their game slightly to stay in touch. The last of the one-car Oreca-Nissan efforts is Pecom Racing. Team owner Luis Perez-Companc had an embarrassing crash in Spa, but the car was on the LMP2 podium at the preceding round in Sebring. With former works Audi driver Pierre Kaffer and 10-time Le Mans 24 Hours starter Soheil Ayari alongside hime, Perez-Companc has everything at his disposal to score a significant result here – he just needs to keep it on the island. Finally, we have two American HPD entries, from Level 5 and Starworks, plus the most competitive of the Lola coupe teams: Status Grand Prix. The latter outfit has run cars successfully on behalf of Level 5 in the past, but this year goes it alone with an impressive driver lineup consisting of Dutch single-seater convert Yelmer Buurman (one of the most impressive new arrivals to sportscars in 2012), British McLaren GT factory driver Alexander Sims and experienced if unspectacular Frenchman Romain Ianetta. Sims’ confidence will have been knocked by a huge free practice crash in Spa, but the team has shown good pace already this year despite limited testing, and will be a good outside bet for a podium if some of

the Oreca-Nissan juggernaut falls by the wayside. Starworks had a dream start to their WEC campaign, getting on the overall podium at Sebring, but those dizzy heights won’t be reached at Le Mans, particularly now that superstar driver Stephane Sarrazin has departed for Toyota. But his replacement Tom Kimber-Smith is no slouch, while both Scottish pro Ryan Dalziel and team funder Enzo Potolicchio seem to get better with every race they enter. There’s really very little in it between this car and the Level 5 line-up of Scott Tucker, Luis Diaz and Christophe Bouchut – both can run at the sharp end and have the reliability to tough it out to the finish. So there we have at – a pundit’s nightmare, really. Plenty of drivers who would not be out of place in a works LMP1 seat, plenty of more than competent gentlemen racers with big ambitions – and almost all of them driving fast, proven equipment run by top-notch teams. Our predicition is simple: it’s going to be close, with plenty of these cars staying on the lead lap, or just off it, for much of the race. And as for an overall winner? It’s just not possible to pick one, but if circumstances allow the cream to rise to the top, we should see the #23 Tresson/ Mailleux/Lombard Signatech and #42 Brundle/Brundle/Ordonez Greaves cars go down to the wire for the class win. But watch out for the #35 OAK Racing crew of Hansson/Leinders/ Martin, the quietly effective Murphy Prototypes trio of Firth, Hartley and Hughes, or perhaps one of the HPD teams to spring a surprise.

Words: Stephen Eritty

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Le Mans 2012

GTE

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Photo: Nick Busato

GRAND ADVENTURE 29

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Le Mans 2012

Photo: Nick Busato lendurance.co.uk

TE Pro this year is all about quality—not quantity. Eighteen cars were entered in the class in 2011. Nine are entered now. But not one can be ruled out for victory. Every single manufacturer is the rival of every other. It’s not just Ferrari vs. Porsche, but Ferrari vs. Porsche vs. Corvette vs. Aston Martin, all brands with experience and sharp factory drivers. While there may be more prototypes, we can’t forget where sportscars’s best racing comes from. From Hour 1 to 24, don’t expect any gaps. The most notable loss from last year’s grid is the pair of factory BMW’s. While BMW North America still keeps two M3’s present in the ALMS, the German HQ has allocated all Le Mans resources to DTM. Stateside rivals Corvette must be breathing a sigh of relief. Where one full factory program has

gone, another has arrived in force. Aston Martin brings two V8 Vantages, one an all-Danish GTE Am entry, but more on that later. The Pro effort showcases Aston’s real dedication to WEC wins; Stefan Mücke, Darren Turner, Adrian Fernandez are the brand’s best.Both car and drivers have capability to lead races, as at Sebring at Spa; but time-consuming mechanical problems and poor circumstance has both times dropped them right down the order. If obstacles have been worked around in the testing and development since Belgium, however, there’s no reason they can’t stay up at their true pace. That said, no GTE car is as unpredictable as the Vantage; it will remain until Hour 24 to be seen. Considered by many to be the favorite team this year is returning winner Corvette Racing. Proven in the ALMS (albeit less than the North American BMW’s), the two ‘Vettes

and their drivers are formidable. The C6 ZR1, to be exact, has ironed out every regular reliability problem since it’s 2009 inception into GT2spec. It’s now as consistent as the decades-old Porsche 911, perhaps even more so. The #73 has Jan Magnussen, 2011 winner Antonio Garcia, andrecent additionJordan Taylor on board. This lineup finished second at Sebring in March. Car #74 has Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Richard Westbrook. There’s no denying Gavin’s skill, or Milner’s important role in winning his rookie Le Mans last year. Nor is their any denying Westbrook, of anything on track. His tenacious style balanced by experienced patience and surprising calm have made his past few years of racing hugely successful. Another duo at the forefront is AF Corse,“the” Ferrari team. #51 458 Italia is driven by the second-place

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Le Mans 2012

finishers of the 2011 24: Giancarlo Fisichella, GianmariaBruni, and Toni Vilander. This seasonhas been highlighted only by a narrowly-lost victory at Spa for the two Italians of the squad (Giancarlo and Gianmaria, in case you hadn’t guessed). At Sebring they suffered 458-typical electrical problems. While they’ve certainly been the fastest in the past, their best hope in such a competitive Le Mans grid is in consistency. The #71 has so far brought more success to the team in 2012. They won the GTE Pro class at Sebring, but finished behind two ALMS GT cars, notably, a Corvette. Still, as first of the WEC entries, full points were collected.Marco Cioci isn’t new to AF Corse or the Ferrari and was pivotal at Sebring. So too was Andrea Bertolini, successful Maserati pilot and actually a rookie at La Sarthe. And the third part of Corvette’s Le Mans win last year can be found here as well. It’s Olivier Beretta, dropped from his adopted American team and now thriving an Italian one. He and Bertolini did well together at Spa, but the whole of car 71 will be looking over their shoulders… ...At their cousins, Luxury Racing. It’s a team with plenty of resources, including familiar Ferrari names likeFrédéricMakowiecki, Jaime Melo, andDominikFarnbacher. Makowiecki is simply incredible, in all sportscars. Moving on. Brazilian Melo is often confused as still being a Ferrari factory driver, but was actually dropped last year, finding a home with the team almost as red as AF Corse or RisiCompetizione. DominikFarnbacher can be found in Ferrari teams all over the world— he knows the car well. This may be his last Le Mans with the Prancing Horse though, depending on the development of the Dodge Viper ALMS program he’s tipped to front. The presence of the JMW Motorsport “art car” makes four

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Ferraris in the Pro class. Designed by a fan to look like a flo-vizzed wasp wrapped in crime scene tape, the JMW again brings back the concept of the yellow 458. While James Walker and Jonny Cocker won their first ELMS race at Le Castellet, that doesn’t give much indication as to how they’ll do against eight top GT teams. Those two have experience, Walker in open-wheel feeder series, Cocker in Drayson Racing’s GT1 and LMP1 program. Less can be said about Roger Wills, his role in the team is more on the funding side. While they may not win in class, they’ll certainly make for some nice photos. The final manufacturer in GTE Pro is, of course, Porsche. Both cars are heavily supported by Stuttgart in their respective series, but it’s Team Felbermayr Proton that’s done the best this year. Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz were the two the relegated AF Corse to second at Spa by mere seconds, providing a refreshing return to the top step by Porsche since the growth of other GT car programs. They’re joined here by ALMS team Falken Tire’s Wolf Henzler. Flying Lizard brings another Porsche and three more factory pilots, JörgBergmeister, Patrick Long, and Marco Holzer. The Lizards have never had much luck at Le Mans, and the fact that they seemed to have peaked in the ALMS back in 2009 doesn’t bode well either. It will take some better setting-up of the newmodel 911 plus a contact-free run to place them up near the top. These nine cars constitute a fight that is not seen in the top classes. Their drivers are just as good as those who front newspapers on Monday morning. But that’s the only problem, all are that good, a winner can’t be chosen. Not now, at least. GTE Am doesn’t have the acrossthe-board competition of its more prominent brother, but does have greater numbers. Still, the same four

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Le Mans 2012

Photo: Jake Yorath

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manufacturers will battle out, and there’s certainly a possibility of a single brand sweeping both GTE subcategories. The best chance at that most likely lies with Corvette, as their frontrunning Pro squad is bolstered by one of the best full privateer squads on the grid, Larbre Competition. Their point car is a C6 ZR1 driven by Ex-Peugeot, Ex-BMW Pedro Lamy and Larbre regulars Julien Canal and Patrick Bornhauser. The latter two are defending GTE Am winners, and the three together will likely stand on the podium, if not the top step. A second, all-French ‘Vette will feature Christophe Bourret, Pascal Gibon, and Jean-Philippe Belloc. In yet another class, Corvette will feel the pressure of Aston Martin. The lighting-quick Allan Simonsen, GT1 racer ChristofferNygaard, and 2009 LMP2 winner KristianPoulsen will drive an all-Danish Gulf Vantage run mostly by members of the closely tied Young Driver team. Again, the reliability of the Aston will be tested, and they are certainly outnumbered, but with such a strong lineup for an Am car and proven pace in the machinery (plus scores of automatic fans courtesy Tom Kristensen), the Danes are in a good position. Ferraris seem popular this year, they outnumber Porsches 9:7. In GTE Am, arguably their most capable team is the second Luxury machine. Familiar to sportscars, to say the least, is Pierre Ehret. Gunnar Jeannette and Frankie Montecalvo represent the American Le Mans Series’ Core Autosport alongside. They face competition from their own teammates over in the Am AF Corse car, with PiergiuseppePerazzini, Matt Griffin, and Nicola Cadei onboard. These three will likely spend their weekend finding pace, though, instead of setting it. There is one more AF Corse, sort of. It’s an AF Corse-Waltrip; yes, Michael Waltrip. Only as a favour to the team, he’s not driving. That leaves the unnecessarily controversial Robert Kauffman (disqualified last year for being unfortunately near a

crashing Audi at night) with team ace RuiAguas and, because there always needs to be at least one, NASCAR driver Brian Vickers. Respectable pace and a clean result would be nice to see for the garish, starred-andspangled 458. One more Ferrari that must be mentioned is Tracy Krohn’s usual pale-lime car. Nothing new here, the team owner joins NicJonsson and Michele Rugolo, and then they do well in the race, maybe even podium. Unless catastrophe strikes, they’ll be in line to capitalize on all rival mistakes. The Porsches of GTE Am are all at least as old as last year, per regulations. This means no widebodied, super-intake-y 2012 911’s, but amidst criticism of the new model developments that may not be as much of a disadvantage as it seems. Flying Lizard team owner Seth Neiman again brings a second Am car to drive himself, but usual comrade Darren Law was recently replaced by Patrick Pilet, due to a scheduling conflict. Privateer to Porsche pro is definitely an upgrade for the Lizards. Their third driver is North American star Spencer Pumpelly. If there was ever a year for Neiman to win Le Mans… Other representations are Felbermayr’s solid second car, IMSA Performance Matmut’s talented French entry, and a Prospeed Competition machine that bears Porsche Supercup star Sean Edwards in his first Le Mans, as well as a Saudi prince. When eyes were on diesel machines breaking distance records in years past, these teams and drivers fought as hard for a podium that comes hours after the first confetti shower. With all eyes on them now, inches separating each other in competition, GTE will show us Le Mans racing in another world—miles behind, but right on the edge. Words: Jack Evans

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The Guide Every team, every car, every driver. What are their chances? Jake Yorath looks deeper.

Team Name (Nationality) Car make & model

Indicates World Endurance Championship full season entry.

@Twitter_Name

57 Driver Name (NAT) Driver Name (NAT) Driver Name (NAT)

65%

Tyres. Progress bar shows our opinion on the performance relative to the class, plus a helpful percentage score. ACO driver category: Platinum. Gold. Silver Bronze

class divide

1 LMP 1 26 LMP 2 51 GTe pro 81 GTe AM 0 Garage 56

LMP1 is the top class in Le Mans racing. Purpose built prototypes with engines up to 3.4 litres aspirated petrol, 2.0 litres turbo petrol and 3.7 litre turbo diesel. Red door card, numbers 1-25. LMP2 is the second class, featuring purpose built cars with a cost cap: cars must cost less than 400,000 Euro. Each car must feature at least one gentleman (non professional) driver. GTE Pro is the top production based category at the 24. The cars must share a basic resemblance and some components with their road car cousins. The Pro class features all professional drivers. GTE Am share the same technical regulations as GTE Pro, but the car must be at least one year old. Driving teams must feature at least two amateur drivers. Garage 56 is reserved for a car that showcases new and innovative technology. The DeltaWing is invited for this year, with the ACO hoping it will lap between LMP1 and LMP2 pace.

P1 LMP Entries

Audi Sport Team Joest (DEU) Audi R18 e-tron quattro

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95%

Marcel Fässler (CHE) André Lotterer (DEU) Benoît Tréluyer (FRA)

95% If Audi were favourites in 2011, they’ve brought an M1 Abrams to a knife fight in 2012. Closest rivals Peugeot canned their program and Audi were offered a fourth garage, too. They bring four cars, the first two being e-tron quattro hybrid cars. Before the cars debuted at Spa, most pundits expected teething trouble from the brand new machine, and there was a little - but not a great deal. In the rain, particularly, they were magnificent, despite the rules saying that their front (electric) driven wheels can only receive power about 70mph. It is likely that Audi did not show the full efficiency advantages of the car at Spa, and cynics would say they won’t

Allan McNish (GBR) Tom Kristensen (DNK) Dindo Capello (ITA)

unless challenged at Le Mans, either. But it’s got pace and the car didn’t skip a beat last season - the drivers were to blame for its various retirements. If they have any doubts about the cars they are small, because their ‘star’ crews both drive e-trons. Last year’s winners have moved on from being the team’s outsiders to arguably their best hope, with Benoît Tréluyer and André Lotterer in particular impressing. Small question marks still hover over Marcel Fässler’s ability to hold his own in this company, but that is nit picking at molecular level. Alongside them in car #2 are the golden trio - McNish, Capello and Kristensen. Kristensen’s

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Audi Sport Team Joest & North america (DEU) Audi R18 ultra

@audi__sport

95%

Marc Gené (ESP) Roman Dumas (FRA) Loïc Duval (FRA)

90% class still oozes but cracks have begun to appear in the line up, not the least of which being McNish’s series of very clumsy manoeuvres during 2011, including that famous crash. Still, it’s hard to argue with the depth of experience these three bring and, having had a winter to relax, McNish has seemingly come back calmer. It’s certainly a possibility that the two R18 Ultras go into the race as back up for their more spangly and easily marketable electric cousins, but both have impressive line ups. The #3 car is arguably stronger, with a depth of experience most teams would kill for. Porsche loanee Romain Dumas is back, and joined by one of France’s best young sportscar racers -

Oliver Jarvis (GBR) Marco Bonanomi (ITA) Mike Rockenfeller (DEU)

Loïc Duval. He was the star of Oreca’s triumph at Sebring in 2011, and has been snapped up by Audi, surely with an eye to the future. They’re joined by ex-Peugeot man Gené, who replaces the injured Tim Benhard. He’s experienced and should show well - he anchored a win at Spa. The final Audi also has a forward looking line up. Italian GT star and last year’s reserve driver Marco Bonanomi is joined by Brit Oliver Jarvis. Both make their Le Mans debut, but drove solidly to a podium at Spa. The last seat belongs to 201 winner Rockenfeller, who has a lot to bring to the line up and a lot to teach the younger guys. Audi are better than evens to win Le Mans.

Toyota Racing (JPN) Toyota TS 030 - Hybrid

@Toyota_Hybrid

85%

Alexander Wurz (AUT) Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) Kazuki Nakajima JPA)

85% It is with open arms that Japanese auto giant Toyota is welcomed back to Le Mans. They’ve been enticed by reasonably favourable waters for hybrid technology and a chance to (partially, at least) repair the damage done by an impressively mediocre spell in Formula One. Their intent was signalled right through the project with a series of sensible appointments their main operations partner is Oreca, who are as good as it gets without being Joest Racing, and their first signed driver was Alex Wurz. The Austrian has a reputation as one of the best testers in the world and was also just about the rock of the Peugeot team - and won Le Mans with the French outfit in 2009, as well as on his first start in 1995. He will drive the #7 car, and is joined by one known quantity and one unknown. The impressive young Frenchman Nicolas Lapierre, who shared with Audi’s Duval at Oreca in 2011, winning Sebring on the way, is joined by Japanese Kazuki Nakajima. He went to the Williams F1 team (coincidentally replacing Wurz) on the back of Toyota backing and though he showed occasional flashes, was not massively

Anthony Davidson (GBR) Sébastien Buemi (CHE) Stéphane Sarrazin (FRA) impressive - he will need to learn a lot from his team mates if he is to shine. The #8 Toyota has the fastest line up on the grid. Anthony Davidson was the stand out driver from Le Mans last year and deserved to win, while Stephane Sarrazin has set the pole here three times for Peugeot and is probably the quickest single lap driver at the event. Don’t bet against him putting this car on pole. They’re joined by Sebastien Buemi, who has admitted he’s really only driving here to get hybrid experience and return to F1 - he’s the Red Bull Racing F1 test driver and is not short of pace. This car could conceivably be in a position lead the race until something breaks. The car itself is pretty much an unknown quantity. Politics have allowed this car to skip both previous rounds of the WEC and it will make its debut at Le Mans. The test day showed it has pace, but it has reportedly struggled to complete endurance test runs. Its economy against the e-tron could be fascinating, if you’re into that kind of thing, with the petrol car getting a bigger tank. Here’s the cliché it’s probably a year or two too soon for Toyota to win Le Mans.

Rebellion Racing (CHE) Lola B10/60 Toyota

@RebellionRacing

12 70%

Nicolas Prost (FRA) Neel Jani (CHE) Nick Heidfeld (DEU)

13 70% It’s a shame that this is Lola’s last ever chance of a podium at Le Mans - and there’s at least four cars more likely to take the three slots, if not six. The chassis is not terrible, but it’s no match for the purpose built works cars. The Toyota engine is also a lesser spec than its works equivalent. The team is not short of experience but there’s the constant niggle that reliability is a worry - neither car finished Sebring without major drama (though they were old chassis), but they

Andrea Belicchi (ITA) Jeroen Bleekemolen (NLD) Harold Primat (CHE)

were first petrol home at Le Mans last year. Two of that three car team return in #12, with Prost improving year on year and Jani continuing his impressive run of form in sportscars. They’re joined by Nick Heidfeld, who was surely made for this kind of racing and has fitted right in. The second car is marginally weaker, though Belicchi is still extremely rapid and Bleekemolen and Primat have bags of experience. This car is not a Lotus and it isn’t sponsored by John Player Special.

OAK Racing (FRA) Oak Pescarolo Judd

@OAKRacingLive

15 65% OAK’s Le Mans preparation took a late blow with the crash at the test day. Aside from the delay to their running, driver Guillaume Moreau was injured and is out of Le Mans. The line up has been strong all season, and is unlikely to be harmed by experienced ex

Franck Montagny (FRA) Bertrand Baguette (BEL) Dominik Kraihamer (AUT)

Peugeot man Montagny joining at the eleventh hour. He joins ex F1 tester and IndyCar star Baguette and Kraihamer, who was impressive with Boutsen and later Oreca in LMP2 last year. The car, however, is not cutting edge and has shown weakness on the reliability front.

PESCAROLO TEAM (FRA)

Pescarolo 03 Judd / Dome S102.5 Judd

@pescaroloteam

16 55%

Emmanuel Collard (FRA) Jean-Christophe Boullion (FRA) Stuart Hall (GBR)

17 75% In reality, Pescarolo Team’s effort is one totally split - so let’s start on the Pescarolo 03 side of the garage. The surprise of the winter was that two manufacturers wanted a piece of the (frankly, abysmal) AMR-One, and Pescarolo was one of them. Considering their astuteness and experience it seemed an odd choice - though the car is heavily revised. It features the obligatory engine for the build-at-home constructor, the Judd, and compromised aero - chief designer Nicolas Perrin wanted a coupe, ideally. On the driving side, Emmanuel Collard and Jean Cristophe Boullion return, the veteran pairing able to bring vast knowledge of La Sarthe and solid pace to the team. Stuart Hall was a late addition to the team, squeezing out Julien Jousse - Jousse got mad, and had the cars impounded. He lost his court case and, in doing so, probably his racing career. It’s a complicated story, but revolves around Roald

Nicolas Minassian (FRA) Seiji Ara (JPN) Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) Goethe, who bailed the project out and backs Hall. Having not raced yet, don’t expect it to trouble the podium, but expect it to still be running. On the other side of the garage is the fantastically beautiful Dome S102.5. The car is essentially the S102 that was entered in 2008, though the engine has been swapped and regulatory changes have been made. It is here because Dome are annoyed Toyota didn’t come to them to race at Le Mans, and the team are basically here to go very quickly and prove Toyota made a mistake. It features a fast line up - Nic Minassian and Sebastien Bourdais are both right out of the top drawer of Le Mans racing drivers and Seiji Ara won Le Mans in 2004 - but it is unlikely he would be racing had Dome not insisted on a Japanese driver. Expect it to be fast.

Strakka Racing (GBR) HPD ARX 03a Honda

@StrakkaRacing

21 75% Strakka, like all the HPD teams, have not quite been where many had hoped they would be in terms of pace this season. The new car has certainly not been slow, but it has not shown the pace that took its predecesor to a Sebring podium in 2011. In fact, the LMP2 has scored more overall podiums in the WEC this season. Still, the British line up is strong. Team owner Leventis has come on in leaps and bounds where his previous form included a significant number of accidents, he’s cut them out and does not embarrass himself in this company.

Danny Watts (GBR) Johnny Kane (GBR) Nick Leventis (GBR) It is strong company. Brits Watts and Kane are incredibly rapid, and both are super solid. There aren’t many faster drivers on the grid. As for the team, Strakka probably have a slight advantage in experience over their HPD cousins, with a weight of knowledge - this will effectively be their fifth Le Mans start, and they’re a smart outfit. Barely getting the car before its debut at Sebring didn’t help their cause, but more testing and race time has improved their understanding. Possibly favourite for privateer honours.

JRM (GBR)

HPD ARX 03a Honda

@JRM_Racing

22 70% JRM’s learning year has been anything but simple. The team arrived at Sebring having barely seen the car, let alone driven it, so they’ve been playing catch up all season. They might be the FIA GT1 World Champions, but that’s a kettle of fish far removed from the WEC and it’s shown - the HPD is a different proposition. On paper, their line up is as strong as any on the grid. David Brabham may not be quite as fast as he has been in the past, but he’s a Le Mans winner and an extremely solid performer.

David Brabham (AUS) Peter Dumbreck (GBR) Karun Chandhok (IND) Dumbreck is a class act, who returns to the top class for the first time since arriving at Mulsanne Corner upside down and in the sky for Mercedes in 1999. The final driver is an interesting addition to the WEC. Indian Karun Chandhok faltered a little in Formula One, but has adapted reasonably well to sportscars and is fitting in well with the team, learning quickly from his team mates. His progress could be interesting to see. Despite a strong driver line up, the team’s lack of experience at this level may well show.

Highcroft Racing (USA) DeltaWing Nissan

@highcroftracing

9 inches Ah, Delta Wing. This is probably the most ‘out there’ Le Mans project since BRM put a jet engine in a tin can (it was better than the H16, at least). Batman jokes and innuendo aside, this is a worthy effort with a big idea behind it - the car is significantly more efficient than even its hybrid cousins.

Michael Krumm (DEU) Marino Franchitti (GBR) Satoshi Motoyama (JPA)

So as not to embarrass anyone prematurely, the ACO have made sure the car is not too fast (just ahead of LMP2 is the plan). Expect it to spend a lot of time in the box, though - it’s may well need a lot of attention to keep it going for 24 hours. The line up is solid, but with nothing to race against - one for the future..

Signatech Nissan (FRA) ORECA -Nissan 03

@signaturerace

23 80%

Jordan Tresson (FRA) Frank Maillieux (FRA) Olivier Lombard (FRA)

26 65% Signatech were on the podium here last year after leading for a good portion of the race. The Oreca Nissan is stronger than it was in 2011, reliability wise, but the class opposition has caught up on pace. GT Academy winner Jordan Tresson is joined by experienced Frank Maillieux and rapid Olivier Lombard (who impressed with Greaves

Pierre Ragues (FRA) Nelson Panciatici (FRA) Roman Rusinov (RUS)

last year) to make an all French team. They could be one of the class favourites, but have been pretty underwhelming so far this season. The second car has a rather less stellar line up, and though Ragues is fast, Rusinov can be a little wild, as he proved at Reiter Lamborghini a few years back and Panciatici is an average-atbest single seater driver.

Oak Racing (FRA)

OAK Morgan Judd / Morgan Nissan

@OAKRacingLive

24 70%

Olivier Pla (FRA) Matthieu Lahaye (FRA) Jacques Nicolet (FRA)

35 80% OAK are running two cars again in P2, and their package will be one of the best around the Sarthe circuit. The pink car has made a late switch to Nissan power, which is definitely to their advantage. The #24 has the biggest ace - Olivier Pla. He’s as good as it gets in a sportscar and ran right at the front at Sebring against arguably stronger machinery. Team mate Lahaye didn’t

Bas Leinders (BEL) Maxime Martin (BEL) David-Heinemeier Hansson (DNK)

embarrass himself in LMP1 last season and will show well while Nicolet is a gentleman through and through. The second car features Blancpain Endurance pacesetters Leinders and Martin, the latter particularly rapid - he’s been by far and away the fastest in the GT series. Bronze rated Heinemeier Hansson has proved to be very, very good in a short time.

ADR DELTA (GBR) ORECA 03 Nissan

@ADR_Delta

25 75% ADR Delta turned out to be a strong surprise package at Spa, with pole and a second place finish that was oh-so-nearly the win. It was Martin who set the pole at Spa, and his pace was good in the race too. He’s got a host of single seater experience and has taken to sportscars extremely well. Kerr is one of

Robbie Kerr (GBR) John Martin (AUS) Tor Graves (GBR)

Martin’s old A1GP sparring partners, and has a chunk of back data having raced here with Zytek in the past. Tor Graves is a well versed amateur drivier with good knowledge to call on in the class. Young team, but could put up a strong challenge on race day.

GULF RACING MIDDLE EAST (UAE) Lola B12/80 Nissan

28 55%

Fabien Giroix (FRA) Ludovic Badey (FRA) Stefan Johansson (SWE)

29 20% It’s hard to say much about Gulf Racing Middle East without being rude. To say it’s been a tough year for the team would be right on the nail. Where to start? Some of the antics performed by their drivers this season would be funny were they not dangerous - the #29 was not allowed to start at Sebring and Deletraz belied his previous

Keiko Ihara (JPN) Jean-Denis Delatraz (CHE) Marc Rostan (FRA)

experience with an idiotic spin and recovery at Spa that left jaws open all over the paddock. Ex grid girl Ihara is slow, while Rostan’s Le Mans experience is as a perenial backmarker. He replaces Frederic Fatien, who broke his ankle practicing pitstops at Spa. At least Giroix, Johansson and Badey are not dangerous - they’re just not very fast.

Status Grand Prix (IRL) Lola B12/80 Judd

@StatusGrandPrix

30 70% Status have miraculously recovered from a terrifying shunt at Spa to line up at Le Mans in extremely good shape. Though they’re running the unfancied Lola Judd package, which is probably not on the absolute pace, their drivers are. Alex Sims was the 2008 McLaren Autosport BRDC award winner, and the mistake at Spa is

Alexander Sims (GBR) Yelmer Buurman (NLD) Romain Iannetta (FRA)

uncharacteristic. Buurman has revitalised his career since appearing at the final round of the GT1 series in 2011 and has shown a tremendous turn of speed coupled with consistency. Iannetta is the ‘amateur’ of the group but is not short of experience - though he’ll be hoping not to recreate the stunt sequences for which he is also famous.

LOTUS (DEU)

Lola B12/80 Lotus

Thomas Holzer (DEU) Mirco Schultis (DEU) Luca Moro (ITA)

55% Colin Kolles’ Kodewa team put on a Lotus suit over the winter, and become the third Lotus on the grid that is in no way a Lotus. In reality, it’s a Lola Judd just like the Status car. The team’s sole entry is not much to shout about. Holzer (cousin of Porsche driver Marco)

is another average single seater driver who’s moved to sportscars, while Schultis will be on ground he knows well if he goes off - he’s a Dakar rally driver. Luca Moro was banned in 2007 for a positive drugs test, but has a lot of GT experience.

Level 5 motorsports (USA) HPD ARX 03b Honda

@Level5Racing

33 80% Whatever the political storm around Level 5, with rumours of legal action and seizing of assets, the team is still a strong force. They may not have much opposition in the ALMS, but that doesn’t take away from solid performances. They were right in the hunt to take an overall podium at Sebring and have won every round of

Scott Tucker (USA) Christophe Bouchut (FRA) Luis Diaz (MEX)

the ALMS P2 class so far. Tucker is consistent if not fast, Bouchut fast (but also wild) and Diaz a solid addition. Definitely in the hunt to repeat their 2011 podium. After the controversy over the HPD’s restrictors last year, it’s probably the long haul car of choice in class, with a 1-2 finish at Sebring and

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Jota (GBR)

Zytek Z11SN Nissan

@JotaSport

38 Sam Hancock (GBR) Simon Dolan (GBR) Haruki Kurosawa (JPN)

75% Jota have traded the abysmal GTE Vantage of 2011 for a rather more competitive package and a step up - the LMP2 Zytek Nissan. It took Greaves to ILMC and Le Mans glory last year and also took Jota to victory at Spa. That victory did come as a surprise - self made millionaire Dolan is competent, rather than spectacular, while Hancock has been

error prone in the past - they’ll need a clean and solid run like they had at Spa to win the class. They’re joined by Haruki Kurosawa, who has some GT experience as well as the dubious honour of being part of the rather slow Tokai Courage team. A win would be an extremely long shot in this company, but we said that before Spa and they

Race Performance (CHE) ORECA 03 Judd

@RPerformance03

40 60% Race Performance could probably have had ‘not terrible’ added to the front of their name. The Judd engine isn’t a match for the Nissan but the package is reasonable and the driving squad isn’t poor.

Michel Frey (CHE) Ralph Meichtry (CHE) Jonathan Hirschi (CHE)

Hirschi has a good background in GT racing, but has never shown cutting edge pace. Meichtry and Frey are both stalwarts of the team. Another that will look to a consistent and clean race to gather a good finish on Sunday.

Greaves Motorsport (GBR) Zytek Z11SN Nissan

@Greavesmsport

41 Christian Zugel (DUE) Elton Julian (ECU) Ricardo Gonzalez (MEX)

65%

Alex Brundle (GBR) Martin Brundle (GBR) Lucas Ordonez (ESP)

70% Greaves were the strongest package on the grid last year, but that probably isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t true in 2012. They come as reigning Le Mans winners and their racecraft as a team will help them. The WEC car has so far been in the midfield, unable to match the pace of Jota at Spa, but Elton Julian is a strong driver and Gonzalex is no fool. Zugel is not anywhere near his team

mates on pace. 1990 Le Mans winner and general celebrity Martin Brundle returns, but is well past his best and will be outpaced both by his son Alex, midway through a GP3 campaign and GT Academy star Ordonez. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emerged as a proper star in this class and could be one of the stand outs.

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Extreme Limite Aric (FRA) Norma MP 2000 Judd

@extremelimite

Fabien Rosier (FRA) Philippe Thirion (FRA) Philippe Haezerbrouck (FRA)

25% Extreme Limite once again bring their Norma, and though it brings variety to the grid, it won’t trouble the class hierarchy. In fact, they’re lucky to be on the grid at all after a huge crash at Spa that looked to have put them out of the race, but they’ll race. The driving squad is a curious mix.

Haezerbrouck has racing experience dating back thirty years, including runs with various LMP Pilbeams and GT experience. Rosier knows this car extremely well, while Thirion is here for the experience. Might finish, but it’s fairly likely to be hundreds of laps down if it does - it was unclassified last year.

Starworks Motorsport (USA) HPD ARX 03b Honda

@starworksmotor

44 85% Grand Am team Starworks stunned the WEC fraternity by winning Sebring in strong style, and scoring an overall podium in the process. The HPD is clearly good in long races and Le Mans is the longest. On the driving side, they’ve lost Stephane Sarrazin to Toyota, which is a blow - but they’ve found a capable replacement. Brit Kimber-

Vincente Potolicchio (VEN) Ryan Dalziel (GBR) Thomas Kimber-Smith (GBR) Smith was a key part of Greaves’ title and Le Mans winning season last year and will show well. Ryan Dalziel is also strong, and very experienced in Grand Am. Amateur Potolicchio is accomplished and won’t embarrass himself. Starworks are as close to a favourite as you’ll find in this class - but anything can happen at Le Mans, of course.

Boutsen Ginion Racing (BEL) ORECA 03 Nissan

Bastien Brière (FRA) Jens Petersen (DEU) Shinji Nakano (JPN)

60% Thierry Boutsen’s team are unlikely to be going out to win this race on outright pace. The car is good but the package hasn’t come together brillantly and they were well off the pace at test day. Nakano has a lot of prototype experience, but is probably the least accomplished of the

platinum drivers in this field. Brière has a few Le Mans starts behind him, but largely thanks to shaky machinery is yet to finish. Petersen makes his Le Mans debut having done a lot of prototype racing but never quite having made it into the 24. Don’t expect a podium challenge.

Thiriet BY TDS RACING (FRA) ORECA 03 Nissan

@TDSRacing_live

46 70% TDS Racing are a young team, but are learning fast and are running a tight ship going into the race. Another running the almost ubiquitous Oreca Nissan, a solid run could see them challenge for podium honours. They’ve pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the arrival of Tinseau, who is a world class

Pierre Thiriet (FRA) Mathias Beche (CHE) Christophe Tinseau (FRA) endurance racer who could probably write a very big book on his experiences here. Thiriet is not on the cutting edge of pace but is a reasonable pay driver while Beche, despite his youth, has a fair bit of experience but makes his Le Mans debut. Will look toward consistency not pace.

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Murphy Prototypes (IRL) ORECA 03 Nissan

@MurphyPrototype

48 75% Murphy’s effort carries the flag for Ireland, and carries it pretty strongly. The Oreca Nissan is strong and the team is well drilled, with their single WEC run at Spa a strong run to a podium. The drivers are impressive. Solid amateur driver Firth has been teamed with pro Hughes for years and the two work together very

Jody Firth (GBR) Brendon Hartley (NZL) Warren Hughes (GBR)

strongly. Alongside them comes single seater ace Hartley, whose career had looked to have stalled but showed strong pace and learned quickly on his debut at Spa. If it keeps going, it’s another strong bet for a podium - but there’s a lot of strong cars and only three spots they’re all fighting for.

Pecom Racing (ARG) ORECA 03 Nissan

49 75% On paper, Pecom Racing have one of the strongest line ups in the class and the strongest car and engine package. In reality, they’ve so far struggled to run at the front in races. Enthusiastic Argentinian Perez-Companc has improved significantly over recent years and should be consistent if not rapid, while his

Luis Perez-Companc (ARG) Pierre Kaffer (DEU) Soheil Ayari (FRA)

team mates have a huge amount of previous in sportscar racing. Ayari is often over looked in ‘best of’ lists, but he’s an extremely good driver, while Kaffer has proved his class at various levels and is one of the very fastest in the class. Could win, and a strong bet for a podium.

PRO LMGTE Entries

AF Corse / Af Corse-Waltrip (ITA) Ferrari 458 Italia

@AFCorse

51 95%

Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) Toni Vilander (FIN)

61 45%

Robert Kauffman (USA) Rui Aguas (PRT) Brian Vickers (USA)

71 90%

Andrea Bertolini (ITA) Olivier Beretta (MCO) Marco Cioco (ITA)

81 80% AF Corse have four cars, split across the two GT classes. The team itself is the proverbial ‘crack squad’, as close to a Ferrari works team as it’s possible to be and brimming with talent. Starting in their Pro cars, car #51 is joint favourite with the Corvette squad for the win. Giancarlo Fisichella has started to look like an endurance racing driver having switched from F1 while his team mates are the most experienced Ferrari pilots in the field. VIlander is rapid and solid, while Bruni is incredibly fast and almost never makes mistakes. The less said, however, about the unsavoury at Sebring, the better.

Pierguiseppe Perazzini (ITA) Matt Griffin (IRL) Nicola Cadei (ITA)

In #71, there is no shortage of pace or endurance experience. Bertolini is a multiple FIA GT champion (though this is his first Le Mans start), Cioci impressed with the amateur squad last season and Beretta is still world class. He’s switched from Corvette and could be an interesting watch. Whether the #81 can match Larbre for 24 hours is uncertain but the drivers are all very good - Griffin in particular is speedy and solid. Don’t expect the Waltrip car to make an impact - Nascar star Vickers is not a road course racer of great distinction, Aguas is not a bad pilot, but Kauffman is pure gentelman driver.

Luxury Racing (FRA) Ferrari 458 Italia

@LuxuryRacing458

58 70%

Pierre Ehret (DEU) Frankie Montecalvo (USA) Gunnar Jeannette (USA)

59 85% Whatever is going on behind the scenes at Luxury Racing is anyone’s guess, but on the surface these two entries could both be in line for class podiums. In the Pro car are three drivers with a vast back catalogue of GT racing and all carry lots of talent. Makowiecki is a real star, and will match anyone on this grid for pace and consistency. If

Frédéric Makowiecki (FRA) Jamie Melo (BRA) Dominik Farnbacher (DEU) team mate Melo can stay on the grey, he is also supreme. Farnbacher is not quite so fast but he is very solid. Strong bet for a podium if the car holds out. The Am car is not the strongest in the class, but Ehret has lots of seat time in GT cars and Jeannette deserves his shot at the WEC. Montecalvo is very young - but could shine.

JMW Motorsport (GBR) Ferrari 458 Italia

@JMWmotorsport

66 65% JMW’s previous successes in sportscar racing cast quite a sizeable shadow on their efforts in 2012. Gimmi Bruni departed a couple of years ago, and Rob Bell took a McLaren contract so is absent too. In their places have stepped James Walker, who is learning at this level but shows a lot of

Jonny Cocker (GBR) James Walker (GBR) Roger Wills (NZL) promise, and Jonny Cocker, who has done a lot of racing for his age. Neither are as fast as the works drivers but should stay on track. New Zealander Wills’ step into the Pro class is an odd decision, as he has struggled to turn his ability in historic cars to pace in modern machinery.

Corvette Racing (USA) Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1

@CorvetteRacing

73 90%

Antonio Garcia (ESP) Jan Magnussen (DNK) Jordan Taylor (USA)

74 95% No one does Le Mans quite like Pratt and Miller’s Corvette Racing. The pomp and circumstance (if such a regal term applies to such an American effort) they bring is matched by a stunning record in France. The Corvette C6 ZR1 took both GTE classes in 2011, and it’s in a very good position to repeat that success this season. The car is strong over long distances, something that hasn’t always favoured it in ALMS but means they come strong in June. It’s hard to find a weakness in the two cars. The ALMS GT teams dominated Sebring, P & M narrowly beaten by BMW, but neither squad made a mistake. In #73, Garcia and Magnussen are both consumate pros with massive pace, and their familiarity with car and environment will make life for debutant team mate Jordan

Oliver Gavin (GBR) Tommy Milner (USA) Richard Westbrook (GBR)

Taylor much easier. For any team hoping he would be the weak link, bad news - you don’t get a Corvette American Le Mans drive if you’re anything short of five star quality. In the second car, three platinum pros who are largely inseparable. Oliver Gavin has been at Corvette almost as long they’ve had V8 motors, but is showing no signs of losing the pace and tenacity that puts him at the top of this class. He’s joined by America’s Tommy Milner, who is a true class act and his maturity belies his youth. Richard Westbrook earned his spot on the basis of his blistering pace, and when his aggressive style comes together he’s both spectacular and all but unmatched outside of this team. Class favourites by the narrowest of margins, against a very, very strong GTE Pro field - look out for them at the finish.

Team Felbermayr-Proton (DEU) Porsche 997 RSR

77 Richard Lietz (AUT) Marc Lieb (DEU) Wolf Henzler (DEU)

85%

88 Christian Ried (DEU) Gianluca Roda (ITA) Paolo Ruberti (ITA)

70% Felbermayr took Pro class victory at Spa - but they did it by surprise and stealth. The blue car benefitted from well chosen strategy and mixed conditions (as well as, according to Marc Lieb at least, ‘sandbagging’ from the Ferrari teams) to stand on the top step of the podium. At Le Mans, they go in with a Pro team of the very highest quality. Lieb and Lietz probably know each other better than their own families, and have been working with this team for donkey’s years. They’re joined by Wolf Henzler, who is as good as anyone in a Porsche 997 - and he’s also fantastic in the wet. But like all the Porsche

teams, they won’t win this race on pace. The Am car has a good shot at a strong finish if the consistent promise of its driver line up comes through. Christian Ried is massively experience in this team now, and while his father has stepped down, solid replacements have stepped in. Gianluca Roda was a competent peddler in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2011, where he was joined by rapid Italian Ruberti, who will be another good bet for class pole. Felbermayr are a good team, the drivers are of a high standard, but the Porsche probably just isn’t fast enough.

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Flying Lizard Motorsports (USA) Porsche 997 RSR

@FlyingLizard_MS

79 75%

Seth Neiman (USA) Patrick Pilet (USA) Spencer Pumpelly (USA)

80 85% Every Porsche team in the world must keep checking their calendar to see if it’s 2013 yet, and praying that the new Porsche GT car will reset their fortunes. It’s been some time since the 997 GT3 RSR was the car to have in GTE and even in the hands of one of the world’s best GT teams, it will struggle. The fan favourite Lizards team return with a Pro and an Am car. The Pro car’s line up may not be all platinum, but it is all Porsche works driver and do not for one second believe Holzer is anything but top drawer. He’s young but he’s been groomed by Porsche and knows his way around a GT race and a GT car. His team mates need no introduction to even the most casual

Jöerg Bergmeister (DEU) Patrick Long (USA) Marco Holzer (DEU) fan of sportscar racing. Joerg Bergmeister has bags of pace and experience, and has been teamed with Long for years. The trio don’t lack anything in comparison to the other Pro teams on this grid. The Am car is no mean effort, either. Team owner Neiman is not fast - in fact, he’s very slow. But he’s joined by Spencer Pumpelly, who has stepped up from ALMS GTC and is extremely fast and Patrick Pilet. Pilet is a late replacement for Darren Law but is a Porsche works driver and will not be anything but fast and level headed. Either car could be in the running for their class honours, but will rely on efficiency and consistency rather than pace.

Aston Martin Racing (GBR) Aston Martin V8 Vantage

@AMR_Official

97 75%

Stefan Mücke (DEU) Darren Turner (GBR) Adrian Fernandez (MEX)

99 80% The days when Aston Martin Racing were favourites for Le Mans GT honours are long gone. A huge amount of work has gone into the V8 Vantage and it’s a very, very fast package - but it’s also been spectacularly unreliable. In Pro specification it’s rapid, and in Am specification it’s a step ahead of its rivals on pace. In fact, the Am car was fourth GTE on the timesheets at the test in the hands of Simonsen, with the Pro car sixth - but it led at Spa and was on pole for the ALMS at Laguna Seca. Three platinum drivers are in the #97. Darren Turner would not be out of place in any works team on this grid, and would match anyone in a blow for blow contest in equal machinery. He’s

Christoffer Nygaard (DNK) Kristian Poulsen (DNK) Allan Simonsen (DNK) joined by Adrian Fernandez, who is breaking his GT racing duck this season - he’s not quite as adept as he was at single seaters but he’s no slouch. Somehow, Stefan Mucke survived 2011 after an outrageous deliberate crash at Silverstone. His pace will have to be matched by a level head. The amateur car would be race favourite were it a reliable package, with Simonsen, the fastest GT driver in the world, joined by fellow Danes Nygaard and Poulsen. Nygaard is a competent peddler but not the fastest, while touring car expert Poulsen is in a similar boat. If (and it’s a massive, Ben Hur sized if) either keeps going, it could be on the podium.

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Larbre Competition (FRA) Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1

50 95%

Patrick Bornhauser (FRA) Julien Canal (FRA) Pedro Lamy (PRT)

70 80% It would be a very brave man who would bet against Larbre repeating their 2011 class victory and you’d get short odds on a double podium.The car is extremely good, winning both GTE classes at last year’s Le Mans and the ILMC Am title with this team. Last year’s series champions Bornhauser and Canal, who have heaps of experience in

Christophe Bourret (FRA) Pascal Gibon (FRA) Jean-Philippe Belloc (FRA)

Corvettes, are joined by ex Peugeot star Lamy. It’s a fast and consistent line up - provided Lamy doesn’t produce any of the antics that have clouded his performances in the past. The second car is not quite as strong but doesn’t lack a great deal, with Belloc still showing good pace and Bourret and Gibon looking solid alongside him.

JWA-Avila (GBR) Porsche 997 RSR

@JWAAvila

55 50% If JWA-Avila win their class, the amount of headwear residing in the stomachs of pundits will be sizeable. The car isn’t bad, but the tyres are terrible, and started Sebring some time after everyone else after a clutch failure before the race even started. At least the line up is solid, with Blancpain

Paul Daniels (GBR) Markus Palttala (FIN) Joél Camathias (CHE) Endurance star and l’endurance columnist Palttala joined by GT Open front runner Camathias - both are consistent and, if not lightning fast, then at least pacey. Team owner Daniels is simply an amateur enjoying himself. It’s a classic ‘a finish would be a great result’ entry, this.

Krohn Racing (USA) Ferrari 458 Italia

@KrohnRacing

57 65% What Krohn lack in outright pace, they make up for with the staying power of a volcanic rock. The Am class was created with teams like this in mind, and their spirit is always a sight to behold - just like their stand out paint scheme. The team brings the Ferrari that they’re known

Tracy Krohn (USA) Nic Jönsson (SWE) Michele Rugolo (ITA) for, but upgrade to a 458 for 2012. Despite not being on the pace, they’re third in the class standings after two rounds. All three know the difference between the grey bit and the gravel so expect a consistent, safe run to a finish - provided the occasionally flaky Italian reliability doesn’t let them down

IMSA Performance Matmut (FRA) Porsche 997 RSR

67 70% Gone are the days when Matmut were one of the favourites for pro honours at Le Mans the team enter just one car in the Am class this year. However, the team know their stuff and have a good line up. The ace in the pack is Armindo, who has established himself as a quick and reliable pilot

Anthony Pons (FRA) Raymond Narac (FRA) Nicolas Armindo (FRA) - he led the Spa race (ahead of all the pro cars, too)until he pitted and is a good bet for class pole position. Alongside him, Narac is a Porsche stalwart with a lot of time behind the wheel in this team, while Pons will stick to careful, consistent stints. Strong shot at a podium.

Prospeed Competition (BEL) Porsche 997 RSR

75 70% Stalwart Belgian outfit Prospeed are back to their traditional black and white in 2012, but step down into the Am class without a Pro car. That’s not to say they won’t be strong in the class, though. Briton Sean Edwards is one of the most rapid Porsche pilots in the world and it will take

Abdulaziz Alfaisal (SAU) Bret Curtis (USA) Sean Edwards (GBR) handcuffs to stop him going for class pole. Alfaisal may not be a seasoned pro, but he’s improving all the time and should be a good addition. American Curtis isn’t fast but in making the step from ALMS GTC to GTE Am he shouldn’t be out of his depth. A dark horse for a podium.

JMB Racing (MCO) Ferrari 458 Italia

83 45% JMB Racing are here to make up the numbers, though they do know their way around La Sarthe. Rodrigues and Illiano are both old school gentleman drivers, though Rodrigues has a lot of

Manuel Rodrigues (PRT) Philippe Illiano (FRA) Alain Ferté (FRA) GT3 experience with Hexis Racing. Alain Ferte goes way back, but the years have blunted an edge that was never the very sharpest. Aiming for a finish and a clean run. Anything could happen in this class.

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