Why Porsche is willing to sacrifice the WEC opener
A slimmed-down LMP1 battle will be the focus point of this weekend's World Endurance Championship curtain-raiser at Silverstone. But has the prospect of a fight already been ruined?
Porsche has opted to play a long game in this year's World Endurance Championship. Toyota says its commitment to winning the WEC explains why it is running in high-downforce configuration at this weekend's Silverstone series opener. The opposite decision by its rival is based on exactly the same reasoning.
There are always two ways to skin a cat. Toyota wants points in the bag, but Porsche is happy to sacrifice them in order to leave the high-downforce version of the latest 919 Hybrid in the windtunnel for another couple of months.
Share Or Save This Story
Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
More from Gary Watkins
Lamborghini not concerned over Le Mans reliability despite rain-interrupted test
Peugeot won't replace Vergne, Vandoorne for Spa WEC amid Formula E clash
Alpine confident for 'good news' in Habsburg injury recovery
How rain and strategy spelled disaster for Ferrari in WEC Imola 6 Hours
Toyota not “getting over excited” over WEC Imola triumph
Ferrari admits to two strategic errors after losing Imola WEC race
Porsche and Toyota believe Ferrari "out of reach" for WEC Imola race
Peugeot 'scratching their heads' after poor Imola WEC qualifying in new look 9X8
Latest news
The Gen3 Evo upgrades that are a “gamechanger” for Formula E drivers
Hulkenberg to join Sauber in 2025 ahead of Audi F1 entry
Hulkenberg set for Audi switch after Haas departure revealed
MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix: Start time, how to watch and more
Autosport Plus
How rain and strategy spelled disaster for Ferrari in WEC Imola 6 Hours
Ranking Derek Warwick’s top 10 greatest races
Why Peugeot had no choice but to revamp its radical Le Mans Hypercar
How motorsport is embracing the opportunities of AI
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.