
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.
Latest articles by Gary Watkins

Porsche confident significant steps made with 963 ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours
Porsche confident significant steps made with 963 ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours Porsche confident significant steps made with 963 ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours

LMP2 bosses hit out at mild Le Mans penalty for rivals using illegal sensor in test
LMP2 bosses hit out at mild Le Mans penalty for rivals using illegal sensor in test LMP2 bosses hit out at mild Le Mans penalty for rivals using illegal sensor in test

Bruni, Tincknell join Proton's IMSA attack with Porsche LMDh
Bruni, Tincknell join Proton's IMSA attack with Porsche LMDh Bruni, Tincknell join Proton's IMSA attack with Porsche LMDh

Toyota in "tough situation" ahead of Le Mans
Toyota in "tough situation" ahead of Le Mans Toyota in "tough situation" ahead of Le Mans

F3 Macau return confirmed for 70th anniversary running
F3 Macau return confirmed for 70th anniversary running F3 Macau return confirmed for 70th anniversary running

Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest
Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest

Le Mans test day: Ferrari paces Peugeot in morning session, Toyota crashes
Le Mans test day: Ferrari paces Peugeot in morning session, Toyota crashes Le Mans test day: Ferrari paces Peugeot in morning session, Toyota crashes

Toyota: Le Mans BoP change could open door to WEC "sandbagging"
Toyota: Le Mans BoP change could open door to WEC "sandbagging" Toyota: Le Mans BoP change could open door to WEC "sandbagging"

How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return
How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return How NASCAR is aiming to thrill on its Le Mans return

How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon
How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon How a British privateer hopes its customer Porsche can become a Le Mans icon

The FIA, ACO imposed Hypercar BoP for Le Mans without manufacturer agreement
The FIA, ACO imposed Hypercar BoP for Le Mans without manufacturer agreement The FIA, ACO imposed Hypercar BoP for Le Mans without manufacturer agreement

Hypercar BoP undergoes wholescale revisions for Le Mans
Hypercar BoP undergoes wholescale revisions for Le Mans Hypercar BoP undergoes wholescale revisions for Le Mans

Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans
Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans Villeneuve ends WEC campaign with Vanwall after being dropped for Le Mans

How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks
How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks

Le Mans wants hydrogen-only top class by 2030
Le Mans wants hydrogen-only top class by 2030 Le Mans wants hydrogen-only top class by 2030

Tincknell to race Proton Porsche LMDh at Monza WEC round
Tincknell to race Proton Porsche LMDh at Monza WEC round Tincknell to race Proton Porsche LMDh at Monza WEC round

Archive: How an ingenious fix prevented a movie legend from winning Le Mans
Archive: How an ingenious fix prevented a movie legend from winning Le Mans Archive: How an ingenious fix prevented a movie legend from winning Le Mans

Peugeot sign Jakobsen to WEC Le Mans Hypercar roster
Peugeot sign Jakobsen to WEC Le Mans Hypercar roster Peugeot sign Jakobsen to WEC Le Mans Hypercar roster

MotoGP legend Rossi feels he's on course for 2024 Le Mans 24 debut
MotoGP legend Rossi feels he's on course for 2024 Le Mans 24 debut MotoGP legend Rossi feels he's on course for 2024 Le Mans 24 debut

Peugeot keeping focus on reliability above performance for Le Mans return
Peugeot keeping focus on reliability above performance for Le Mans return Peugeot keeping focus on reliability above performance for Le Mans return

Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?
Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans? Can Peugeot turn its style into substance at Le Mans?

"Perfect job" from Rossi secured first GTWCE podium - Martin
"Perfect job" from Rossi secured first GTWCE podium - Martin "Perfect job" from Rossi secured first GTWCE podium - Martin

Valentino Rossi takes first podium in GT World Challenge Europe at Brands Hatch
Valentino Rossi takes first podium in GT World Challenge Europe at Brands Hatch Valentino Rossi takes first podium in GT World Challenge Europe at Brands Hatch

Ranking the top 10 Le Mans races of all time
Ranking the top 10 Le Mans races of all time Ranking the top 10 Le Mans races of all time

Cadillac targets expanding factory WEC effort to two cars in 2024
Cadillac targets expanding factory WEC effort to two cars in 2024 Cadillac targets expanding factory WEC effort to two cars in 2024

WEC tyre warmers ban lifted for Le Mans 24 Hours
WEC tyre warmers ban lifted for Le Mans 24 Hours WEC tyre warmers ban lifted for Le Mans 24 Hours

Delage name returns to Le Mans in IDEC Sport partnership
Delage name returns to Le Mans in IDEC Sport partnership Delage name returns to Le Mans in IDEC Sport partnership

Le Mans Records: Biggest winning margin, most distance & more
Le Mans Records: Biggest winning margin, most distance & more Le Mans Records: Biggest winning margin, most distance & more

Archive: How Graham Hill completed his legend at Le Mans
Archive: How Graham Hill completed his legend at Le Mans Archive: How Graham Hill completed his legend at Le Mans

Planned debut for Isotta Hypercar postponed to Bahrain WEC round
Planned debut for Isotta Hypercar postponed to Bahrain WEC round Planned debut for Isotta Hypercar postponed to Bahrain WEC round

Gutierrez joins Glickenhaus for Le Mans as full entry list revealed
Gutierrez joins Glickenhaus for Le Mans as full entry list revealed Gutierrez joins Glickenhaus for Le Mans as full entry list revealed

General Motors evaluating F1 engine programme
General Motors evaluating F1 engine programme General Motors evaluating F1 engine programme

FIA responds to criticism over WEC tyre warmer ban after Spa crashes
FIA responds to criticism over WEC tyre warmer ban after Spa crashes FIA responds to criticism over WEC tyre warmer ban after Spa crashes

Button eyes WEC Hypercar drive for Le Mans 2024
Button eyes WEC Hypercar drive for Le Mans 2024 Button eyes WEC Hypercar drive for Le Mans 2024

How Spa showed the folly of the WEC's self-defeating tyre rules
How Spa showed the folly of the WEC's self-defeating tyre rules How Spa showed the folly of the WEC's self-defeating tyre rules

10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Spa
10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Spa 10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Spa

Porsche expects Balance of Performance change before Le Mans 24 Hours
Porsche expects Balance of Performance change before Le Mans 24 Hours Porsche expects Balance of Performance change before Le Mans 24 Hours

How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans
How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans How Ferrari’s threat is growing against Toyota approaching Le Mans

Calado: Ferrari "could have fought Toyota for victory" at WEC Spa
Calado: Ferrari "could have fought Toyota for victory" at WEC Spa Calado: Ferrari "could have fought Toyota for victory" at WEC Spa

Conway: Early WEC laps on slicks at wet Spa about "trying to survive"
Conway: Early WEC laps on slicks at wet Spa about "trying to survive" Conway: Early WEC laps on slicks at wet Spa about "trying to survive"

Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures
Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures Why Cadillac can make amends for its previous Le Mans failures

Toyota "on the back foot" for WEC Spa after practice issues, Hartley crash
Toyota "on the back foot" for WEC Spa after practice issues, Hartley crash Toyota "on the back foot" for WEC Spa after practice issues, Hartley crash

Kobayashi "concerned" by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa
Kobayashi "concerned" by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa Kobayashi "concerned" by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa

Porsche reveals special livery for Le Mans 24 Hours
Porsche reveals special livery for Le Mans 24 Hours Porsche reveals special livery for Le Mans 24 Hours

WEC Spa: Toyota takes pole after Ferrari gets track-limits penalty
WEC Spa: Toyota takes pole after Ferrari gets track-limits penalty WEC Spa: Toyota takes pole after Ferrari gets track-limits penalty

WEC Spa: Toyota leads Ferrari in opening practice
WEC Spa: Toyota leads Ferrari in opening practice WEC Spa: Toyota leads Ferrari in opening practice

WEC Hypercar BoP unchanged for Spa, no tweaks for Le Mans
WEC Hypercar BoP unchanged for Spa, no tweaks for Le Mans WEC Hypercar BoP unchanged for Spa, no tweaks for Le Mans

New procedures to prevent Hypercar crews losing time repairing WEC sensor failures
New procedures to prevent Hypercar crews losing time repairing WEC sensor failures New procedures to prevent Hypercar crews losing time repairing WEC sensor failures

DTM champion Gotz unlikely to race Le Mans with Glickenhaus
DTM champion Gotz unlikely to race Le Mans with Glickenhaus DTM champion Gotz unlikely to race Le Mans with Glickenhaus

Lamborghini aims to run two cars at 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours
Lamborghini aims to run two cars at 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours Lamborghini aims to run two cars at 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours

Archive: The mothballed racer that became a double Le Mans winner
Archive: The mothballed racer that became a double Le Mans winner Archive: The mothballed racer that became a double Le Mans winner

Austin, Interlagos on course to rejoin WEC calendar in 2024
Austin, Interlagos on course to rejoin WEC calendar in 2024 Austin, Interlagos on course to rejoin WEC calendar in 2024

WEC Hypercar manufacturers to be given priority for LMGT3 entries
WEC Hypercar manufacturers to be given priority for LMGT3 entries WEC Hypercar manufacturers to be given priority for LMGT3 entries

10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Portimao
10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Portimao 10 things we learned from the 2023 WEC 6 Hours of Portimao

Ferrari admits conservative approach at WEC Portimao
Ferrari admits conservative approach at WEC Portimao Ferrari admits conservative approach at WEC Portimao

The chasm Toyota’s rivals must bridge before Le Mans
The chasm Toyota’s rivals must bridge before Le Mans The chasm Toyota’s rivals must bridge before Le Mans

Villeneuve "got lucky" with brake failure timing at WEC Portimao
Villeneuve "got lucky" with brake failure timing at WEC Portimao Villeneuve "got lucky" with brake failure timing at WEC Portimao

Toyota requests WEC procedure changes after FIA-mandated sensor fails
Toyota requests WEC procedure changes after FIA-mandated sensor fails Toyota requests WEC procedure changes after FIA-mandated sensor fails

Archive: When Mercedes provided a launchpad to an Aussie shooting star
Archive: When Mercedes provided a launchpad to an Aussie shooting star Archive: When Mercedes provided a launchpad to an Aussie shooting star

Jota Porsche LMDh car to run first shakedown ahead of Spa WEC debut
Jota Porsche LMDh car to run first shakedown ahead of Spa WEC debut Jota Porsche LMDh car to run first shakedown ahead of Spa WEC debut
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Dunlop: “People haven’t come near me” as Isle of Man TT Superbike doubts mounted
Dunlop: “People haven’t come near me” as Isle of Man TT Superbike doubts mounted Dunlop: “People haven’t come near me” as Isle of Man TT Superbike doubts mounted

How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster
How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster

Tuesday’s 2023 Isle of Man TT race programme heavily disrupted by weather
Tuesday’s 2023 Isle of Man TT race programme heavily disrupted by weather Tuesday’s 2023 Isle of Man TT race programme heavily disrupted by weather

Pirelli set for F1 tyre tender challenge as Bridgestone talk ramps up
Pirelli set for F1 tyre tender challenge as Bridgestone talk ramps up Pirelli set for F1 tyre tender challenge as Bridgestone talk ramps up

Aston Martin surprised by Mercedes 'rocket ship' in Spain - Stroll
Aston Martin surprised by Mercedes 'rocket ship' in Spain - Stroll Aston Martin surprised by Mercedes 'rocket ship' in Spain - Stroll

Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race
Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race Isle of Man TT 2023: Dunlop notches up 24th win after dominating Supertwins race

WRC Sardinia: The Good, The Bad and a Hyundai revival
WRC Sardinia: The Good, The Bad and a Hyundai revival WRC Sardinia: The Good, The Bad and a Hyundai revival

How Porsche bounced back from Formula E "slump" to win in Jakarta
How Porsche bounced back from Formula E "slump" to win in Jakarta How Porsche bounced back from Formula E "slump" to win in Jakarta

Dillon, Stenhouse collide in battle for 12th at St. Louis
Dillon, Stenhouse collide in battle for 12th at St. Louis

BTCC 2023: Round 4 - Thruxton Story of the day
BTCC 2023: Round 4 - Thruxton Story of the day

BTCC 2023: Round 4 - Thruxton Race 3 Highlights
BTCC 2023: Round 4 - Thruxton Race 3 Highlights