Who is winning the LMP1 manufacturer war?
Last year, the Nurburgring WEC round set the tone for Porsche domination over the remainder of the campaign. The picture for the balance of the 2016 season is far murkier
The World Endurance Championship resumed after the Le Mans 24 Hours at the Nurburgring last weekend and Porsche won. It might look like a case of deja vu, but the result is where the similarities with last season end.
Porsche dominated at the 'Ring last August, setting the tone for the rest of the season - the 919 Hybrid would remain unbeaten over the remaining WEC rounds. On the evidence of a thrilling event in which Audi had the pace to challenge its rival at different times of the race, that's unlikely to happen this time around.
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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.
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