The manufacturer stars of the 2017 WEC
A depleted LMP1 field actually makes it tougher to narrow down to the elite few performers, while the raging GTE Pro battle allowed several drivers to shine
Though the spotlight was on the depleted LMP1 field in 2017, the well-stocked GTE ranks meant the World Endurance Championship enjoyed competition from six manufacturers across two classes this season.
Toyota took plenty of race-by-race headlines in the 2017 World Endurance Championship season but it was Porsche that collected all the big prizes on offer in LMP1. Amazing consistency allowed Ferrari to come back from Le Mans 24 Hours despair to take both GT crowns, while there were star turns within its Aston Martin, Porsche and Ford rivals.
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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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