Toyota is effectively in a class of one at the front of the Le Mans 24 Hours field, but has at least invited a double Formula 1 world champion along to put more eyeballs on a race it really cannot afford to lose again.
In its wake, things look wide open in the privateer LMP1 group, the LMP2 and GTE classes.
Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 29th as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 70 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 Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
Audi's forgotten winner that still holds a Le Mans record In 2010, a 39-year distance record was finally beaten at the Le Mans 24 Hours as Audi claimed its ninth win at the event. It achieved both with a car that's largely forgotten, the 'ugly duckling' R15-plus TDI WEC
What we'll miss about Le Mans this weekend This weekend should've marked the 88th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours - before coronavirus forced it to be delayed until September. We asked the great and the good of the sportscar paddock what they'll most miss about not being at Le Mans WEC
How Sauber created its greatest legacy In the latest part of the series celebrating 50 years of the much-loved Swiss outfit, we examine how Sauber's partnership with Mercedes and its famous junior drivers helped produce its greatest legacy in racing WEC
The manufacturer tie-up that put Sauber on the map In the first of a series of features this week celebrating 50 years of the much-loved Swiss outfit, we revisit how Sauber's partnership with Mercedes helped the privateer take its next step to becoming a major force in sportscar racing WEC
How F1’s B-teams steered away from the precipice Like all professional sports, motor racing was driven into hibernation by COVID-19. But to survive, it's had to return before the storm has passed. So how will Formula 1 cope with racing in a pandemic? And why does it have to, asks STUART CODLING F1
Why Ricciardo’s McLaren move is the right one Daniel Ricciardo chose to end his lucrative association with Renault and join McLaren for 2021, before '20's disrupted campaign had even begun, but it could be a shrewd career move. ALEX KALINAUCKAS counts the five reasons why it was the right call F1
The IndyCar rookie the series will miss this weekend Double Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin was meant to contest IndyCar's Grand Prix of Indy with Team Penske this weekend. Imposed travel restrictions have delayed it, only increasing anticipation for when his series debut finally comes IndyCar
The ticking clock behind Williams's potential team sale After managing just one point in 2019, Williams heads into the new season without a title sponsor and seeking new investment to keep it on the Formula 1 grid. The cost-cap rules will aid its cause, but there's one factor to bear in mind before that point F1
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