WEC ready for Germany

The press conference, held in front of a large gathering of German and international media, took place on the second of a two-day test. Of the 33 cars due to take part in the 6 Hours of Nürburgring, 20 were present at the test to gather as much data as possible ahead of the race next month.

Gérard Neveu, CEO of the WEC, and Carsten Schumacher, CEO capricorn NURBURGRING GmbH, were joined by team principals and drivers competing in the World Endurance Championship plus the legendary Hans Stuck who was announced as Grand Marshal for the fourth round of the 2015 season.

Guests included Audi Sport’s Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Andreas Seidl of the Porsche team, Porsche Team Manthey’s Olaf Manthey, plus André Lotterer (Audi Sport), Timo Bernhard (Porsche Team), Sébastien Buemi (Toyota), Richard Bradley (KCMG) and Patrick Dempsey (Dempsey Proton Racing).

Neveu spoke of the importance to the World Endurance Championship of the new race in Germany.

“The 6 Hours of Nurburgring is a new event on the WEC calendar and we are extremely pleased to be bringing the Spirit of Le Mans to Germany,” he said. “With Audi and Porsche being major German manufacturers and partners, plus Toyota Racing being based in Cologne, the decision to have a race here was not a difficult one to make when the opportunity arose. Audi has won the world title twice and Porsche will race in Germany after winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June; both have a huge following both here and around the world. We are sure that the home race for these very important manufacturers will be well supported by the German fans.”

Twenty teams took part in the two-day testing session, with Toyota, Audi and Porsche each bringing one car to the test. Audi split its drivers, with Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer handling the driving duties on Monday and Lucas di Grassi and Loic Duval behind the wheel on Tuesday. Porsche had all four of its primary factory drivers present both days.

Florida-based Tequila Patron ESM brought both Ligier JS P2 coupes to get more time inside the new cars and had all six drivers present for the test. They were one of six LMP2 entries and there were five cars in both the LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am classes.

Neveu said while the LMP1 cars will get most of the attention, the balance of the field promises to provide plenty of excitement.

“The 6 Hours of Nurburgring is about much more than the LMP1 entries,” he said. “We will have a full grid of 33 cars and there is great racing in LMP2 and in the LMGTE classes, where Porsche is racing against Ferrari and Aston Martin and where Ford will join us in 2016. The event is a combination of a full race program and great entertainment around the circuit for the whole family to enjoy. Everyone has a part to play in the event and that includes the spectators.”

Schumacher was looking forward to hosting the event at his track and he believed the fans would be in for a treat in the first race after the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“We are really thrilled to present the spectacular prototypes of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC for the first time in Germany, and of course at the Nurburgring, which is full of sports car history,” he said. “It will be the home match for Audi, Porsche and Toyota. In any case the Le Mans revenge will be a special treat for all spectators. We are looking forward to a great race weekend at the Nurburgring.”