Ant D’s Stars of the WEC Season So Far

There may only have been just over seven hours of racing this season, but some stars are already shining brightly in the FIA WEC.

With another 50 scheduled hours of vigorous FIA WEC action to come in 2022, further heroes will emerge. But for now, WEC co-commentator and 2014 champion Anthony Davidson, chooses those that made an impression on him at Sebring last month.

Will his stars twinkle again in Spa, or will new ones emerge at the fearsome Ardennes circuit?

Sebastien Buemi – Toyota Gazoo Racing

“I thought Sebastien was masterful behind the wheel with the stints that he put in, a real class act.

“He really caught my eye during that weekend, pulling away from Kobayashi as he did. He really didn't put a foot wrong during the race. It was a strong performance by him personally.

“I was so intrigued to see how the race was going to unfold and at some point they (No.8 Toyota) were looking like they were going to win. They were going to get back all of the time to the Alpine I’m sure of it.

“By saving themselves a few laps extra in each stint it would have saved them ultimately I think a whole pitstop towards the end of the race.

“That's what I was really looking forward to just before the first red flag and then of course it was kind of started afresh and eradicated that strategic advantage that Toyota had. This was mainly due to the hybrid engine being more efficient and saving them so much fuel per lap.

“Although from the pure lap time it didn't look like the BOP (balance of performance) was really working, in fact I think if you look at the whole race without safety cars or red flags, it was working. It's one of those things we'll never know how it would have played out which was a shame really.”

“One thing we do know is that Buemi was at the top of his powers all weekend.”

Nick Tandy – Corvette Racing

“I would go as far to say Nick was the driver of the race for me.

“It's hard to pick one driver out of so many that had great performances in such tough conditions. But if I had to choose one single driver it would be Nick, because it was just classic Tandy. 

“He's such a versatile driver. I always wondered before he even came to LMP1 (in 2015) with Porsche if he was just a 911 specialist. He's clearly and completely proven me wrong.

“Now he’s changing equipment and team completely in LMGTE Pro with Corvette Racing and is achieving equally strong performances, like we saw in Sebring.

“It just made me smile because he's just such a versatile driver. I have to give that race to him because he was a joy to watch.

“He wrestled that car around Sebring, and he really took the fight to Porsche. Ferrari weren't in the game there, so it could have been quite a dull race, but I really think that Nick made the race. He turned it into a motor race because without him, it wouldn't have been as much fun.”

Joshua Pierson - United Autosports USA

“This young guy was a complete revelation on his debut.

“It was an impressive couple of stints that he put together in difficult conditions with the tyres he had and arguably the hottest conditions as well.

“He kept his cool when he was on the attack. He was quick when he needed to be and consolidated when he needed to as well, and he kept the pressure on his teammate in the sister (No.22) car.

“Honestly, I was really captivated. That's his first appearance in LMP2 in a top team like United Autosports where there's a lot of pressure to perform on a very difficult circuit. I was mightily impressed, and he plainly has a very bright future,”

Paul Dalla Lana - Northwest AMR

“Paul Dalla Lana had a really good race in the Nothwest AMR car, he really delivered.

“I know he's always up there usually anyway but watching his first stint he was feisty but in control of the situation at the front and I think he soaked up the pressure well.

“He did the job he needed to do, and I was impressed with him in the Pro-Am category, and he laid the foundations for the win with teammates Nicki Thiim and David Pittard, who were both great as well.

“The AM drivers are the backbone of the performance in those cars, and you can't ignore the job they do in that category, so you have to look more towards their performances and in Dalla Lana’s case it was super strong.”