Meet the young guns thriving in the WEC

Now in its sixth season, the FIA World Endurance Championship is well-established as an arena in which young talents can build professional careers in motorsport. Meet three of the first full season drivers whose impressive performances have enhanced their reputations.

1. Thomas Laurent (LMP2)

He may be one of the least experienced drivers in the WEC, but Laurent has been one of the most impressive performers of the year so far and sits 23 points clear atop the LMP2 standings with four rounds remaining. The Frenchman, who only two years ago was still racing go-karts, eschewed the common single-seater route and has spent his entire career to date racing sportscars under the wing of David Cheng, winning races in both the LMP2 and LMP3 classes of the Asian Le Mans Series.

Paired with Oliver Jarvis and Ho-Pin Tung at Jackie Chan DC Racing, the 19-year-old has never looked out of his depth and only clutch-related dramas in Mexico prevented him from continuing his run of podiums dating back to the season opener at Silverstone. With three wins so far – including at Le Mans, where he finished second overall – Laurent looks set to be France’s next great sportscar racing hope.  

Season record:
3 wins
4 podiums
1 pole position

2. Alex Lynn (LMP2)

The 2013 Macau Grand Prix winner contested the final three rounds of last year with Manor and showed an early indication of his promise by taking pole second-time out in Shanghai. Now in his first full season of WEC competition with the TDS-run G-Drive squad, 23-year-old Lynn has taken up the role as team leader, qualifying on pole at each of the first three rounds and scoring a first win at Spa to consolidate his standing as one of the quickest drivers in LMP2. After missing the Nürburgring due to a clashing commitment, the Briton came within 0.095s of the fastest lap on his return in Mexico, finishing fourth with Roman Rusinov and Pierre Thiriet.
Having won the Sebring 12 Hours earlier this year and gained further experience as part of BMW’s works assault on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Lynn is building an impressive sportscar racing CV and looks set to be around for many years to come.

Season record:
1 win
1 podium
3 pole positions

3. Marvin Dienst (LMGTE Am)

In only his second season of endurance racing, 20-year-old Dienst has adapted impressively to the WEC and leads the GTE-Am standings by 10 points after a second win of the year in Mexico. Forming a productive partnership with Proton Competition owner Christian Reid and Porsche factory driver Matteo Cairoli, Dienst has been a model of consistency and finished on the podium in every race so far.

A similar approach adopted by Emmanuel Collard/ Rui Aguas/ Francois Perrodo yielded the title last year and if successful, 2015 ADAC F4 champion Dienst could become the first Porsche driver to win the Am class – which has historically been the domain of Aston Martin and Ferrari with two titles each.

Season record:
2 wins
5 podiums
1 pole position