Scene set for 2017 season lift-off
The final preparations were being made this morning as idyllic spring sunshine lit up Silverstone and the paddock started to buzz with anticipation for the sixth edition of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The early morning track walk was just beginning as the the stars of the show joined their engineers to forensically inspect the famously named corners which have become part of the racing dictionary over the last 70 years – Copse, Becketts, Stowe and Abbey.
A new season of hope and expectancy could be felt as the immaculate paddock was finalised, and its occupants began to re-acquaint with each other in the familiar WEC manner traditions of respect, community and competition.
Thursday is the final day where the WEC competitors can confer with their teams, engineers and the media before the track action begins with the first Free Practice session at 11h45 on Friday morning.
The prospects of a thrilling new season of racing lie ahead. 72 hours of wheel-to-wheel racing awaits, and for the teams, drivers, suppliers, partners and fans alike every lap, every lap time and every overtaking move can be savoured.
As well as the main event which is scheduled to begin at 12h00 this Sunday, there will also be a feast of top quality international racing on offer from the European Le Mans Series – which has a 4-hour race on Saturday afternoon, the FIA European F3 Championship (3 races) and the World Series Formula V8 3.5 Series (2 races).