Rebellion Racing takes memorable win at 4 Hours of Shanghai
Rebellion Racing dominated the LMP1 category at today’s 4 Hours of Shanghai – round 3 of the FIA WEC – with their Rebellion R13–Gibson.
It marks only the fourth time in the WEC’s eight-year history that a non-Hybrid car has been classified as overall winner, after what was an interesting and intense battle throughout thanks to the LMP Success Handicap system introduced this season to ensure closer competition.
Today marked the second WEC victory in the books for the Swiss Rebellion Racing team with Bruno Senna, Gustavo Menezes and Norman Nato finishing more than one minute ahead of World Championship leaders Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley in the No.8 Toyota TS050 HYBRID car. It was Senna's 10th win in the series and is notable as he has now taken victory in all four classes of competition, the only driver to achieve this distinction.
History made today! @RebellionRacing take its second ever WEC victory as @BSenna @GustavoYacaman and @NatoNorman win the 4 Hours of Shanghai on Nov 10, 2019
— WEC (@FIAWEC) November 10, 2019
Well done, well done! Congratulations, guys#4hShanghai #WEC pic.twitter.com/xHuM9c13cb
The third podium spot was taken by the No.7 Toyota Gazoo Racing entry driven by José María López, Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway – the trio’s race having been compromised following a drive-through penalty for a jump start.
Britain’s Team LNT ended the race in fourth and fifth position as the No.5 Ginetta G60-LT-P1 AER reached the chequered flag one spot ahead of the No.6 sister car, these two also having had to serve a drive-through penalty for the same infringement as the No.7.
JOTA celebrates LMP2 success with Goodyear
The highly-competitive LMP2 category saw British-based squad JOTA take its first victory of Season 8 in the No.38 ORECA 07 Gibson of Antonio Felix da Costa, Roberto Gonzalez and Anthony Davidson.
It marked the first WEC win for JOTA since Spa in 2015 and also the first win for Goodyear tyres – a remarkable achievement considering it is only the third event since the American tyre company joined the WEC with its new range of LMP2 tyres.
Meanwhile, it was a home celebration for Jackie Chan DC Racing today as its trio of Gabriel Aubry, Ho-Pin Tung and Will Stevens claimed the runner-up position after a strong outing in another ORECA. Today’s result promotes Jackie Chan DC Racing to second in the LMP2 standings, just two points behind category leaders Racing Team Nederland who finished today’s race fifth following a drive-through penalty for contact with another car.
British team United Autosports fought back from a forced early pit-stop to remove debris from the air intake to claim the final spot on the LMP2 podium for Paul di Resta, Filipe Albuquerque and Phil Hanson.
Signatech Alpine Elf’s trio of Thomas Laurent, André Negrao and Pierre Ragues finished fourth in the No.36 Alpine and now sit third in the overall standings.
Elsewhere, it was a difficult race for the No.42 Cool Racing entry, pole sitters in the category, as the Swiss team was the only entry to retire from today’s race due to an electrical problem caused by damage after an incident.
LMP2 sees No. 38 @JotaSport take victory as @afelixdacosta completes race to trigger celebrations with teammates @RobGonzalezV and @antdavidson. Win marks the first ever WEC win for @goodyear tyres & Jota’s first as a full season entrant
— WEC (@FIAWEC) November 10, 2019
Congratulations#4hShanghai #WEC pic.twitter.com/opgjJVDYNS
For the provisional results, please click HERE and for championship standings, please click HERE.
Next up in the FIA WEC calendar is the 8 Hours of Bahrain which takes place in just over one month’s time (12-14 December).
