This was always going to be about two factors that would define the race, and the season, KCMG needed to push for a win, and the #26 G-Drive Ligier needed not to make a race risking mistake
It was all in doubt right into the final hour with KCMG mounting a fine attack, all three drivers playing a part in a race that they led well at times.
Also in the mix, again, was the #36 Signatech Alpine, mugged at the start by the Championship contenders, ‘Les Bleus’ hung on in there and were always a factor.
And the second #28 G-Drive car too proved to be a force to be reckoned with, these were the quartet that would prove the class of the field in Bahrain.
The ESM Ligier HPDs both suffered identical left rear rocker failures, the rear delays would relegate both to the rear of the field after a season that the men in green and black will want to forget.
SARD Morand too hit trouble – literally! Pierre Ragues suffered some sort of failure at the rear of the car at the end of the pit straight, the #43 spearing left into the armco with damage to the front of the car. The team did well to get the car back out quickly, but the damage was (literally) done, the car laps dow and out of contention.
Strakka’s Gibson Nissan had a better run, Jonny Kane getting into the mix in the early running, Danny Watts doing a Danny Watts type job to keep them there and Nick Leventis showing real signs of getting to grips with the Gibson. The fact that the team will be disappointed with sixth shows that their fighting spirit is back with a vengeance. They’ll be back!
AF Racing brought the #44 BR01 for a one-off, non points scoring outing and learned plenty about the task in hand, amid race contact delayed the car but in honesty the team has more pac to find from the promising new coupe. They too though will be back, and likely with a full season, two car effort!
The final podium place came down to the very last lap and it was Pipo Derani that made the difference, a fine fighting drive saw the Brazilian close down the Signatech Alpine, passing for third with just a few corners to spare. Derani has been a stand-out this year, perhaps overlooked as others drove in, shall we say, more dramatic circumstances, he deserves a shot at P1 just as much as the single seater boys!
For the win though it came down to two men again, after Nick Tandy’s early stint, and a great double from Matt Howson, backed up with another solid effort from Richard Bradley, the push for the win would come down to Nick Tandy again, this time double stinting his Dunlops.
G-Drive hadn’t faltered, so the title, short of yet more late race LMP2 dramas, was theirs. This was going to be all about the race win now.
We’d had Bird vs Tandy at the start, Rusinov vs Howson in the middle and Canal vs Howson then Bradley in the later hours. The final battle would be between the two heaviest hitters in the class all season. Overall Le Mans winner Nick Tandy and standout aspirant LMP1 driver Sam Bird.
It was thrilling stuff, Tandy attacking on fresher rubber and getting the lead but then opting to keep track position and drive to the finish on the same Dunlops with Bird attacking on newer tyres and chasing down the KCMG man. The strategy went the Ligier’s way this time, Bird looking better and better in the Ligier very time he’s got aboard.
At the flag the winning margin was a convincing one but this has been an enthralling, sometimes frustrating, battle for honours in the latter part of the season.
G-Drive take the title, Roman Rusinov’s FIA WEC loyalty finally pays off, Julian Canal’s impressive transition to LMP2 getting a deserved reward and Sam Bird getting his first ever Championship win, an astounding fact for a man that has this much talent.
It’s already clear that G-Drive in this form won’t be back, Rusinov telling DSC post race that whilst there were positive moves for a return that nothing is signed.
Last word for Sam Bird: “There has been some awesome racing this year, I hope to be back in the paddock next season, it’s a great place to be and a great Championship. The next chapter starts tomorrow in a different car.” The Toyota TS040.
Paddock rumour is pouring doubt on the potential for the KCMG squad to return after the late season shenanigans. Let’s hope that’s not true. The Hong Kong based team have been a hugely impressive addition to the FIA WEC. Lovers of good racing want to see more of them!
