A look back at the first six editions of the WEC's race in the UK
It’s 6 Hours of Silverstone race week, an event which has become a fan favourite double-header, and a media nightmare. Running between the ‘Wing’ and the National pits is always tough, and covering the WEC and ELMS on the same weekend leaves us with little time to think, but ultimately, it’s World Endurance Championship racing on DSC’s home soil. There’s something special about it and over the past six years, its produced some memorable races.
So with that in mind, here’s a look back at all the WEC races at Silverstone since the WEC began back in 2012, before the ‘Super Season’ edition this weekend:
2012: The start of the WEC’s first event in the UK
2012: The moment Brendon Hartley found out he was having to give up his Murphy drive for a more low key role with Porsche
2012: Matt Griffin becomes the first Irishman to score a class win in a WEC race
2012: A strong second place finish for JMW, running its art car as a one off
2012: The #1 Audi wins, and secures Audi the 2012 Manufacturers Title
2013: Silverstone becomes the season opener for the first time
2013: Porsche’s first race in the WEC as a factory
2013: “That’s ok Chris, you sit there while we do all the work!”
2013: Audi wins again, this time it’s the McNish, Duval, Kristensen trio
2014: It’s the season opener again, and for the first time the WEC runs with three factory hybrid teams
2014: The weather was lovely in 2014, in fact, it got so ‘lovely’ that they had to red flag the race early
2014: Heavy rain didn’t prevent celebrations though, Toyota wins its first race at Silverstone, Porsche gets on the podium in LMP1 for the first time
2014: It was also the last race for Rebellion’s Lola Toyotas, the R-One would take over from Spa
2015: Strakka debuts its DOME S103, the team later went on to change to a Gibson chassis after Le Mans – a proposed LMP1 programme foundered and the team are now enjoying success in GT3
2015: Toyota races for the first time under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner
2015: Nicki Thiim scores his first WEC pole. Wonder what he’s up to these days?
2015: The #7 Audi wins. It did at Spa too, but after that Porsche won every other race. It would be Audi’s last LMP1 win at Silverstone
2016: The 2016 edition of the race had everything, even a snow storm!
2016: Manor joins the WEC
2016: Ford also made its debut as a factory that year
2016: Andre, Marcel & Benoit celebrate a win to open the season. But they were later disqualified. Ralf clearly knew the team’s fate!
2017: Like Audi in 2016, Porsche set off on what would turn out to be its final LMP1 campaign
2017: Happy customers? Clearwater Racing’s Arj approved of the team’s big win in its WEC debut
2017: Lads on tour! Andy and Harry win on home soil with Pipo as the third driver
2017: The #7 Toyota crashed out, but the #8 went on to take the victory
