Makowiecki to Alpine?
Factory Porsche Hypercar driver Frederic Makowiecki – who is leaving the German brand’s factory roster after more than a decade at the conclusion of this season – is reportedly heading to Alpine in 2025.
Set featured imageDSC spoke to the Frenchman earlier today, but he was not ready to confirm his next move.
“Let’s finish here first,” he said. “There are plenty of rumours around. We are in a kind of world where people are convinced about some things.
“At the moment nothing is confirmed, first I want to finish well with Porsche. For sure I will not retire and I want to be on the grid, but with a slightly different approach to the last couple of years.”
Mike Pinup
Mike Pickup played an honourable part in the annals of DSC’s history, as one of its earliest sponsors through his PK Sport team in the early 00s.
Now, at 168-years-old, Pickup holds a talismanic role at TF Sport. Many younger team members have been told that like the ravens at the Tower of London, should he ever leave, disaster will befall the multiple title-winning team.
In a public display of continued adoration for their most senior colleague, members of the team have taken part in a sticker campaign featuring what must be said, is a non-too-flattering image of his far-from-youthful face.
They have also pinned a large banner to the grandstand directly opposite the team’s pit garage.
Mike, after finding his correct glasses, was reportedly speechless upon spotting the tribute. He was later understood to have passed on some private comments to those closely involved. DSC is unable to reprint those comments, as it is still a family website.
Cairoli stands in for Perera
Lamborghini factory driver Matteo Cairoli is a late addition to the #60 Iron Lynx crew in LMGT3. The Italian has taken the seat usually filled by Franck Perera.
It will be his second FIA WEC start this year after driving the #19 SC63 Hypercar in its one-off at Le Mans.
That means that Cairoli has become the second driver to have driven both a Hypercar and LMGT3 car in a WEC event this season, after AKKODIS ASP’s Jose Maria Lopez replaced the injured Mike Conway in the #7 Toyota at Le Mans.
Perera, who drove the #60 in each of the seven WEC races so far this this year, is still on site this weekend. He is due to drive the SC63 in Sunday’s post-season Rookie Test.
Lotterer: #6 Crew “Not getting carried away”
It’s set to be an emotional weekend for Porsche Penske Motorsport driver Andre Lotterer. The three-time Le Mans winner is here in Bahrain fighting for a second FIA WEC Drivers’ World Championship in his final appearance as a factory Hypercar driver for the German marque.
Speaking to DSC earlier today, the 42-year-old German explained that he and his teammates in the championship-leading #6 963 are trying their best to avoid getting distracted by the points battle ahead of the race.
“You’re never comfortable until you win. We are not getting carried away with our (35-point) lead, we just have to keep our heads down and not think about it,” he said. “We have to just tackle the tasks in front of us, there’s no reason to change the approach to it, we just need to manage mistakes and risks.
“We have improved our car for this circuit quite a bit compared to last year, as last time our set-up was not ideal. So we hope to be ok.”
Spotted in the paddock
Algarve Pro Racing ELMS LMP2 driver Olli Caldwell is here as a guest of Alex Lynn – his teammate this season at APR – to observe the Cadillac Racing operation. He will not be taking part in the Rookie Test, but is exploring opportunities in the championship for the future.
Porsche IMSA GTP driver Mathieu Jaminet also is on site. The Frenchman is here acting as a reserve driver for the Porsche Penske team.
Lexus factory driver Ben Barnicoat meanwhile is set to take part in the Rookie Test with Lexus, but has arrived here early after Kelvin van der Linde fell ill. Thankfully van der Linde has recovered in time to start the weekend with AKKODIS ASP, so Barnicoat’s talents are not yet required.
DSC also spotted 2023 ELMS LMP2 champion James Allen on the flight over. The talented Australian has been known to be exploring the potential for a Hypercar drive over the past 12 months.
Other notable personalities that caught DSC’s eye include include Jack Leconte (owner of Larbre Competition and latterly Les Deux Arbes), Silverstone managing director Stuart Pringle, McLaren factory driver Rob Bell and 2017 FIA WEC GTE Am champion and 18 x race winner Pedro Lamy.
Bell is here as an ambassador for McLaren as its first season as an FIA WEC manufacturer comes to an end.
Lamy is on hand as a Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East driver advisor, four years on from his last WEC race here in Bahrain.
Bourdais back for more
Sebastien Bourdais is back in the FIA WEC this week for his start of the season, after making appearances with Cadillac Racing at both Qatar and Le Mans.
Fresh from winning Petit Le Mans in Chip Ganassi Racing’s final IMSA GTP start with the V-Series.R, the Frenchman is keen to carry that momentum through this weekend and try to deliver the GM brand its first FIA WEC victory.
“I’m excited about this one,” he told DSC. “Originally it was supposed to be Renger (van der Zande) in the third seat, but with him signing his Acura deal it didn’t make sense, so here I am.
“We had a great season opener at Qatar,” he added, reflecting on his previous start in the #2 V-Series. R, “but that’s such a different circuit, it’s the opposite to here with such an abrasive surface. But I hope that this weekend we can run at the front too.
“We need to find a set-up solution that’s more adequate to performing here with the high level of tyre deg. I think Toyota is still the reference in a race like this; they keep showing it in places like Brazil and here last year.”
Students shown the ropes
The FIA WEC played host to a large number of talented local high school and university media and arts students at the circuit today.
Inspiring the next generation.
Yesterday, we invited special guests from a few local schools to have a private tour of the track. They visited scrutineering, team garages, and even the media centre.
We wish them the best in all their studies! #WEC #8HBahrain… pic.twitter.com/K5jbxSrBcO
— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) October 31, 2024
Championship and circuit organisers came together to offer them a curated behind-the-scenes tour which included stops in the media centre, pit lane, race control and trackside viewing areas during a practice session.
Follow FP3 live and free
A full live stream of the final FIA WEC Free Practice session of the season will be available tomorrow with the link below.
During the session outgoing GM Sportscar boss Laura Wontrop Klauser is set to feature as a guest in the booth alongside Martin Haven, Anthony Davidson and Graham Goodwin.
This weekend the broadcast team is completed by Bruce Jouanny and the returning Louise Beckett.
The broadcast is set to go live at 11:50 local time.
