2016 British GT Champion Jonny Adam replaces Richie Stanaway in the #97 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE and will race alongside Darren Turner for the season finale, rejoining the WOrks WEC team for the first time since Le Mans.
One of the talking points in the FIA WEC paddock is again set to be GTE Pro Balance of Performance with yet another change made in the run up to the season finale, this time affecting only the Ford GTs, after dominant 1,2 performances at the last two races, they have been dealt a 20 kg weight penalty and turbo restrictions across almost the entire power band.
It would be difficult to overstate the level of discontent with the current system amongst entrants, the almost universal response, or even pro-active comment, being that the IMSA system of performance equalisation is far superior, with a not dissimilar field, and has now effectively dispensed with paddock dissent and wrangling.
Many expect the AF Corse Ferraris to race very well this weekend, untouched by the BoP change they have done what they needed to do in recent races, outscoring the Aston Martins. Ferrari’s tactics in this regard are usually faultless – Have they put themselves in a position for a fast clean run to the title?
Bahrain International Circuit sees two FIA Championship staking place this weekend with the season finales of the CIK FIA World Karting Championship and World Junior Championship at the adjacent (and very impressive) Kart circuit.
It is believed to be the first time that two, and certainly the first time that three, FIA World Championships have had their season finales at the same venue on the same weekend.
2016 Dragonspeed LMP2 driver Ben Hanley is amongst the 150 driver entry for a full weekend of karting competition and is again likely to be at the sharp end of the contest.
