#009 Aston Martin repaired
The #009 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie has been repaired following its accident at the Prologue, comfortably in time for the start of Free Practice 1 tomorrow.
The car, which will be raced by Marco Sørensen and Alex Riberas, went through pre-event scrutineering this morning.
Rainbow stripes for the defending World Champions
The #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P of defending drivers’ champions James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi is running with five coloured stripes on the banner above its windscreen this year.
The stripes match the colour and order of those worn on the jersey of the reigning world champions in professional cycling. Imola, by chance, is the perfect venue for the design to debut, with the circuit having hosted the 2020 UCI Road World Championships.
Both works Ferrari’s are also running with a sticker of the FIA champion laurel, in honour of last year’s manufacturers’ world championship triumph.
Class stickers removed
For 2026, cars will no longer run with stickers indicating which class the car is competing in. This information is instead covered on the digital information displays fitted to each car.
DSC has also learned further details as to some of the functionality to the display panels, following their fan-led overhaul. Post-race, podium finishers will now display their position with a laurel graphic.
The changes to the functionality of the panels came as a direct result of fan feedback with the FIA official involved liaising with WEC management and taking the views into account of WEC TV commentators Ant Davidson and DSC Editor in Chief Graham Goodwin.
Bosch extends FIA WEC partnership
Bosch, which supplies several key parts to the spec LMDh hybrid system, has announced that it has extended its premium and technical partnership with the FIA WEC through until the end of 2027.
Ingo Mauel, Head of Bosch Motorsport, said: “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with the FIA World Endurance Championship for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This collaboration is driven by our deep passion for developing pioneering technologies and underlines our shared ambition with FIA WEC and the ACO to shape the future of endurance racing.
“The championship is the ultimate proving-ground for our advanced hybrid systems, allowing us to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency under the most demanding conditions. We are proud to continue transferring this pioneering spirit from the racetrack to the road.”
Former drivers visit Legends of Le Mans paddock
Alexander Wurz and Loic Duval have both made visits to the Legends of Le Mans paddock, to visit their own former Peugeot 908s, which are being run this weekend by BBM Sport.
Other drivers to have gone and taken a look at the post-modern historic cars include Mike Conway, Nyck De Vries, Malthe Jakobsen and Theo Pourchaire.
Henrion gifted Legends drive
Eric De Doncker, the reigning Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 Pro/Am drivers’ champion, is listed for the Legends of Le Mans in a LMP1 Pescarolo.
The Belgian has gifted his 2025 championship-winning partner, and 2026 co-driver, Gillian Henrion, an opportunity to drive the car in Free Practice on Friday.
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland on support package
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland will open its eight-round season this weekend, for the European race debut of the new 992.2-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
This year’s grid features siblings of two of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans LMGT3 winners, with Sam Shahin and Porsche junior driver Flynt Schuring both on the 31-car grid.
Genesis’ big quiz
Genesis Magma Racing held a quiz in its hospitality unit last night for members of the FIA WEC paddock, with each team joined by one of Genesis’ Hypercar drivers.
With round themes including Genesis and Italy, to the shock of many, the win went to a team featuring multiple Italian journalists and one of Genesis’ senior management!
*The team involving DSC’s Ewan Wane and Graham Goodwin came an in no way disgruntled second place!
Image courtesy of Ferrari
