6H Spa-Francorchamps: Wednesday Paddock Notes
HERTZ Team JOTA gearing up for Hypercar debut
This weekend marks a huge step for JOTA’s FIA WEC effort. The team is on-site with its Porsche 963 Hypercar, which it took delivery of just last week. This is only the beginning of its ambitious multi-year plan, as it hopes to become a two-car team in the top class in 2024.
Team co-owner Sam Hignett confirmed to DSC that the vast majority of the crew running its 963 have been drawn from its championship-winning LMP2 effort, supported by some technical input from Porsche.
“We shook the car down with Matt Campbell at Weissach before bringing it straight here. This weekend is about getting as much mileage as possible, getting through the race. After that, we’ll see where we are. We have two days booked at Paul Ricard, with the possibility of further testing prior to Le Mans.”
Heart of Racing colours applied
Following the news of Paul Dalla Lana’s retirement from racing on Monday, the Northwest AMR #98 Aston Martin has been switched to Heart of Racing colours for the change in driver line-up. PDL’s decision and the subsequent programme for Heart of Racing came together very late.
Heart of Racing driver Ian James told DSC: “We only knew we were coming about five days ago. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of logistics, form-filling and all the other things you never think about. We are obviously delighted to be here. This is a programme we wanted from the start of the season, but we weren’t successful in getting an entry.
“The crew is obviously the regular #98 crew, with our drivers. I want to say a big thank you to Paul (Dalla Lana). He’s been a big part of the WEC’s GT scene for a long time. He’s a real example, but everybody has their time, and he’s decided that obviously, his time is now.
“We are looking forward to the weekend and obviously Le Mans and beyond, when we will have more time to think about the future.”
Adding further complications to the mix, Ian James was due to be competing with Heart of Racing at the GT4 America meeting at NOLA this weekend and has been replaced by Roman De Angelis.
Newly painted runoff areas
Drone shots from the FIA WEC’s social channels today showcased new painted run-off areas at Eau Rouge Raidillon and the Bus Stop, as part of the new-look Spa circuit, which is still undergoing major upgrades to the spectator experience.
Tomorrow we look forward to the official unveiling of the ‘endurance’ grandstand, opposite the old pits, which looks set to provide the fans trackside with a panoramic view of the run from La Source to the Kemmel Straight.
Porsche talent pool gets a taste of Hypercar
Several members of the Porsche Carerra Cup talent pool were hosted this afternoon in the Porsche Penske team garages, accompanied by mentors Sascha Maasen and Wolf Henzler, where they were given a guided tour of the Porsche 963 by senior members of the team, including Urs Kuratle, the director of Porsche factory racing.
Peugeot’s last weekend in grey
Peugeot’s pair of 9X8s are here in Spa sporting their factory grey livery for the final time before the programme shifts to a striking artistic design from Le Mans onwards.
Prema mascots
The pair of Prema Racing ORECA 07s were sporting new mascots today, with Mario and Luigi present to assist the FIA WEC’s TV commentators with spotting difference between the #63 and the #9.
Teams on the road
It’s the third consecutive week of ACO-rules racing in Europe, after the FIA WEC’s race in Portimao and the ELMS opening weekend in Barcelona. A large number of team personnel (including Proton Competition, TF Sport, AF Corse, Inter Europol, Kessel Racing and United Autosport) plus dozens of others from LMEM organisational teams and TV and media have spent this month circuit-hopping.
Now entering the third week of paddock life, the cancellation of the ELMS weekend at Imola looks to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for many included in the list above…
Cadillac doubles up
Today’s paddock walk saw DSC get its first glimpse of the second Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, which will be driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Action Express driver Jack Aitken this weekend.
The car, as previously reported by DSC, is a brand new chassis, which will receive a baptism of fire tomorrow, like JOTA’s 963, with the challenging Spa circuit (and the unpredictable weather that comes with it) as the venue for its first true run in anger.
Drone shots and Cadillac image courtesy of FIA WEC
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