24h Le Mans
As Season 8 of the FIA World Endurance Championship kicks off this weekend at Silverstone (UK), we look at British drivers and their history with endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This third installment highlights six overall and class winners at Silverstone.
Of the 20 British drivers set to take the start in this weekend's 4 Hours of Silverstone – nearly a quarter of the field at the opening round of the FIA WEC – figure one overall and five class winners at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Guy Smith and Bentley – Driver of the #6 Ginetta in the LMP1 class at the 4 Hours of Silverstone, in 2003 Smith marked Bentley's return to the 24 Hours of Mans by claiming the top step on the podium with Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen. The eighth and most recent participation in the 24 Hours for Smith dates back to 2011 with Rebellion Racing, along with Andrea Belicchi and Jean-Christophe Boullion.
James Calado, winner and champion – Since he joined Ferrari and AF Corse in 2015, Calado's career has soared. Crowned the 2017 FIA Endurance GT Drivers Champion (with Alessandro Pier Guidi), he won the LMGTE Pro class at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. What a stunning birthday present as the British driver turned 30 on 13 June during the race.
Oliver Jarvis, four podium finishes and one victory – A former factory Audi driver in LMP1, Jarvis quickly and regularly reached the podium at Le Mans, finishing third with the marque in 2012, 2013 and 2016. He moved up a step to second place overall in 2017 and LMP2 winner with Thomas Laurent and Ho-Pin Tung for Jackie Chan DC Racing. At the 4 Hours of Silverstone, he will join forces with Guy Smith at the wheel of the #6 Ginetta.
Will Stevens, the British rocket – After his first appearance in endurance racing in 2016, it only took Stevens a few months to become one of the most outstanding drivers in the LMP2 class, with two consecutive wins in the FIA WEC. In 2017, he demonstrated his talent by winning the LMGTE Am class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Ferrari fielded by British team JMW Motorsport, shared with Rob Smith and Dries Vanthoor. For Season 8, he will represent Jackie Chan DC Racing and is already a top LMP2 favourite.
Darren Turner and Jonny Adam, Aston Martin veterans – On the heels of Aston Martin's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and endurance racing in 2005, Turner won two consecutive victories at Le Mans with the British manufacturer (2007 and 2008). He would then have to wait until 2017 for his third triumph, in LMGTE Pro thanks to his teammate Jonny Adam who clinched the win in the penultimate lap of the race after a heated duel with Jordan Taylor's Corvette.
PHOTOS: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, JUNE 2019. From top to bottom: James Calado, Oliver Jarvis, Will Stevens, Darren Turner and Jonny Adam.
