If the 4 Hours of Silverstone and 6 Hours of Fuji are any guide, a tightly-fought race is in store this weekend at the 4 Hours of Shanghai, the third date on the 2019-20 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar.  

In the premier LMP1 class, the newly introduced Success Handicap and a specific strategy suited to the shorter four-hour format will add spice to the battle between hybrid and non-hybrid prototypes. Will Rebellion Racing and Team LNT take advantage of the new conditions to overthrow Toyota Gazoo Racing on Sunday?   

In LMP2 and LMGTE Pro and Am, the pace is already picking up in the race to the championship title. Porsche and Aston Martin have already scored a win each in the LMGTE Pro class, but Ferrari will undoubtedly be hoping in China to become the third different marque to triumph in as many races.

Racing Team Nederland currently leads the way in LMP2 but, as ever, there is very little to choose between a number of competitors. Jackie Chan DC Racing will be looking to come out on top on their home patch, while Cool Racing, Signatech Alpine Elf and others will be in with a shout too. 

Former LMP2 driver François Perrodo is now back in the LMGTE Am fold and currently tops the standings along with Emmanuel Collard and Nicklas Nielsen (AF Corse).   

Eighty-seven drivers in 31 cars will take to the track in the third round of the 2019-20 FIA WEC season. Check out the provisional entry list here.

Timetable for the 4 Hours of Shanghai (in local time, GMT+8):

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
11:00-12:30 – Free Practice 1
15:30-17:00 – Free Practice 2

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER
09:50-10:50 – Free Practice 3
From 14:00 – Qualifying 

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
12:00-16:00 – Race

 

PHOTO: The 6 Hours of Fuji podium last month. Will a different set of drivers take the top step again in Shanghai this weekend?

Copyright 2019 Tim Hearn, AdrenalMedia.com