FIA WEC Celebrates Milestone of 100 Races: Highlights from Races 51-75
As the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) approaches its centennial race, we revisit significant moments from races 51 to 75, showcasing the competition’s evolution and key achievements.
Key Highlights
51: Dominance of AF Corse
The number 51 represents AF Corse’s continuous success in the WEC, including numerous wins in GTE Pro with both 458 and 488 models, as well as a hypercar victory with the 499P at Le Mans.
52: Silverstone Disqualification
Race 52 at Silverstone in 2018 saw an unprecedented event; despite finishing first, the top two Toyota entries were disqualified due to technical infractions, allowing Rebellion Racing’s #3 R13 to secure an overall victory for the first time outside the dominant factory teams.
53: Aston Martin’s Winning Record
Aston Martin has amassed a total of 53 victories across LMGTE Pro, LMGTE AM, and LMGT3, reflecting its established presence in endurance racing.
54: Diverse Driver Nationalities
The championship has seen 54 different nationalities represented over its history, underscoring the global appeal of the series.
55: Tight GTE Am Title Battle
In 2023, the #33 Corvette secured the GTE Am championship with just a 56-point margin, highlighting the competitive nature of the class.
56: Garage 56 Initiatives
This number commemorates the Garage 56 program, which allows for innovative entries like the Deltawing and unique inclusions such as the NASCAR Camaro at the Centenary Le Mans in 2023.
57: Notable GTE Am Entries
Race #57 was highlighted by various visually striking entries, including rides by Tracy Krohn and Kessel Racing, showcasing diverse livery and performance.
58: Luxury Racing’s Financial Struggles
Luxury Racing initially launched a two-car effort but faced financial difficulties, leading to a premature exit after Le Mans.
59: LMP2 Championship Margin
In the 2023 season, Team WRT clinched the LMP2 championship by a narrow 59 points, demonstrating the highly competitive nature of the class.
60: Ginetta’s LMP1 Challenges
Ginetta’s G60-LTP1 faced hurdles in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, struggling with reliability despite its potential speed.
61: Clearwater Racing’s Milestone
Race 61 was noteworthy for being the only full-season entry from a Singaporean team, Clearwater Racing, who not only participated but also achieved victory.
62: Le Mans Grid Capacity
The current maximum grid size at the 24 Hours of Le Mans stands at 62 cars, a standard maintained to foster intense competition.
63: Ferrari’s Wins Record
Ferrari’s victories across all classes have totalled 63, marking its storied legacy in endurance racing.
64: Sebring’s Historical Entry
The 2012 12 Hours of Sebring remains the largest grid featuring both WEC and ALMS entries, a testament to the event’s impact.
65: Porsche’s Lowest Points Total
Porsche recorded the lowest points in a full-season effort in 2014, with 64.5 points, a stark contrast to its usual podium finishes.
66: Ford GT Returns
The introduction of Ford GTs in GTE Pro in 2016 marked a significant return to the WEC, with initial success observed at Le Mans.
67: Dominance of Oreca in LMP2
Oreca chassis have secured 67 LMP2 wins across multiple iterations, solidifying its reputation in the endurance racing landscape.
68: Age Records in WEC
Jack Gerber set a record as the oldest driver to compete outside of Le Mans, racing at 68 years old in 2013.
69: United Autosports’ Podium
The #22 Oreca 07 from United Autosports marked its exceptional performance with a third-place overall finish in the championship’s 69th race at Monza.
70: Six-Hour Race Milestones
The 70th six-hour race took place in 2025 at the Circuit of the Americas, adding to the calendar’s depth.
71: Porsche’s Record Wins
Porsche leads the WEC with 71 wins across numerous classes, showcasing its historic dominance.
72: Total Racing Hours
The upcoming 2025 FIA WEC championship will consist of 72 hours of competitive racing across eight rounds.
73: Corvette’s Historic Podium
The #73 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R clinched its first overall podium at Le Mans in 2014, marking a significant milestone for the brand.
74: AF Corse’s Enduring Presence
AF Corse has been involved in at least 74 race entries in various classes since 2012, reflecting its commitment to competitive excellence.
75: Records of Oldest Drivers
Dominique Bastien holds the record for being the oldest starter in a WEC race at 75 years, further highlighting the diverse nature of competitors in this series.
The FIA WEC continues to blend tradition and innovation, captivating audiences around the world as it prepares for its 100th race milestone.
