FIA ENDURANCE TROPHY FOR LMGTE PRO DRIVERS
After the dramatic events of the first lap in Shanghai, when a collision accounted for the Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia, the title battle has opened up as we approach the final two races of the season.
Three sets of drivers remain in contention. Bruni and Vilander lead on 131 points over Frederic Makowiecki (106.5 points) and Richard Lietz (91 points). The point totals for Patrick Pilet and Jörg Bergmeister are high enough to keep them in contention but, as they are co-driving with Makowiecki and Lietz, respectively, they cannot outscore their already higher-placed teammates and are eliminated from a title charge.
In the event of a tie on points, Bruni/Vilander currently hold the advantage as they have scored more class wins. However, if Makowiecki wins at both Bahrain or Interlagos, he will inherit the tiebreaker advantage.
Here are some key permutation facts to keep abreast of this weekend:
If Bruni/Vilander win the LMGTE Pro class at Bahrain, they will take the title. If they take second and Makowiecki does not win, then Bruni/Vilander are also champions. Also, if Bruni/Vilander finish third and Makowiecki does not win or finish second, then Bruni/Vilander win.
Conversely, Makowiecki will take the class lead if he wins the class and Bruni/Vilander are not classified. Makowiecki is only able to take the lead in the LMGTE Pro class points table at Bahrain but cannot clinch the title himself here.
If Richard Lietz finishes lower than third, he is eliminated from the title fight. If he finishes third, then Bruni/Vilander must also finish lower than tenth or not be classified and also, Makowiecki must not win or take the pole. In that case, Lietz remains in (remote) contention for an unlikely championship push.
FIA ENDURANCE TROPHY FOR LMGTE AM DRIVERS
Just two sets of drivers remain in contention for LMGTE Am honours and they are both from the Aston Martin Racing stable. David Heinemeier Hansson and Kristian Poulsen lead with 154 points over Christoffer Nygaard/Paul Dalla Lana/Pedro Lamy who have accrued 123 points.
If Heinemeier Hansson/Poulsen win at Bahrain, they take the title regardless of where Nygaard/Dalla Lana/Lamy finish.
If Heinemeier Hansson / Poulsen finish second or third, then Nygaard/Dalla Lana/Lamy must win in order to remain in contention.
Should Nygaard/Dalla Lana/Lamy finish fifth or higher and Heinemeier Hansson/Poulsen not be classified then the title battle will continue in Brazil.
In case of a tiebreaker, Heinemeier Hansson/Poulsen retain the advantage due to their superior first place finishes in the LMGTE Am class. That tiebreaker advantage would revert to Nygaard/Dalla Lana/Lamy in the event they won both of the remaining rounds or finished first in one and second in the other.
Sam Smith
