After the no-holds barred action of Silverstone comes an even mouth-watering prospect as nine LMP1s, eight manufacturer and one privateer, go head to head for more WEC glory this weekend.
Amid the glorious settings of Spa-Francorchamps the usual challengers are joined by third entries from Audi and for the first time ever Porsche.
After a famous victory by the slender margin of 4.610s for the #7 Audi R18 e-tron quattro of Marcel Fässler/ André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyerat Silverstone earlier this month, Audi Sport Team Joest have been about testing at both Paul Ricard and Monza in readiness to unleash the lower-downforce spec Audi R18 e-tron quattro at Spa. One of the entries in Belgium is expected to be running in more or less full Le Mans specification.
The #9 Audi R18 e-tron quattro is entered for Marco Bonanomi, Filipe Albuquerque and new LMP recruit René Rast. The latter of this trio is no stranger to Spa however as he is a two time winner of the Spa 24 Hours.
The third Porsche 919 Hybrid needs little introduction as one of the biggest stories of the pre-season becomes reality. Nico Hülkenberg will become the first contemporary F1 driver in six years to have duel endurance and Grand Prix programmes. The German is partnered by fellow WEC LMP1 debutants Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.
Over at Toyota there are no new faces but there is a new formal team name, as they become Toyota GAZOO Racing from Spa onwards.
The World Champions will be aiming to consolidate a solid third and fourth place at Silverstone by attempting to defend their Spa crown that was won last season. The pair of Toyota TS 040 HYBRID LMP1 racers is likely to suit the undulating Spa track better than at Silverstone and will, as ever, be right in the mix for victory.
THe no4 Team Bykolles CLM-AER is the sole privateer entry in the LMP1 class at Spa, with the Rebellion Racing R-One's due to make their 2015 debut at Le Mans. The AER powered CLM P1/01 will be driven by Swiss driver Simon Trummer and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi at Spa as the Austrian team attempt to get the first championship points on the board before their Swiss rivals arrive in the championship in June.
So, whether you are at the track watching in awe at Eau Rouge and Pouhon or just tuning in to WEC’s best ever TV and Web streaming coverage, the excitement and expectation will be almost tangible as the cars get set for round two of the World Endurance Championship this Saturday.
The race is scheduled to begin at 14.30cet.
