Bahrain Wednesday Notebook

Photo: Porsche

***Both Porsche 919 Hybrids are sporting special graphics in this weekend’s Six Hours of Bahrain, in the final race for the German manufacturer’s LMP1 program. The names of more than 500 supporters, from team mechanics to sponsors and catering staff, are adorned on the red stripes, with the shark fin displaying “919 Tribute” instead of the traditional Porsche.

***Porsche is using the hashtag #919Tribute to help share the story of the program’s success, which delivered three consecutive World Championships and victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “At the moment, we’re trying to put all these emotions aside, because we know we still have a race to do and we want to win it,” team principal Andreas Seidl told Sportscar365. ”

***The Porsche LMP1 team, along with its factory GT counterparts, took part in a traditional end-of-season photoshoot Wednesday afternoon (pictured above).

***Seidl confirmed they have no plans to test any additional drivers besides the World Series Formula V8 3.5 series champion in Sunday’s Rookie Test. Pietro Fittipaldi currently holds a 10-point lead over SMP Racing-backed driver Matevos Isaakyan heading into this weekend’s double-header season finale. 

***The runner-up in the the Formula V8 series will test the LMP2 championship-winning car, with the third place finisher set to be placed with the GTE-Pro champions. A final entry list for the Rookie Test is expected to be published on Saturday.

***Fernando Alonso, who is tipped to test with Toyota, is expected to arrive at the circuit on Friday, as a guest of the Bahraini royal family. Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, wholly owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, has a 30 percent stake of McLaren.

***In addition to planned adoption of a Teams’ World Championship and revised points structure for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the FIA and ACO have adopted changes to pit stop regulations for 2018/19, which will permit tire changes during refueling. 

***All planned changes for the WEC ‘Super Season’ is subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, which meets next on Dec. 6.

***Kamui Kobayashi will make his FIA Formula E Championship debut in next month’s season-opener in Hong Kong, having been confirmed at Andretti Formula E on Wednesday for the double-header round. It’s understood the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver is currently signed for Hong Kong-only.

***The first version of the 2018 FIA driver ratings is due to be released this week. As in years’ past, drivers are expected to be able to submit an appeal for a reversal of changes, with a final list to be confirmed by the end of the year.

***Jackie Chan DC Racing’s lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona will feature an all-new set of drivers for one of its Oreca 07 Gibsons, according to team co-owner David Cheng, who indicated a star-studded lineup. Sportscar365 understands it includes a current Formula One driver.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John