Sunday July 24 sees the fourth round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship take place at the Nürburgring.
After an enthralling first three rounds of the 2016 season, Porsche lead the Manufacturers Championship on 127 points, 32 points ahead of Audi. Toyota, following its heartbreak at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, are third in the Manufacturers’ title chase on 70 points.
In the race for the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams, Signatech Alpine, with its #36 Nissan-powered Alpine A460, currently leads the standings on 87 points after its win at the French classic. The #26 G-Drive Racing ORECA 05 is second on 66 points after its pole position and second place at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Third in the Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams, on 56 points, is the #43 RGR Sport by Morand Ligier JS P2 after a consistent season so far in 2016.
Leading the FIA World Endurance Cup for GT Manufacturers, where the classification reflects both Pro and Am entries, Aston Martin lead the standings with 112 points. Ferrari are second with 103 and, after a dominant showing at Le Mans, Ford are now third on 98 points. Now that Ford has found its pace, this will be a closely fought title as the season progresses.
Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK does lead, however, in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Pro Teams where its #66 Ford GT victory at Le Mans means it sits eight points above the #71 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE on 60 points. The #95 Aston Martin Racing is currently third on 51 points.
In the LMGTE Am Team category, the #83 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia leads the way on 93 points after its win at Le Mans, 38 points ahead of the #88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR. The #50 Larbre Competition Chevrolet Corvette C7 sits in third with 54 points, one point behind the #88 car.
There have been some interesting driver changes for the 6 Hours of Nürburgring. In LMP2 Alex Brundle has been confirmed as taking the seat vacated by Nathanaël Berthon in the #26 G-Drive Racing ORECA 05. Will Stevens took the seat for Le Mans but Brundle tested for G-Drivev Racing at the Test Weekend for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and appears to have been the first choice for the spare seat. The FIA World Endurance Championship will fit in well with his existing commitments to United Autosports in the European Le Mans Series.
Danny Watts is missing from the #42 Strakka Racing Gibson 015S and his seat is taken by Lewis Williamson.
Will Stevens will not be returning to the #44 Manor ORECA 05 for Nürburging after his move to switch teams to G-Drive Racing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His seat is taken by Antônio Pizzonia for the Nürburgring.
Perhaps the most dramatic news ahead of Round 4 of the FIA World Endurance Championship was that Aston Martin Racing has released Fernando Rees and Jonny Adam from the #97 Aston Martin Martin Vantage. Instead Darren Turner moves from the #95 car to partner Richie Stanaway. Nicki Thiim and Marco Sørensen remain in the #95 car.
Qualifying for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship begins on Saturday July 23 at 14:15 local time with the lights going out for the start of the six-hour race at 13:00 on Sunday July 24.
