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#24 CEFC Manor Oreca 07 Gibson: Tor Graves, Jonathan Hirschi, Jean-Eric Vergne
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Analysis

Why Le Mans' saviour is needed again

After the shock withdrawal of Audi and Porsche from LMP1 in the past two years, the top level of the WEC will be bolstered by new privateer entries for the 2018-19 superseason. On paper that might sound like desperation, but it looks set to pay off.

The privateer is back. Back as an important component of the premier LMP1 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the World Endurance Championship. And, quite possibly, back in the hunt for outright victories against factory opposition.

This had been the avowed intent of the rulemakers, most pertinently the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, organiser of Le Mans and promoter of the WEC, as it strived to resurrect LMP1 privateer participation that slumped to a one-car low at the 24 Hours last year.

Previous article Ogier eyes Le Mans bid after retiring from WRC
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