Webber takes world endurance title

The WEC season came to a dramatic close under the bright lights of Bahrain global Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

Porsche teammates Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb and Neel Jani won the race but it was not enough to deny 39-year-old Webber and co-drivers Timo Bernhard of Germany and New Zealander Brendon Hartley from sealing the title.

Lietz along with team-mate Michael Christensen struggled to put flying laps together and start down in seventh in class and 25th overall. They were the runners-up in their no. 7 Audi R-18 e-tron quattro.

The No. 2 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Kazuki Nakajima and Alex Wurz, in his final race, completed the podium in third, benefiting from the attrition-filled race, but enjoying its best run of the season.

It is a first world title for the Australian, who was third in the 2010 Formula 1 championship for Red Bull.

Their tally gave them a sensational double to end the WEC season, having also won the FIA World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship prior to heading to Bahrain.

The No. 26 G-Drive Ligier of Sam Bird, Roman Rusinov and Julien Canal took the silverware in both the LMP2 Drivers’ and Team’s championships in style with a late charge to victory. Porsche led the chase with the 911 RSR of Patrick Pilet and Frederic Makowiecki.

In GTE Pro, Ferrari held sway with the Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Villander 458 Italia heading the sister AF Corse vehicle of Davide Rigon and James Calado.

Aston Martin Racing’s Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda grabbed the pole position honours in the GTE Am class.