Alonso's LMP1 parity claims don't match reality

Fernando Alonso has claimed that Toyota has been pegged back enough for the privateers to challenge the LMP1 squad, but his comments obscure the WEC's balancing act breakthrough.

Gary Watkins Oct 19, 2018, 10:42 AM

Upd: Oct 19, 2018, 10:45 AM

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Fernando Alonso's suggestion that the LMP1 privateers are now ready to start knocking on Toyota's door in the FIA World Endurance Championship caused some consternation after Fuji.

And it would be easy to be outraged if you've only glanced at the results showing the four laps that the Japanese manufacturer's cars had in hand over on the best of the independents on home ground last weekend.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 32nd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 75 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.