As if the season finale in the FIA World Endurance Championship, just like any other end to the season, wasn’t emotional enough, there were several other things making the ninth round of the year to something very special.
Porsche had already announced their departure from LMP1, at the end of the season, many months ago, and from now on, the focus will be on their GTE participation.
Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Anthony Davidson got a tear in his eye midway through the race. There was a stray cat running onto the circuit in the middle of the race, getting awfully close to the racing cars. That immediately resulted in a local yellow, and a lot of people – including Toyota Gazoo Racing – expected a Full Course Yellow to be called, so the marshals would be able to go and retrieve the cat.
A call was sent to Davidson in the hospitality area to get ready to get in the car, and the Englishman had to run as fast as he could. During the rush, he slammed his left foot into a door and actually broke a toe. He had to cope with the pain and took an almost one and a half hour stint in the car, before he handed over to Sebastien Buemi, who almost got an extra hour of driving in the car, compared to what had been planned prior to the race. And the car #8 actually won the race.
While the tears from Davidson was from physical pain, it was tears of joy by Hollie Harrington. Hollie has been in a relationship with Sam Bird through many years, and she was present at the season finale in Bahrain. Bird drove the AF Corse Ferrari #71 over the line as winner of the GTE Pro category, and as soon as he had parked up the car in Parc Ferme, he headed straight to Hollie and knelt down and proposed to her – and she did say yes.
Photo: JJ Media
Racing24-7.net would like to wish Anthony Davidson a speedy recovery, and massive congratulations for the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Bird.
