As 2017 is on it’s final laps, we take a look at the best machines that conquered motorsport in various championships across the globe.
From January to late November, we witnessed many amazing races and enjoyed a season full of battles, joys, drama and great racing. Competition at it’s finest and the best is still yet to come in 2018. So as we draw closer to a brand new year, we take a look at the best racing machines that set foot on track.
Please note, that spec series were not taken under consideration. So here is the list of the 5 best race cars of 2017.
#5 Oreca 07
The introduction of the new for 2017 LMP2 machines left many privateer teams with only for options for a chassis supply and one spec engine to race. But in the end, it was Oreca which produced the best car in the category. The results speak from themselves, as the LMP2 machine was the only chassis in WEC this year and the only one that took a pole position in IMSA at Sebring. Also, the Gibson engine 07 smashed the lap record at Le Mans with Oreca making 1-2-3 in class and 2nd overall. Congratulations to the team and all involved in the project of making an amazing race car.
#4 Ferrari SF-70H
This year Ferrari had a great chance of challenging Mercedes for the world title. Since winter testing, the Prancing Horse seemed to be tha car to beat and won the first race of the season. Quick in all conditions and with Sebastian Vettel in the wheel, won 5 out of 20 races of the season. Consistency is always the key in terms of pace, but reliability issues costs and that’s the reason of missing out the top 3 places.
#3 Cadillac DPi-VR
Cadillac made a fairytale return to the top endurance series in US with it’s DPi prototype based on the Dallara LMP2 machine. The car was on a class of it’s own in the first races in IMSA, winning both Daytona 24H and the Sebring 12H with Wayne Taylor Racing. I a total of 10 races, alongside Action Express racing, the 6.2 liter V8 car won 7 out of 10 races that participated, with Cadillac winning the constructors championship. Clearly one of the best cars of this year and worthy of a top spot in our list.
#2 Porsche 919 Hybrid
Porsche came to the 2017 WEC season with an aim of a third consecutive victory at Le Mans and winning again the world title. The aggressive strategy to field the LM aero kit from Silverstone paid out and scored the 19th victory for the German manufacturer. After a hard fight with Toyota, the #2 triumphed and went to win the world championship in drivers and constructors for the final time in the modern era of LMP1. The 919 Hybrid said it’s goodbye in Bahrain and without any doubt it is now one of the most successful racecars of all time.
#1 Mercedes W08 EQ Power+
The 2017 season in F1 was the most exciting since the turbo Hybrid era begun with Mercedes and Ferrari battling for the world crown. But it was the German manufacturer who built the winning car, winning 12 races in total. The always really fast Lewis Hamilton mastered the “diva”, won 9 of them and also climbed up in the 1st place in total pole positions in Monza. The W08 wasn’t always the fastest car, but had the best reliability, topped the speed charts most of the times and proved in the end the car to beat, especially with Hamilton onboard.
Congratulations to Mercedes for making the best car of 2017 and winning their 4th consecutive drivers and constructors championships.
