Porsche, as you know, is planning a big Le Mans come back next year. And this is the car they are developing to pit against Audi’s monstrous machines. Unveiled at the Company’s famed Research and Development Centre in Weissach, the 2014 Porsche LMP1 sports prototype has successfully completed its first shakedown.
The way Porsche is getting around developing this car kind of reminds us of the glorious days of the 917. That car was put together by a small group of extremely enthusiastic engineers who created something truly wonderful. These days you can’t make leaps as giant as the ones they made back then, but you get the sense the new LMP1 race car has the same spirit. It is, after all, the spiritual successor to the 917.
The 2014 LMP1 car has its own dedicated workshop and a team of 200 personnel responsible for the design, assembly and deployment. It will be competing from next season in the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Porsche factory drivers who are actively involved in the development process – including Timo Bernhard, who drove the car on its first outing.
“I was involved in the development of the new car right from the outset,” says Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard (Germany). “I’m very proud that I was the one to take our baby through its first paces today. Already now the car feels great. I look forward to testing the vehicle in the coming weeks and months with my friend and colleague Romain Dumas.”
Can’t wait to see the epic battle between this car and the Audi R18 t Le Mans.
