Porsche released the first images of its LMP1 contender just after the Le Mans test weekend, becoming the first of the manufacturers that will contest next year’s World Endurance Championship
to break cover.
Audi and Toyota have tests planned in the coming months, but Porsche has had to take a big risk with regard to the regulations in terms of being ready first,
before the regulations have been defined. The LMP1 car completed its first laps several weeks earlier than planned. ‘We are well on schedule,’ said Fritz Entzinger, Head of the LMP1 programme.
‘Our newly-formed team has worked with utmost concentration on getting this highly complex vehicle on the track as soon as possible. This allows us a few additional weeks for more testing and further development.
From 2014, the regulations are primarily based on efficiency. This makes the competition amongst engineers more interesting and presents us with completely new challenges.
Porsche returns this year with a factory team for the first time since 1998, when Laurent Aiello, Allan McNish and Stephane Ortelli won overall. Read all about the manufacturer’s
2013 GTE contender in this month’s edition of Racecar Engineering.
