#Porsche lmdh

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[racing-is-passion]

Vettels Porsche test in Aragon

On Tuesday, Sebastian Vettel completed his first real test in the Porsche 963 LMDh car of the WEC in Aragon, completing 118 laps and seemed to make a good impression. Vettel, in any case, was in good spirits and said, "Driving the Porsche 963 here in Aragon on the track was definitely fun." He further explained, "I had to get used to everything and find my rhythm. The feeling of driving is different just because of the roof over my head, as well as dealing with the higher weight and the tires. The Porsche factory drivers were very helpful and explained to me what is special and what I need to get used to."

Jonathan Diuguid, the head of the Penske-Porsche racing program, also seemed very impressed with Vettel's test, but left open whether Vettel will be at the start in Le Mans. "Sebastian Vettel testing for us here is a unique opportunity for the team. As a four-time Formula 1 world champion, he has immense experience with hybrid systems and high-performance racing cars. His fresh and unique perspective on where we stand with our Porsche 963, and his feedback on our systems, are extremely valuable," said Diuguid. Regarding Vettel in Le Mans, he said, "He got out of the car with a smile on his face, which is a good sign."

I will definitely keep you updated on the topic of Vettel and Le Mans.

Source of Vettel and Diuguid statements: motorsport-total.com

[motorsportverso]

A Mustang Simpling Racing volta ao IMSA em acordo com a Proton

A Mustang Simpling Racing fara seu retorno ao IMSA após uma ausência na temporada de 2023, em acordo com a Proton Competition com o Porsche que  na última temporada era o Porsche #59 que tinha o patrocinador Wheatertech Racing.

A equipe já teve acordos com a Action Express Racing nos de 2015-2019 , quando corria antes com Corvette e Cadillac, e 2020-2022 com a JDC Miller Motorsports com Cadillac na era DPI, e um dos pilotos da equipe quando tinha o acordo com Action Express , era o Christian Fittipaldi.

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A post shared by Le Mans Hypercar News | Daniel🇩🇪 (@lemanshypercarnews)

[haywire4]

soon

[umseb]

"The smile after driving the Porsche 963 for the first time …Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel enjoyed a successful test with the Porsche 963 at @.motorlandaragon, completing a total of 118 laps and covering more than 581 kilometres over two double stints. For Vettel, it was the first on-track test with an LMDh-regulation hybrid prototype. Porsche Penske Motorsport is preparing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15/16 June with an endurance test on the 5.345-kilometre circuit near Alcañiz in Spain." - march 26, 2024 📷 @.porsche_newsroom / instagram

[coimbrabertone]

Le Mans vs. Daytona, Two Sides of the Endurance Racing Coin.

A bit of a belated blog on the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, how it compares to the other major 24-hour race - the Rolex 24 at Daytona - and how IMSA and WEC differ.

First things first, sports car racing in general is at a peak right now.

The largest prototype fields in decades, interclass competition of sorts with LMDh/GTP cars on one end and Hypercars on the other, and equally diverse GT3 fields to go with it. It's not a competition between IMSA and WEC as far as I'm concerned, both series collaborated on these regulations and that has benefitted endurance racing as a whole.

That being said, I've noticed some differences between the two, and I've had some discussions with friends about it lately.

The crux is this: the Rolex 24 at Daytona is the curtain raiser for the racing season, where drivers from every discipline from Formula One to NASCAR to half the Indycar field, plus all the regular cast of characters from endurance racing come to play. It's all within the confines of a 2.5-mile oval with big grandstands and clear sightlines, and the lights are all over the track, meaning you can see all the action pretty well. It's also in Daytona Beach a few weeks ahead of the Daytona 500.

Daytona is a party, a celebration of motorsport to kick off the next season of racing.

Le Mans, meanwhile, is a beacon of history. The start-finish line is where it has always been, the Dunlop Bridge has outlasted Dunlop itself making racing tyres, and it's an old school reminder to when those types of circular bridges were all over racing. Then onto the Mulsanne, the long, dark highway, with bits of civilization interspersed with woods, a theme with continues in the back half of the track. Some corners are named after historic tracks, like Indianapolis, others are named after the marques which defined era of Le Mans history - Corvette, Porsche, and Ford in particular.

Corvette, which has dominated GT racing at Le Mans for decades now.

Porsche, which is the most successful brand at Le Mans, and

Ford, who went back-to-back-to-back-to-back in the late 60s with the GT40, and then returned with the GT1 and GTE models in more recent decades.

That dedication to history shows in the broadcast too, with the broadcast often cutting to Tom Kristensen for interviews or by harkening back to similar events in Le Mans' past. Obviously, that's something that comes up in all racing broadcasts, but it was very apparent at Le Mans this year.

For the record, I'm not saying that's bad, this blog is proof that I'm a massive nerd when it comes to racing history, and I love that, I'm just noting it's a difference.

The crowd burning a couch in celebration after the 12 Hours of Sebring? Fans celebrating the misadventures of the Sean Creech Motorsports American flag Ligier LMP2 with its many cautions at Daytona and now Watkins Glen? You don't really see that at Le Mans.

In fact, there was one very fun thing from the 2023 Le Mans that was missing this year: the Garage 56 NASCAR. Now, i understand that was a one-off thing, and I do get the impression that the hydrogen car they showed off before the race - which was numbered #24, just like the NASCAR had been - was supposed to be a G56 entry for this year but they couldn't quite get it working yet, so I know that it's a bit of an unfair criticism to levy against Le Mans.

Still, 2023 had the big Camaro memes, the V8 sound, all those Freebird on the Mulsanne edits, it made Le Mans more fun.

And of course, Le Mans is fun even without those things - ferris wheels, fireworks, and, you know, the whole twenty-four hours of motor racing thing - all make for appointment television for racing nerds like me, but it is something I've noticed coming out of the 2024 race.

So does Le Mans need to change? No, i don't think so.

I like seeing cars coming down the Mulsanne, I like seeing the Ferrari hypercar racing against Toyota in addition to all the cars that do both IMSA and WEC, I like the announcers getting increasingly delirious as it gets into the night stint, and I like the fact that Valentino Rossi is now a BMW GT3 driver who competed at Le Mans.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is probably more fun that Le Mans and its position on the calendar probably lets it get a handful of one-off drivers that may not be able to do Le Mans, but Le Mans also attracts plenty of unique talent as well. Ferrari doesn't do IMSA, nor does Toyota, nor does Valentino Rossi.

Would I like them to? Absolutely.

Am I fine with just having two different, successful endurance racing series on either side of the Atlantic? Absolutely. It's like the modern version of CART vs. Formula One as far as I'm concerned, only this time, I'm in a position to enjoy it.

So yeah, there are some things I prefer about IMSA, but there's plenty I love about Le Mans as well.

Hell, the fact that after the sister Ferrari won last year, we got to see the #50 Ferrari of Nicklas Nielsen, Miguel Molina, and Antonio Fuoco win. Both cars have now won Le Mans, and this means that last year's Antonio Giovinazzi, and this year's Antonio Fuoco - two drivers I've followed since the mid-to-late 2010s when they were actively in the open wheel junior series - are both Le Mans winners.

That's cool. I love the fact that drivers can fulfill their dream of winning for Ferrari, not just in Formula One, but now at Le Mans too. It's a great time to see, and between this and Indycar, I'm developing a lot of hope for talented junior drivers without F1 prospects.

Hell, on that very note, Felipe Drugovich raced at Le Mans for Action Express Cadillac this year, which seems to be his first time back in a major racing series since his F2 title campaign. Glad to see him back behind the wheel, just wish it went better for him.

Anyway, this last weekend of racing was a bit of a dud for me and I find myself busy yet again, so I'll leave the blogpost here, but do let you know what you think!

[formulaphoe]

a deep dive into endurance racing

wec for beginners

image source: british gq

the fia world endurance championship (wec) is a racing discipline where speed meets strategy, and drivers push their limits for hours on end. if you're new to this exhilarating world, or if you've been following it from a distance, we're going to explore everything you need to know about this thrilling motorsport.

what is wec?

image source: dailysportscar

the wec, established in 2012, is an international series of endurance races organised by the fédération internationale de l'automobile (fia). it brings together the best manufacturers and drivers from around the globe, testing not just their speed, but also their ability to endure the grueling demands of long-distance racing. each race can last anywhere from six to 24 hours, with teams often swapping drivers and strategising pit stops to keep their cars in peak condition.

key features

endurance racing format: unlike traditional races that might only last a couple of hours, wec events are marathons. the races include the iconic 24 hours of le mans, a test of stamina, skill, and strategy, held annually since 1923. other races in the championship include six-hour events at various tracks around the world.

diverse categories: the wec features several classes of cars, including le mans prototype (lmp) and grand touring (gt) categories. each class has its own unique set of regulations and performance characteristics, making for an exciting mix on the track

global reach: the championship hosts races in various countries, providing fans with a chance to experience a multitude of different tracks and cultures. from the rolling hills of spa-francorchamps in belgium to the iconic circuit de la sarthe in france, each location brings its own challenges and charm.

evolution of wec

image source: wec-magazin

the history of the wec is a fascinating one. it replaced the previous intercontinental le mans cup and aimed to revitalize interest in endurance racing. the early years saw fierce competition, particularly in the lmp1 class, which featured powerful hybrid prototypes from manufacturers like audi, porsche, and toyota. these teams showcased cutting-edge technology, blending performance with environmental considerations.

as the years progressed, regulations changed, leading to the introduction of the le mans daytona h (lmdh) class, which aims to bring more manufacturers into the fold. this class allows for greater technical freedom while ensuring that costs remain manageable, making it more accessible for teams looking to compete at the highest level.

iconic races and legendary teams

image source: autosport

one of the standout features of wec is its iconic races. the 24 hours of le mans is undoubtedly the crown jewel, drawing massive crowds and significant media attention. winning at le mans is considered one of the highest honours in motorsport, and teams prepare for it all year round.

aside from le mans, other races like the 6 hours of silverstone and the 6 hours of fuji have become staples in the endurance racing calendar. legendary teams such as audi, porsche, and toyota have built a rich legacy in these events, each with their own stories of triumph and heartache.

the role of technology

image source: pit lane

technology plats a massive role in wec racing. cars are equipped with hybrid powertrains, advanced aerodynamics, and sophisticated data analytics. this focus on innovation not only pushes the boundaries of performance on the track, but also helps manufacturers develop technologies that can be applied to road cars too. the crossover between motorsport and everyday vehicles is a hallmark of wec's philosophy, blending sustainability with speed.

sustainability and the future

as we move towards a more environmentally-conscious future, the wec has made significant strides in promoting sustainability. with the introduction of hybrid technology and plans for fully electric racing, the championship is at the forefront of a green revolution in motorsport. this focus on eco-friendliness doesn't sacrifice the excitement and competitiveness that fans crave; instead, it enhances the sport's relevance in a changing world.

how to get involved

image source: racer

whether you're a die-hard motorsport enthusiast or a casual fan, getting involved in the wec can be incredibly rewarding. attending a race is an experience like no other. the atmosphere is electric, and the camaraderie among fans is palpable. for those who prefer to enjoy the action from home, wec races are broadcast worldwide, often featuring comprehensive coverage that highlights not just the racing, but also the stories behind the teams and drivers that make up the sport.

sources

"fia world endurance championship." fia wec, www.fiawec.com/en/

"fia world endurance championship." wikipedia, 9 aug. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIA_World_Endurance_Championship

"wec beginner's guide: about the fia wec." wec-magazin, www.wec-magazin.com/features/about-the-fia-wec/

"fia world endurance championship." federation internationale de l'automobile, www.fia.com/events/world-endurance-championship/season-2023/fia-world-endurance-championship

"the world of wec: a beginner's guide to endurance racing." circuit of the americas, 1 sept. 2023, www.circuitoftheamericas.com/blog/2023/9/1/the-world-of-wec-a-beginners-guide-to-endurance-racing/

"history of the wec." wec-magazin, www.wec-magazin.com/features/history-of-the-wec/

if any errors or typos are noticed, PLS PLS point them out via comment, ask, or dm. if there is a specific topic you would like me to cover, send in an ask and i'll look into it!

[ummick]

Schumacher's attitude a 'positive surprise', says WEC team-mate Lapierre

Sportscar racing veteran Nicolas Lapierre says he was "positively surprised" by Alpine team-mate Mick Schumachers attitude from the first day the German stepped into a World Endurance Championship hypercar.

Former Haas Formula 1 racer and current Mercedes reserve Schumacher showed a desire to adjust himself to the multi-driver format of sportscar racing instead of going out for individual glory, according to four-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Lapierre. "When Mick came to his first test, it was in Jerez," said Schumacher’s Alpine teammate, Lapierre. "For me, when drivers come in from single-seaters, even more Formula 1, there are two options. Either he wants to be a real sportscar driver, share the car and work with his teammates, or he just wants to shine. I was very positively surprised with Mick since day one. He really wanted to work as a team, and it suits him quite good, as well. And his pace was straight away very fast. This we knew [already]; we had no doubt about this. The only thing now is to have a little bit of traffic management and this kind of stuff, because this is very new [to him]." Schumacher first got a chance to test the Alpine A424 LMDh last October and impressed the French manufacturer enough to earn a seat in its line-up for the 2024 season, joining team stalwarts Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere aboard the #36 car. Prior to his Hypercar move, the German driver spent two seasons competing in F1 with Haas from 2021-22, scoring a best finish of sixth on his second visit to the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix. He remains on Mercedes' books in a reserve role in 2024 and, if required, can be called in by the Brackley-based squad even on WEC race weekends. Lapierre believes Schumacher's experience of working with the title-winning Mercedes F1 squad helps bring a new perspective to the Signatech-run Alpine team. "He is bringing some good stuff from Formula 1 because he is working with one of the best teams on the Formula 1 grid," he said, "so this brings us some fresh ideas, some new feedback, which has also been very helpful in this project." Schumacher spent the 2023 season on the sidelines after being dropped by Haas in 2023 in favour of countryman Nico Hulkenberg, electing not to compete in any other category during his first year out of F1. The German driver reiterated that he is looking for comeback opportunities in grand prix racing, but made it clear his current focus is on his Hypercar programme with Alpine. "I'm here now. What the future holds is quite difficult to predict and foresee," said the 24-year-old. "Obviously my focus for now is WEC, but I would be lying if I would say that I don't have an eye on Formula 1. There are a lot of things happening right now. Who knows what opportunities are presented to myself in a couple of months' time. I will deal with that when it's time." Schumacher, Lapierre and Vaxiviere finished twelfth overall in Saturday's opening round of WEC in Qatar, three laps down on the winning #6 Porsche Penske LMDh of Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre and Andre Lotterer. Alpine stable-mates Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi scored points in eighth place aboard the #5 Alpine A424 to lead a successful return to Hypercar for the French manufacturer. "We had the pace to fight for the points, which was a bit unexpected, so we can be happy about it and proud of ourselves," said Schumacher. "It’s great the sister car managed to score."

[svcredveins]

What are your favorite cardiophile thoughts?

Honestly sports car racing! It’s a major tie to the cardiophile world. You have to monitor your own vitals, well, really the team actually does that for you during your stint because if it’s too high, they tell you to slow your heart rate down (a team member during the real 12 hours of Sebring two years ago said that in the commentary box) and also this year too because it was so hot at COTA that if a driver was feeling unwell, they gotta check their vitals or something…something like that lol. But yeah, it’s all adrenaline based.

You know, closing your eyes, honing in on a deep breath to focus purely on one mission - to win. Then battling out on track with your heart pounding and breathing quickening at every corner you take.

What a thought man. The speed. The exhilaration, what better way to feel that type of buzz when going over 270 kmh in a Porsche 992 GT3 R? Ideally you can go for 285, depending what setup you’ve got on the rear wing or having positive toe (no not human toes, the toe is the angle you put the tires at, inward, or outward). Or even…going over 300kmh in a Porsche 963 LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid)?? But man, I really dream of racing for Porsche as their factory driver. Lemme get in the car! Don’t even get me starting with the Nordschleife!!! 24 hours of Nürburgring in real life on the 25.3 km track? Yes please!

Those are always my cardiophile thoughts, but also another one is just a natural thought again, about the adrenaline of a driver whenever I’m watching IMSA (International Motorsport Association) or the WEC (World Endurance Championship). Like haha, every time, I can’t help but think whenever the onboard camera points towards them it’s: what’s his heart rate up to, what is he thinking currently, how is he feeling; he’s currently breathless after that stint, must’ve been working hard fending off other drivers or attacking one! Not only that though, it’s also just working the car too because it is a workout, a physical and mental one, also it can get pretty hot in there especially if it’s actually really hot outside!

Like it’s just fascinating to me and I just can’t not help but think about that especially watching the onboard POV of my favourite team Porsche Penske Motorsport and have my boy Matt Campbell onboard! It’s truly fascinating to be honest with what the human body goes through, how it reacts to such circumstances before, during, or after a battle with another car on track. It’s actually quite poetic if you ask me. There is beauty in motorsports, from the glorious cars on track and their engines roaring, to the teams working together, driver changes during pit stops, and down to the driver alone in tune with the car. What a symphony, it is an art!

So yeah, those are my cardiophile thoughts haha

[modifiedrides]

Genesis is gearing up to join the ranks of automotive giants like Cadillac, Lamborghini, and Porsche by launching a high-performance racing program centered around a new LMDh car.

[motorsportsminiatures]

[visualvocabulary33]

[racing-is-passion]

No Vettel comeback in Le Mans

The official entry list of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans got published and Sebastian Vettel is not listed as one of the Porsche drivers. The third Porsche will be driven by three Porsche IMSA drivers, Felipe Nasr, Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy.

Thomas Laudenbach, head of Porsche motorsport, says that the main reason was that they searched for experienced drivers to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and because the modern hypercars are much more different compared with an F1 car, than the old LMP1, it would've been to early for Sebastian Vettel.

Source of the photo: https://newsroom.porsche.com/

[motorsportverso]

Lista de campeões categorias GT & Endurance Racing

Fia WEC

Hypercar

Toyota Gazzo Racing-Toyota GR010 Hybrid LMH-Buemi\Hartley\Hirakawa

Hypercar Trophy

Hertez Team Jota-Porsche 963-Costa\Ye\Stevens

LMP2

Team WRT-Andrade\Deletraz\Kubica

LMGTE AM

Corvette Racing- Corvette C8.R-Keating\Varrone\Catsburg

IMSA

GTP

Whelen Engering Racing-Pipo Derani\Alexander Sims-Cadillac V Series R

LMP2

Keating\Chatin-PR1 Mahiassen

LMP3

Gar Robisson-Ligier JS P320-Riley

GTD Pró

Vasser Sullivan-Lexus RCF GT3-Corniat\Jack Hawksworth

GTD

Paul Miller Racing-BMW M4 GT3-Sellers\Snow

Endurance Brasil

P1

BTZ Motorsport-Ligier JS P320-Gaetano Di Mauro

GT3

Stuttgart Motorsport-Porsche 911 GT3 R-Marcelo Visconde\Marcel Muller\Ricardo Mauricio

GT4

Stuttgart Motorsport-Porsche Cayman GT4 CS-Danilo Dirani\Jacques Quartiero

GT2 European Series

Pró-Am

LP Racing-Audi R8 LMS GT2-Henrique Hassid\Antonio Beltoise

AM

Project RTR-KTM X-Bow GT2-Jan Krabec

GT AMERICA SERIES

GT3

Flying Lizard Motorsports-Memo Gidley-Mercedes-AMG GT3

GT2

GMG Racing-CJ Moises-Audi R8 LMS GT2

GT4

Flying Lizard Motorsports-Jason Bell-Astom Martin Vantage AMR GT4

DTM

Thomas Preining-Porsche 992 GT3 R-EMA Manthey

GTWC EUROPE SPRINT CUP

Pró

Matia Drudi\Ricardo Feller-Audi R8 LMS EVO II-Tresor Orange 1

Gold Cup

Niklas Krutten\Callen Williams-BMW M4 GT3-Team WRT

Silver Cup

Jordan Love-Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo-Team HRT

Bronze Cup

Alex Malykhin-Porsche 992 GT3 R-Pure Rxcing

Porsche Cup Brasil-Carrera Cup (992)

Nicolas Costa

Carrera Sport

Lucas Salles

Carrera Rookie

Edu Guedes

Porsche Cup Brasil-Sprint Challenge (991.2)

Antonella Bassani

Sprint Challenge Sport

Antonio Junqueira

Sprint Challenge Rookie

Celio Brasil

Sprint Trophy

Giuliano Bertucelli

GT4 European Series

Gabriel Piano\Michael Schrey-BMW M4 GT4 Evo II-Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport

[automundoarg]

Sebastian Vettel probó con éxito el Porsche 963

El cuatro veces campeón de F.1 se mostró satisfecho con el trabajo realizado sobre el LMDh del Porsche Penske Motorsport.

El alemán Sebastian Vettel, cuatro veces campeón del mundo de Fórmula 1, completó exitosamente las pruebas sobre un Porsche 963 de la categoría LMDh en el circuito español de Aragón. Este hito marca un paso importante en la preparación de Porsche Penske Motorsport para las próximas 24 Horas de Le Mans, programadas para los días 15 y 16 de junio. Vettel no dejó nada al azar en su debut con el…

[umseb]

What speaks for a Le Mans start?

Sebastian Vettel could compete in Le Mans with Porsche as early as 2024. The former Formula 1 world champion impressed in the first test. There are increasing signs of a racing comeback for the German. Porsche has postponed the planned announcement of the driver pairing of the third car for Le Mans.

Sebastian Vettel was abstinent for fifteen months. Apart from a few demonstration laps in a Williams FW14B at Silverstone and a Red Bull RB7 at the Nürburgring, the four-time world champion stayed away from the race track, but the thoroughbred racing driver regularly admitted that he misses racing. That's why his name was mentioned again and again when an attractive door opened-or seemed to open-in Formula 1, just like at Mercedes next year. The transfer of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari frees up a cockpit at Mercedes, and of course Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and Vettel were already in contact. The Heppenheimer also has his eye on the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Porsche. On March 21st, Vettel took part in the roll-out test of the third Le Mans car in Weissach. The 36-year-old shared the cockpit with Porsche works driver Laurens Vanthoor. The Belgian drove two stints of twenty laps each, after which Vettel took over the Porsche hypercar for several runs between ten and fifteen laps.

Vettel fast straight away

According to information from our sister magazine, Motorsport aktuell, Vettel was on the same lap time level as Vanthoor after just fifteen laps. First conclusion: Vettel was immediately competitive at raw speed, and he also impressed with good feedback. The second stage of the test plan was then initiated: Vettel and five other works drivers will take part in a 36-hour test at the Spanish Motorland Aragón racetrack from March 25th to 27th, which was planned as preparation for Le Mans. The test is intended to evaluate how the 53-time GP winner copes with the 700 hp LMDh car in the dark. Vettel wants to use the test to find out whether the LMDh class cars will rekindle the fire in him. With a curb weight of 1,030 kilograms, the hybrid racers are significantly heavier than a Formula 1 car and have less power, but with hybrid technology and biofuel, they fit into the green world view of the man in the cockpit. The first impression behind the wheel of the Porsche 963 already left a clear mark on the thoroughbred racing driver from Heppenheim: "I'm looking forward to testing the Porsche and have already had the opportunity to get to know the car a little in Weissach. I've always had other racing series, and my curiosity for long distances encouraged me to just give it a try. Now I'm excited about the endurance run in Aragón and am looking forward to my time behind the wheel. It will definitely take some adjustment and some getting used to, but the whole team is very open and helps me with that. We'll see what happens next. At the moment there are no further plans for the future."

Porsche postpones driver announcement

After that, at the latest, a decision must be made as to whether Vettel will be included in Porsche's Le Mans squad. The Penske team will compete at Le Mans in 2024 with three cars: the two WEC cars plus an additional 963, which so far only has Mathieu Jaminet named. The original plan was for Jaminet to share the Porsche with Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy. The trio should have been confirmed this week on Thursday, March 28, but that announcement was postponed. This suggests that there is a real chance that Vettel could still jump on the Le Mans bandwagon. The Heppenheimer is still keeping the ball low: "We'll see how things continue. At the moment there are no further plans for the future." Theoretically, it would be possible for Vettel to contest one of the two World Championship races in Imola or Spa, although not with the works cars, but with the two customer teams, Proton Competition or Jota Hertz Racing. Vettel would obviously like to drive a test race because this is the only way to optimally prepare for a race at Le Mans. As expected, there is no doubt about Vettel in terms of driving, but a test race would allow him to get a feel for the demanding traffic situation in endurance racing, where the fast hypercar top cars share the track with the much slower GT3 cars.

Further Porsche tests possible

Because of the great competition in the field, the sports prototypes are now the second most attractive racing series in the world. In Aragon, Vettel also gets to know the competition straight away. It's not just Porsche that is preparing for Le Mans. Alpine with Mick Schumacher has also registered on the Spanish route. If everything goes well, Vettel could complete a third test soon: Porsche will drive in Spa on April 5th and 6th, and there is also the possibility of another 36-hour test on April 10th and 11th at the French track Le Castellet, even if Porsche has not yet officially registered for the test. The decision on a Le Mans start must be made by mid-April at the latest. The Porsche board is said to be enthusiastic about the idea of ​​Vettel driving with Porsche at Le Mans as early as 2024.

Porsche against seven manufacturers

The Stuttgart team won the first race of the season in Qatar with the 963. The WEC is enjoying particular attention this year because eight manufacturers are represented: Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot, BMW, Cadillac, Alpine and Lamborghini. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is even more than usual one of the big motorsport highlights of the year. Another large car company, Aston Martin, is expected to join in 2025. There are persistent rumors about a McLaren entry. For Porsche, Vettel's testing is a prestigious experience. The example of Alonso at Toyota and Hülkenberg at Porsche shows what advertising value the deployment of a Formula 1 driver on foreign terrain can have. Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport, is pleased that the former champion is showing interest in Porsche's long-distance activities: "There was no question for us that we would be happy to support his request for a test opportunity and provide him with extensive preparation and sufficient time. We can certainly learn a lot from his valuable feedback. Our 36-hour endurance run with our factory drivers in Motorland Aragón offers a perfect environment for this."