Major players Audi and Toyota will soon have to step up their game in the endurance scene as Porsche is now one step closer in finishing their new LMP1 racer. Soon to compete in the WEC (World Endurance Championship) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, the new sports prototype had successfully completed its first testing on the Porsche test track in Weissach.
Running the car for the first time was Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard, taking the car through its initial function check under the supervision of the entire Porsche AG Board. This is both a special and historic moment as the new LMP1 racer actually debuted on the track several weeks earlier than originally planned.
“We are well on schedule. 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,” said the Head of Porsche’s LMP1 program, Fritz Enzinger.
“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,” said Timo Bernhard, who will be teaming up with Romain Dumas in testing the car on various international circuits.
With Porsche deciding to return to the endurance scene with the LMP1 racer back in 2011, the Weissach Motorsport Centre grew significantly. The centre now has a workshop and an administration building that could accommodate 200 employees involved in the design, assembly and deployment of the LMP1 racer.
