The new Porsche LMP1 sports prototype, which will compete in the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2014, successfully completed its first rollout today on the Porsche test track in Weissach.
Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard took the new car through its initial function check before the eyes of the entire Board of Porsche AG, as the LMP1 racer 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 Fritz Enzinger, Head of Porsche’s LMP1 program.
Since Porsche decided to return to top motorsport with the LMP1 racer in 2011 as a works effort, the Motorsport Centre at Weissach has grown significantly. A workshop and an administration building were built, accommodating around 200 employees who are responsible for the design, assembly and deployment of the LMP1 car. From the 2014 season, the racer will be fielded by a Weissach-based works squad.
“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 Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard. Bernhard (32) and Dumas (35) are the first two regular drivers in the LMP1 project and will carry out the majority of testing on various international circuits.
Porsche hasn’t yet announced the name of the racecar or its technical details. The only known thing is that it will be powered by a gasoline engine.
By Dan Mihalascu
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