Porsche Press Release Database

Porsche Press Release Database

Current Press releases

Porsche and long-distance racing – a glimpse into a fascinating worldThe World Sportscar Championship (WSC) and 24 Hours of Le Mans race


A unique and successful history links Porsche to Le Mans, and 2014 will see it make a return to the 24 Hour race with two LMP1 prototypes ‒ 16 years after its overall victory in 1998 with the Porsche GT1. For Porsche, the coming year will mark the start of a long-term commitment to the World Endurance Championship (WEC). On top of the 24h endurance championship, Porsche will also participate in seven six-hour races.

The new set of rules that apply to the WEC for 2014 requires each works team to use the latest in hybrid drive technology. The reason behind this is to significantly reduce fuel consumption among the racing cars taking part. The new Porsche LMP1 therefore needs to boast optimum efficiency while delivering maximum performance.

With this in mind, the race engineers are actually facing the same challenge as their colleagues who work on the development of series production vehicles. Both vehicles are being developed at the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach.

The extensive press kit entitled "Meet the heroes of Le Mans" – available only to accredited media – links Porsche's successful history in the world's most challenging long-distance races with all aspects of the technology transfer, provides all the facts surrounding the Le Mans race track (which has seen over 100 Porsche victories in a variety of racing classes), and describes each of the successful Porsche racing cars that have competed in the Le Mans race. The press kit also tells more about the drivers and engineers involved.
Over 200 historic photos, historic film recordings and the original race posters complete this fascinating and informative package.

The Porsche press database (under the "Meet the heroes of Le Mans" heading), also provides over 90 up-to-date images of the various drivers – from Hans Herrmann (1970 winner at Le Mans ) to the current LMP1 driver, Timo Bernhard – and shots of legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917, the 935 "Moby Dick" or the 936 Spyder. Extensive TV footage on all these topics are also available to download.

To follow the preparations of the LMP1 team ahead of its appearance at the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, visit www.porsche.com/mission2014. A host of exciting images, films, background information and even a multimedia journey through Porsche's Motorsport history awaits you.

28/10/2013