A “perfect start to the season on both sides of the Atlantic” for Porsche

Difficult to make a better assessment than Porsche over these first two months of the year 2024. The Stuttgart manufacturer has just achieved two major successes in the two main championships in Endurance. After the victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona in IMSA, last January, the German firm signed a resounding hat-trick in the opening round of the WEC, the 1812km of Qatar. The two official Porsches, the #6 victorious and the #5 third, were joined by the private Porsche 963 of the Hertz Team JOTA team, second on the Losail track.

A race controlled almost from start to finish, like what was demonstrated during the Prologue and Free Practice, with total domination by Porsche over the rest of the competition. Thanks to the work carried out during the winter in the German clan and a more favorable BoP for the LMDh in Qatar, all the elements were there for Porsche to sign its first success in WEC since his return to the discipline last year.

“We worked very hard and we were rewarded in the best way possible. This success is difficult to express, explains Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. Everyone involved did an impeccable job. The team and drivers put in a remarkable performance. Congratulations also to the whole team in Weissach. No one could have expected a triple success for Porsche. But my respect also goes to Peugeot . It's bitter to be upset so close to the finish line. They deserved to be on the podium with us. »

Fears at the end of the race at Porsche

“Our Porsche Penske Motorsport team has had a perfect start to the season on both sides of the Atlantic, adds Jonathan Diuguid, general manager of Porsche Penske Motorsport. After our victory at Daytona, we were extremely fast with both our cars in Qatar today and we were rewarded with a victory and a podium place. This success is the result of hard work. We gave everything we had over the entire distance. It was difficult until the last lap. Now we are all looking forward to the rest of the season. »

There were also big smiles from the drivers of the No. 6 Porsche, victorious in Qatar after a masterfully conducted race. Despite a few scares at the end of the race – including a late pit stop to stick a sticker with the obligatory number on the side of the 963 – the trio savored a victory full of promise for the rest of the season.

“I am incredibly proud that we managed this race together, rejoices Kévin Estre, winner for the first time in the WEC in the premier category. Our car performed extremely well today and the team worked perfectly. However, it was not as easy as one might have thought from the outside – certainly not! We encountered many tricky situations and we also had contact with other cars. Two hours before arrival, a collision caused significant damage. But even with a less than ideal car, we managed. Thanks to the whole team and my teammates. »

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