WEC – Porsche relies on its new package at the Nürburgring

After celebrating his 17th victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche prepares to resume its title race in WEC by competing in the 6 Hours of the Nürburgring on August 30. If the 919 Hybrids were the most efficient in Sarthe, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro were the most competitive at the start of the season by winning at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.

The Stuttgart brand has therefore developed a new aero package tested from August 18 to 20 on the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona in order to gain support. “Preparing the 919 Hybrid for Le Mans was the first priority », recalled Alexander Hitzinger, technical director of the LMP1 department. “The aero package with which we started the season at Silverstone was a compromise with the aim of preparing us for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We only later developed this aero package offering greater downforce. »

Porsche relies on the experience of its crews, particularly with the No. 17 in which Timo Bernhard, who won five editions of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring (contested on the Nordschleife), and Mark Webber who won his first Grand Prix in 2009, competes.

According to Porsche calculations, the two 919 Hybrids entered for the season will be able to reach 285km/h top speed even if the circuit F1 does not have large straight lines. But Romain Dumas, driver of the No. 18, remains wary. “This track will not be easy for us with its many turns and short straights”, warned the Alésien who took 26th place last weekend at the Rally from Germany on a 911 GT3 RS.