Stoppage for Porsche, with a bittersweet podium at Sebring

They were eagerly awaited, after the victory during the 24 Hours of Daytona last January, and to another extent the victory during the 1812km of Qatar in WEC. However, both Porsche official ones did not have the same success at Sebring. The two 963s entered on the atypical Florida track experienced numerous difficulties, depriving them of the final battle for victory, won by the No. 40 Acura after a bitter duel against the No. 01 Cadillac.

If the No. 7 of the Cameron – Nasr – Campbell trio managed to get a podium – after leading the race for some time and despite an additional pit stop due to a defective seat – the chances of the No. 6 have were annihilated less than three hours from the finish: while trying to overtake a slower car, Frédéric Makowiecki hit a GT and suffered a puncture. A mishap which cost him two laps, a gap too large that the crew was unable to close before crossing the finish line in 9th position. Porsche suffered especially after dark at Sebring, with the drop in temperatures.

“We are on the podium again with our car, which the whole team can be proud of, However, put into perspective Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport. Our cars just weren't fast enough today compared to our rivals. We will have to look again at the reasons for this lack of speed. It's a shame that the #6 lost two laps due to a puncture. Unfortunately, this kind of thing sometimes happens in motorsport through no fault of ours. »

Porsche awaits its revenge in Long Beach

“The race was difficult for us. At the beginning we were hampered by small difficulties, but we systematically fought to come back, adds Urs Kuratle, LMDh project director at Porsche. The #7 at least finished on the podium, which is a good thing. Others, however, have done better. Our customer teams (Proton Competition 8th, and retirement for JDC-Miller MotorSports) performed well, but were unfortunately not rewarded accordingly. »

Despite defeat at Sebring, Porsche still leads the championship IMSA, tied with Cadillac and Acura among Manufacturers (and in the lead among Drivers with the No. 7). After an ideal start to the season, Porsche sees this little break as a return to reality: the Stuttgart machines will be expected around the corner, once again, for the first “Sprint” round of the year in IMSA, in Long Beach, California. An event that she won in 2023.

ALSO READ > At the foot of the podium at Sebring, BMW was “a little unlucky” with the Full Course Yellow