24h Le Mans
Porsche Motorsport and Team Penske have signed a multi-year deal to collaborate on the German manufacturer’s LMDh entry that is due to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA WEC and IMSA from 2023.
Successful American endurance outfit Team Penske will work with the Weissach-based engineers on the Porsche Motorsport factory entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC).
Several LMDh prototypes running under the Porsche Penske Motorsport banner will be in the hunt for overall victory in the Hypercar class. Cars will also be entered by customer teams in both championships from 2023. In keeping with the rulebook, the cars will be based on an LMP2-class chassis, weigh around 1000 kg, and be driven by a 500-kW (680-PS) hybrid powertrain.
“We are delighted that we were able to get Team Penske to form this partnership,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “For the first time in the history of Porsche Motorsport, our company will have a global team competing in the world's two largest endurance series. To this end, we will be setting up team bases on both sides of the Atlantic. This will enable us to create the optimal structures we will need to take overall victories at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring, for example.”
Four cars
“As of 2023, Porsche will compete in the major endurance racing series. Our intention is to support and shape the new era with our LMDh prototypes,” pointed out Dr Michael Steiner, Board Member for Research & Development. “Not only will we be keeping our fingers crossed for the four factory cars we have in total, but also for our customer teams. The new LMDh vehicle will also be entered as a customer car in both series as early as the 2023 season. These partner teams will be given our full support. Whatever insights we gain from our factory effort will also be shared with them.”
“This is a proud day for our entire Penske organisation,” commented Roger Penske. “We have represented Porsche on the track or in our businesses for more than six decades. The heritage and success we have enjoyed together are unparalleled throughout our history. I can’t wait to get started as we build a global racing program with Porsche that will compete for wins and championships well into the future.”
Porsche Motorsport will base its US team at Team Penske headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina.
In 2023, the top class of the FIA WEC and IWSC should see Porsche take on the likes of Toyota, Peugeot, Audi, Ferrari, Glickenhaus, ByKolles Racing Team and Acura.
