Ford and Ferrari are both fielding new cars in the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) this year (presuming they receive invitations!) and competition in the GT class looks set to be stronger than ever all season, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche’s response is an updated 911 RSR with tweaks to its aerodynamics and safety features to comply with the new regulations. The 2016 version of the hugely successful 911 RSR will make its competition debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first round of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The Porsche that we will see at the legendary Florida racetrack has had its rear wing moved further to the back, while the rear diffuser has been made wider and the exhaust modified. At the front, there is a 100-mm splitter while under the bonnet, the ultra-modern flat-six 4-litre direct injection engine delivers an impressive 500 hp, which should help power the car to the front.

From a safety viewpoint, Porsche has given the 2016-spec 911 RSR a new safety net and roof hatch to facilitate extraction if something happens out on the track.

Nine Porsche works drivers will line up at the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Patrick Pilet, Nick Tandy and Kévin Estre will be in the 911 RSR #911, while Earl Bamber, Frédéric Makowiecki and Michael Christensen will take turns in the cockpit of the #912 car.

In GTD, Wolf Henzler will be driving for privateer outfit Seattle/Alex Job Racing, Patrick Long with Black Swan Racing and Jörg Bergmeister for Park Place Motorsports. Porsche-Junior Sven Müller will take to the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R entered by Frikadelli Racing.

Geoffroy Barre | Translated from French by Clair Pickworth

Photo: Porsche will kick off its season at the Rolex 24 at Daytona with an new, improved version of its 911 RSR.