24h Le Mans
After a first season finding its footing, and a relatively disappointing performance at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche is preparing a strong comeback in 2024. The German marque is determined to improve the 963 Hypercar and reach the top step on the podium at the 92nd running of the race.
Porsche made its return to the top endurance class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year with the 963. The Porsche Penske Motorsport team continued to make improvements during what amounted to a shakedown season for the German Hypercar.
Three official cars and one private entered by Hertz Team JOTA took the start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary. The 963's first participation was hindered by reliability problems: the #75 was forced to retire due to a loss in fuel pressure, the #5 suffered cooling troubles and the hybrid battery in the #6 had to be changed out. In the end, the #5 crossed the finish line in 16th place and the #6 in 22nd. The results were far from satisfactory for the winningest marque at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (19 victories).
Thomas Laudenbach, VP Porsche Motorsport:: "Le Mans this year was disappointing. We had hoped for more."
Urs Kuratle, Hypercar Project Director: "Our pace was excellent early on, which makes it all the more painful. Without the damages, we would have been much further ahead."
Frédéric Makowiecki, #5 963 driver: "It’s quite clear where we still need to improve to have a real chance of winning at Le Mans in 2024. We no longer want to be the challenger, but the hunted."
But, all is not bleek. The Porsche 963 won three races across the Atlantic in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and claimed a podium finish twice in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The future actually seems bright after the #6 gave a solid performance at the 6 Hours of Fuji, leading the race for four hours and maintaining a good pace against the 2023 FIA Endurance Hypercar champion Toyota GR010 Hybrid.
Laudenbach (after the 24 Hours Centenary): "We’ll now take a good look at these issues and make further improvements." Kuratle: "Next year we’ll return stronger." Given the manufacturer's track record, it is not unrealistic to think the Porsche 963 will indeed prove to be a major contender in 2024 at Le Mans and the seven other FIA WEC rounds which would benefit customer teams as well.
Porsche will also have a quantitative advantage against the competition as Hertz Team JOTA and Proton Competition will remain customer teams in 2024. More cars fielded means more chances to win Le Mans. Will Porsche clinch its 20th victory at the 24 Hours next year?
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will begin a new chapter in its storied history on 12-16 June 2024.
