New Porsche LMP1 sports prototype rolls out

The new Porsche LMP1 prototype finally had its first track run on the company’s Weissach test track. This is in anticipation of the upcoming World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. The track run happened several weeks ahead of its original schedule with Porsche works driver Timo Bernhard behind the wheel.

“Our newly formed team has worked with utmost concentration on getting this highly complex vehicle on the track as soon as possible. This allows us a few additional weeks for more testing and further development. From 2014, the regulations are primarily based on efficiency. This makes the competition amongst engineers more interesting and presents us with completely new challenges,” said LMP1 Head Fritz Enzinger.

The decision to revive the LMP1 racer in mid 2011 has allowed the Weissach Motorsport Center to grow significantly. New facilities such as a workshop and administration building will accommodate around 200 employees responsible for the design, assembly and deployment of the LMP1 car.

“During the development of our new LMP1 vehicle, we faced the same challenge as in the series production development of our road legal cars,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG. “Our aim was to achieve the best possible efficiency without compromising performance.”

F1 driver Mark Webber will also be part of the 2014 Porsche WEC and Le Mans campaign.