Four-time F1 world champion Vettel to test Porsche’s Le Mans hypercar


Vettel will take the wheel of the 963, which Porsche runs in collaboration with American powerhouse Penske, at a 36-hour take a look at at MotorLand Aragon in Spain.

The 36-year-old German has already turned his first laps of the prototype at Porsche’s Weissach base following intensive simulator working.

“I’m wanting ahead to testing the Porsche 963. I already bought the prospect to get a really feel for the automotive throughout a rollout in Weissach,” stated Vettel.

“I’ve at all times adopted different racing sequence and my curiosity for endurance occasions inspired me to simply give it a shot. Now I’m enthusiastic about the long term in Aragon and I’m wanting ahead to my time behind the wheel.

“It’ll undoubtedly take an adjustment and a few getting used to however everybody within the group may be very open and helps me. This shall be a brand new expertise for me.”

Porsche Motorsport vp Thomas Laudenbach revealed Vettel had requested him if there was a possibility to affix a take a look at, with Porsche very happy to accommodate him.

“We’re delighted that Sebastian Vettel is eager about our Porsche 963,” defined Laudenbach.

“There was no query for us that we’d be thrilled to assist his request for a possibility to check and supply him with intensive preparation and loads of time to drive our hybrid prototype.”

Sebastian Vettel exams the Porsche 963

Photograph by: Porsche Motorsport

Vettel, who known as time on his F1 profession on the finish of 2022, is thought to have been in preliminary talks with Porsche buyer group Jota final yr over driving one in every of its 963 prototypes within the World Endurance Championship.

However whereas endurance racing seems to be an possibility that piques Vettel’s curiosity, the German pressured he has “no additional plans” as issues stand.

“We’ll see what occurs subsequent on this respect – for the time being there aren’t any additional plans for the longer term,” he stated.

Vettel will be a part of the deliberate 36-hour endurance take a look at at Aragon’s well-liked testing venue with six of Porsche Penske’s works drivers because it gears up for June’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Learn Additionally:

The group lately took its first victory in WEC’s hypercar period on the opening spherical in Qatar with Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor and Kevin Estre.

It can add a 3rd automotive to the works line-up for Le Mans to spice up its possibilities of a primary total win within the French endurance traditional since 2017.

Since its introduction final yr, the Porsche 963 has additionally discovered success in America’s IMSA Sportscar Championship, taking three wins in 2023 in addition to a victory on the Daytona 24 Hours early this yr.

Watch: BrrrakeF1 – Underneath the Pores and skin of Endurance Racing’s Superior Tech

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