Porsche reveals dual fix for hybrid issues at Daytona 24 Hours

Porsche has revealed that it resolved the hybrid points that blighted the 963 LMDh forward of its victory in final weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours with a twin repair.

Porsche Penske Motorsport defined {that a} combination of adjustments to procedures and the fitment of previous elements from final season allowed its pair of GTP entries to run by way of the IMSA SportsCar Championship season-opener to first and third positions with out points.

The 2 PPM 963s have been amongst a number of vehicles throughout the 12-car IMSA GTP area stricken by way of the pre-event Roar take a look at after which observe and qualifying by what was described as a high-voltage downside.

PPM managing director Jonathan Diuguid disclosed that the crew had been pressured to vary “elements and items” related to the power storage system (ESS) six occasions throughout its two 963s.

“We discovered a smoking gun that we have been capable of deal with earlier than the race,” he mentioned.

“It was extra of an operational factor, even particular to PPM to be sincere.”

PPM and, it’s understood different producers, returned to elements within the HV system that had been run prior to now moderately than a brand new batch of elements that might have performed a component within the pre-race points.

“We picked some elements that was once on the automobile and have been nonetheless okay on mileage,” defined Urs Kuratle, challenge chief on the LMDh programme at Porsche Motorsport.

“These have been elements across the ESS: we had some spare elements, and Fortescue Zero [the battery supplier formerly WAE Technologies] have been on-site and Bosch Motorsport [which makes the motor generator unit [MGU} had some spare parts.”

Diuguid revealed that the fix had resulted from meetings between the manufacturers and the suppliers of components that make up the one-make hybrid system used on all LMDh prototypes.

“It was everyone getting in a room and throwing ideas on the table,” he said.

Diuguid and Kuratle stressed that the HV issue has yet to be fully understood.

Diuguid said that PPM could not be sure if its trouble-free run to a second consecutive Daytona victory was the result of the changes it made or “just luck”.

Kuratle stated that there is still the need to “analyse what happened at the Roar and in the practice sessions”.