Porsche and Team Penske pair to race WEC and IMSA
Motorsport collaborators Porsche and Penske are teaming up once again, as the German marque lays its LMDh cards on the table for the 2023 season. Porsche Penske Motorsport as the venture is to be known will be fielding cars both in IMSA and WEC in less than two years.
Yes, that means top-flight Porsche sportscars trading blows at Sebring, Daytona and Le Mans. In addition to the four cars running globally under a ‘factory’ banner, cars will be sold to customers on both sides of the Atlantic pretty well from the off. They will be “given our full support” according to Porsche Board Member for Research and Development, Michael Steiner. The specs are LMDh standard fare, but worth a reminder of: circa-1,000kg, with a 680PS (500kW) hybrid powertrain and the cars will be based on an LMP2 chassis.
It won’t be the first time the two names have teamed up, with the RS Spyder that won LMP2 titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Penske also ran the legendary 917 Can Am cars back in the 1970s. With that kind of back catalogue, the precedent is set for another hit and potentially, Le Mans wins for Porsche numbering into the 20s, to extend its lead over Audi. Of course, Audi will be there doing its very best to catch up, along with Ferrari for the first time (officially) in decades, Peugeot, Toyota and many more.
"Porsche and Penske share a proven track record of success. This partnership had a lasting impact from 2006 to 2008 on what was then the American Le Mans Series," said Fritz Enzinger, Head of Porsche Motorsport.
"Team Penske has made a name for itself with an almost unparalleled success story in motorsport. In the long list of victories to date, however, the name Le Mans has been missing. I hope that we will finally be able to chalk up this success as of 2023 with Porsche Penske Motorsport. This would then mark Porsche's 20th overall victory at the Sarthe – a dream come true."
Penske are of course very much on our minds here at Goodwood this year too, as we are celebrating this “almost unparalleled” team at the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard 8th-11th July. ‘The Captain’ Roger Penske himself will be in attendance, along with a variety of the most successful cars to wear the team’s name.
As for the coming Hypercar era, top-end endurance racing grids are about to swell, as old collaborations are reforged and old rivalries are rekindled. We can’t wait.
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