Porsche triumph in the LMGT3 category
Porsche leaves Le Mans with mixed feelings: victory in the LMGT3 class, but missed the Hypercar podium.
In the Hypercar class, the big success was missing for Porschebut in the new LMGT3 class, a sports car from Zuffenhausen won: Richard Lietz, Morris Schuring and Yasser Shahin prevailed in the new LMGT3 category in a 911 GT3 R from the Manthey team and secured the 111th class victory for Porsche with a one-lap lead.
Despite some dramatic weather conditions, the team remained error-free and skilfully navigated through the numerous safety car phases that were necessary due to the heavy rain. “The victory with our GT3 racing car in Le Mans is a historic achievement,” rejoiced Porsche project manager Sebastian Golz. “The interaction in the Manthey EMA team worked perfectly and we were able to score important points for the world championship.”
Hypercar class: Just missed the podium
In the Hypercar category, Porsche Penske Motorsport narrowly missed the podium. The team around Kévin Estre, André Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor in the Porsche 963 was only 1.167 seconds behind the third-placed Ferrari.
Porsche leaves Le Mans with mixed feelings.
Image: Porsche
“The podium was within reach, but in the end we lacked the necessary pace to stay at the front,” summed up Kévin Estre. “We have to keep learning and come back stronger.”
Porsche: Setbacks and hope
While the number 6 was close to the podium, the other Porsche teams had to contend with different challenges. The Porsche 963 with starting number 5, driven by Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen and Frédéric Makowiecki, finished in sixth place after difficulties during the night. An accident involving Felipe Nasr with the number 4 963 prematurely ended the hopes of the third Porsche-Penske crew.
Porsche project manager: “Not entirely error-free”
“We have to admit that we weren’t completely error-free today,” admits project manager Urs Kuratle. “We missed the podium by just a few meters. Our Porsche 963 had the potential and our drivers, as well as the whole team, performed at an exceptionally high level. We’ll be back next year.”
And perhaps even a big success this season. Despite the setbacks in Le Mans, Porsche is still leading the WEC manufacturers’ championship. In the drivers’ championship, the car with the #6 and Lotterer, Estre and Vanthoor at the wheel is in the lead.
