Porsche Penske Motorsport Gears Up for WEC Glory at Le Mans 2024
The Factory Penske Squad’s Pursuit of Endurance Racing Dominance
The factory Penske squad is poised to take on the prestigious Circuit de la Sarthe this week, with their sights set on claiming the top prize in the blue riband round of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Following a remarkable start to the 2024 season, which saw the IMSA SportsCar Championship arm of Porsche Penske Motorsport secure a memorable victory in the Daytona classic and the WEC side lead the championship, the team is determined to expand on their success.
Drivers’ Perspective on Potential Victory
Michael Christensen, who shares the #5 Porsche 963 with Matt Campbell and Frederic Makowiecki, believes that winning the WEC title and the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be a monumental achievement for the Volkswagen Group marque and its partner Penske. “That will be amazing,” the Dane told Motorsport.com. “To be honest, there’s many things that would be super cool to be a part of. I really dream of winning this race for Porsche Penske Motorsport.”
Christensen highlighted the significance of this potential victory, stating, “It would be the 20th win for Porsche overall, it would be the first win for Roger Penske in Le Mans. And you know how successful Roger has been. So it will be a big milestone for Roger and it would be a big milestone for Porsche and it would be a big milestone for us drivers. So it would be a dream for all of us.”
Laurens Vanthoor, driver of the #6 Porsche, echoed Christensen’s sentiments, emphasizing the magnitude of a potential double success in endurance racing. “It will be quite huge if we are able to do that. Also for Penske. So it will be quite an iconic year if we achieve to do that.”
The Significance of Potential Double Victory
The last time a car manufacturer celebrated victories at Daytona and Le Mans in the same year was in 1990, when Jaguar won the two big enduros with its Group C-spec XJR-12. Porsche last enjoyed success in both races in 1987, with Al Holbert and Derek Bell part of the winning line-up in both IMSA and what was then the World SportsCar Championship.
Porsche’s Endurance Racing Expectations
Porsche’s LMDh director Urs Kuratle acknowledged the pressure to perform, given the manufacturer’s rich history in endurance racing. “This is what we are working since a year to win here in Le Mans,” Kuratle told Motorsport.com. “To have won Daytona, to win Le Mans, Monday after the race you will ask me how important is it to win the championship?!”
Kuratle emphasized the importance of delivering a landmark result this weekend, stating, “Obviously with Porsche in endurance racing you want to win, you have to win and you should win every race because that’s very important. So when you win it the first time, you have to have it the second time and then you need to win it the third time to keep the trophy again.”
As the WEC 2024 season reaches its pinnacle, Porsche Penske Motorsport is determined to make history and claim the coveted title. With the FIA WEC calendar 2023 already boasting a thrilling season, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown at Circuit de la Sarthe. Will the team be able to capitalize on their early-season success and secure a monumental victory in the world of endurance racing? Only time will tell.
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