Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Special feature
WEC

Gallery: The fairytale story of Porsche's return to WEC and Le Mans

From zero to world champion in four years: Motorsport.com shows the success story of Porsche in the World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2011!

Stefan Ehlen
Stefan Ehlen
Edited:
Porsche 919 Hybrid
2013: The 919 Hybrid gets first run
In March 2013, Porsche protege Timo Bernhard took the 919 Hybrid for its first run at the circuit in Weissach.
2013: Preparation continues
Porsche continued testing on various race tracks in different countries as drivers Neel Jani, Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Marc Lieb were announced for 2014.
2014: February presentation
The Porsche 919 Hybrid was presented alongside the 911 RSR at the International Auto Salon in Geneva, with Bernhard/Hartley/Webber and Dumas/Jani/Lieb officially confirmed as the crews for the two cars.
2014: Maiden podium for Porsche at Silverstone
The German giant notched up the 919 Hybrid's first podium finish with the #20 car of Bernhard/Hartley/Webber in the 6 hours of Silverstone.
2014: First 919 Hybrid pole at Spa
After Silverstone, the team quickly reached another milestone with their first pole at Spa - this time with the #14 of Jani/Lieb/Dumas.
2014: A tough time in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The #14 of Jani/Lieb/Dumas finished 11th overall and fifth in the LMP1 category after suffering gearbox issues. However, the real heartbreak had to do with #20 of Bernhard/Hartley/Webber, which had to retire from second place due to engine failure with less than two hours to go.
2014: First fastest lap of return campaign comes at Fuji
Mark Webber, driver of the #20, produced the 919 Hybrid's first fastest lap of the race at Fuji.
2014: Double podium in Bahrain
The German squad was edging closer and closer to a first win. In Bahrain, Porsche locked out all the steps on the podium but the top one.
2014: Last chance yields first win
The WEC season finale - the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo - was Porsche's final chance to claim a win in its return year - and it was a chance taken by the #14 of Jani/Lieb/Dumas.
2014: Webber's monster shunt
For the other side of the garage, however, the campaign ended on a sour note with a massive crash for Mark Webber - who, thankfully, escaped unijured.
2015: Formula 1 ace Nico Hulkenberg signs up for Le Mans
Entering a third car part-time, Porsche secured the signature of the highly-rated Nico Hulkenberg - a decision that, in hindsight, paid massive dividend to both sides.
2015: The three cars take to the track together
The three Porsche 919 Hybrids were out on track against each other for the first time in the 6 Hours of Spa. They finished 1-2-3 in qualifying and were second, third and sixth in the race.
2015: Le Mans pole record is broken
In preparation for the season's biggest race, Neel Jani, driver of the #18 car, clocked a time of 3m16.887s, smashing the seven-year-old Le Mans pole record.
2015: Historic win at Le Mans
The #19 car, piloted by the Le Mans LMP1 debutant trio of Bamber/Hulkenberg/Tandy, delivered a shock to the system by taking a popular win in the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2015: The #17 trio goes to the top
A strategic swap towards the end of the 6 hours of Fuji saw the #17 of Bernhard/Hartley/Webber win the race ahead of #18 Jani/Lieb/Dumas - with the #17 trio taking a lead of one point in the drivers' championship.
2015: Manufacturers' crown
Less than two years after making its competitive debut, the 919 Hybrid wrapped up Porsche's first WEC crown as the marque recorded its third 1-2 of the season at Shanghai.
2015: Drivers' title?
Hartley/Webber/Bernhard are now one race away from completing Porsche's dream year, 12 points up on Audi trio Lotterer/Fassler/Treluyer with 26 left up for grabs.
17

Share Or Save This Story

Previous article Third Toyota entry a "realistic option" for 2017
Next article Analysis: Porsche LMP1 achievement among greatest ever

Top Comments
More from
Stefan Ehlen

The unique F1 record that Kimi Antonelli broke with his Miami GP win

Formula 1
Formula 1
Miami GP
The unique F1 record that Kimi Antonelli broke with his Miami GP win

Did George Russell jump start in F1's Australian GP? Here’s what the FIA rules say

Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Did George Russell jump start in F1's Australian GP? Here’s what the FIA rules say

Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris’ critics

Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris’ critics

Latest news

Can George Russell take inspiration from Lando Norris in quest for F1 title?

Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Canadian GP
Can George Russell take inspiration from Lando Norris in quest for F1 title?

Can Pedro Acosta convert pole position into maiden MotoGP win in Barcelona?

MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Catalan GP
Can Pedro Acosta convert pole position into maiden MotoGP win in Barcelona?

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Max Verstappen on course to win in Mercedes 1-2

Endurance
Endu Endurance
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Max Verstappen on course to win in Mercedes 1-2

Rajah Caruth owes Jesse Love another apology; says he's 'racing for his life'

NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Dover
Rajah Caruth owes Jesse Love another apology; says he's 'racing for his life'

Feature

Discover prime content

Why WEC is in a great place heading into the Le Mans 24 Hours

WEC
Spa
By Gary Watkins
Why WEC is in a great place heading into the Le Mans 24 Hours

The strategic gamble that ended BMW's WEC winless streak

WEC
Spa
By Gary Watkins
The strategic gamble that ended BMW's WEC winless streak

Why the WEC's BoP blackout is a bad call for all parties

WEC
Imola
By Gary Watkins
Why the WEC's BoP blackout is a bad call for all parties

How Genesis is building up to a long-term future in the WEC

WEC
Imola
By Gary Watkins
How Genesis is building up to a long-term future in the WEC
View more