The Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team will field three Porsche 963 hybrid prototypes at Le Mans this coming weekend (June 14–15). Alongside the regular drivers from the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Porsche works driver and reigning Formula E World Champion Pascal Wehrlein will also contest the iconic race. Customer squad Proton Competition adds a fourth Porsche 963 to the Hypercar grid, while defending class champions Manthey enters three 911 GT3 R cars in the LMGT3 category.
The preview
With 19 overall and 111 class victories, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in Le Mans history. The 24-hour race is one of the biggest sporting events globally, attracting over 325,000 fans annually. For the 93rd edition of the endurance classic, Porsche has set ambitious goals. The Porsche 963 aims to build on the legacy of legendary machines such as the 917, 936, 956, 962, 911 GT1, and 919 Hybrid. Last season, Porsche clinched the drivers’ world championship in the WEC and secured six titles in the North American IMSA series. As in the past two years, the factory team enters three hybrid prototypes to compete for top honors.
“Since the regulations were introduced, the Porsche 963 has proven to be the most successful LMDh race car in both the FIA WEC and the IMSA series – a position we now intend to affirm at Le Mans in fierce competition against prototypes from seven other manufacturers,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “Last year we secured pole position but couldn’t convert it into the result we hoped for despite a strong performance by the team and drivers. We’re hopeful that the conditions are right this year. We’ll give it everything to secure the 20th overall win for Porsche. Our cars are perfectly prepped, the team is in peak form, and the drivers highly motivated.”
“I expect a tightly contested battle, as nearly all 21 Hypercar entries are capable of winning,” says Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “Most of the cars are now in their third season and are therefore highly reliable. The teams are experienced and well-coordinated. In these conditions, the fight for overall victory will be decided by the finest of margins – strategy and flawless pit work will be key. In those aspects, I believe we’re very well positioned. Still, making precise predictions is difficult – the true performance balance will only reveal itself after the first four or five hours of the race.”
“For the first time, we’ve prepped all three Porsche 963 at our facility in Mannheim – a big milestone. We’ve also added personnel to support us during the Le Mans effort,” explains Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “We’re better prepared than ever before. The Porsche 963 is extremely reliable, the team is in perfect sync, and our driver line-up is world-class. Let’s go racing!”
The race
As round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate highlight of the season. Due to the extended race distance, double championship points are awarded. The iconic event, first held in 1923, features additional elements like Slow Zones – temporary speed-limited sections for local hazards – owing to the 13.626-kilometer lap length at the Circuit des 24 Heures. The race starts on Saturday (June 14) at 4:00 PM (CEST).
The historic circuit, located in the south of Le Mans, consists of two-thirds public roads. On normal days, the famous Mulsanne Straight (Hunaudières) is used by hundreds of trucks and cars traveling between Le Mans and Tours. Notable sections include the fast and technical Porsche Curves, known for high speeds and minimal runoff – demanding precision and bravery from every driver. The circuit is available for testing only once per season, which took place the previous Sunday.
Porsche Penske Motorsport with ten factory drivers at Le Mans
Car #5 will be driven by Michael Christensen from Denmark and the two Frenchmen Julien Andlauer and Mathieu Jaminet. The #6 sister car features reigning WEC champions Kévin Estre from France, Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium and Matt Campbell (Australia). The additional #4 Porsche 963 will be piloted by IMSA points leaders Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, alongside Formula E champion Pascal Wehrlein. Swiss factory driver Nico Müller, currently racing for Andretti in Formula E, serves as reserve at Le Mans.
Customer team Proton Competition fields a fourth Porsche 963 in the Hypercar class. Their #99 entry will be driven by Neel Jani from Switzerland, Nico Pino (Chile), and Nico Varrone (Argentinia). A total of 21 Hypercars from eight manufacturers will contest the top class. On June 14, 62 entries across three classes will take the start.
LMGT3 Class: reigning champions Manthey field three Porsche 911 GT3 R
Defending class winners Manthey have bolstered their lineup for the season’s main event, entering three Porsche 911 GT3 R race cars. The Manthey 1st Phorm #92 will be driven by Ryan Hardwick (USA), Riccardo Pera (Italy), and Porsche factory ace Richard Lietz from Austria. The Iron Dames #85 is shared by Rahel Frey, Célia Martin, and Sarah Bovy, who replaces the injured Michelle Gatting. This car will race in a special livery titled “Powering your Dreams.”
A standout is the Manthey #90, entered under the fictional “Chip Hart Racing” banner, driven by Antares Au, Loek Hartog, and Klaus Bachler. A similar car featured in the filming of the movie “F1” with Brad Pitt during the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona. The Hollywood blockbuster will premiere globally on June 25.
“Racing for Charity”: Porsche donates for critically ill children
Porsche will donate €500 for every lap completed by its three factory-entered 963 during the 24-hour race. The total sum will benefit the charities Kinderherzen retten e.V. and Interplast Germany e.V., both supporting critically ill children worldwide. The initiative has raised €1,811,000 over the past two years.
Broadcast information
In Germany, Nitro (RTL Group) and Eurosport will air live coverage of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The official FIA WEC and ACO Le Mans apps also offer paid livestreaming and live timing.
Driver quotes ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche 963 #4): “It’s incredible to finally be here at Le Mans. I have to learn a lot during practice, especially about unique procedures like Slow Zones. I’m still figuring out how to pass traffic efficiently without losing time or taking risks. I want to improve every lap. My co-drivers Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy are extremely quick and experienced – I’ll learn a lot from them. We’re a great team.”
Michael Christensen (Porsche 963 #5): “Le Mans is the biggest race of the year – the most important for teams, drivers, and manufacturers. Our WEC season didn’t start great, but we’ve learned a lot that will help us at Le Mans. In practice, everything has to come together to set up our Porsche perfectly. I expect a very tight battle and hope we come out on top in the end.”
Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 #6): “I’ve been preparing physically and mentally for weeks – I feel fitter and more ready than ever. We want to finally win Le Mans together. It’s the one major victory missing from Roger Penske’s résumé – and mine. It would mean so much to so many people. But success at the world’s toughest endurance race depends on many factors. We’ll see what Le Mans brings.”
Nico Pino (Porsche 963 #99): “Our WEC season hasn’t gone as planned, but Le Mans is always a different story. There’s very little test time going into race week – we’re used to that and will maximize every lap in practice. Even qualifying will be a learning opportunity. Starting position isn’t as crucial in a 24-hour race. With a clean build-up, I believe we’ll put in a strong performance.”
Célia Martin (Porsche 911 GT3 R #85): “Starting my first 24 Hours of Le Mans is a dream come true – even more so with our special car design. I’m thrilled to be part of this great adventure with such experienced teammates.”
Klaus Bachler (Porsche 911 GT3 R #90): “I’m super excited – we secured our spot through the Asian Le Mans Series. We have a strong trio, and with Manthey and the Porsche 911 GT3 R, we’re definitely competitive. I hope we can fight for a class win.”
Richard Lietz (Porsche 911 GT3 R #92): “Our class features 24 GT3 entries from top teams. It’ll be a fierce fight, with fine details deciding victory or defeat. We’re very well prepared – the car is great, the team is excellent, and we’re fast. We won at Imola in WEC. Now we aim to lead at Le Mans. Ideally, we’ll have an uneventful race – if so, a top-10 result is within reach, maybe even more.”
The Porsche race cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Hypercar class (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #4: Felipe Nasr (BRA), Nick Tandy (GBR), Pascal Wehrlein (DEU)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #5: Julien Andlauer (FRA), Michael Christensen (DNK), Mathieu Jaminet (FRA)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Kévin Estre (FRA), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL), Matt Campbell (AUS)
Proton Competition #99: Neel Jani (SUI), Nico Pino (CHL), Nico Varrone (ARG)Proton Competition #99: Neel Jani (SUI), Nico Pino (CHL), Nico Varrone (ARG)
LMGT3 class (Porsche 911 GT3 R):
Iron Dames #85: Sarah Bovy (BEL), Rahel Frey (SUI), Célia Martin (FRA)
Manthey #90: Antares Au (HKG), Klaus Bachler (AUT), Loek Hartog (NLD)
Manthey 1st Phorm #92: Ryan Hardwick (USA), Richard Lietz (AUT), Riccardo Pera (ITA)
24 Hours of Le Mans: Porsche overall victories
1970 – Herrmann (DEU) / Attwood (GBR), Porsche 917 KH
1971 – Marko (AUT) / Van Lennep (NLD), Porsche 917 KH
1976 – Ickx (BEL) / Van Lennep (NLD), Porsche 936
1977 – Ickx (BEL) / Haywood (USA) / Barth (DEU), Porsche 936/77
1979 – Ludwig (DEU) / D. Whittington (USA) / B. Whittington (USA), Porsche 935 K3
1981 – Ickx (BEL) / Bell (GBR), Porsche 936
1982 – Ickx (BEL) / Bell (GBR), Porsche 956
1983 – Schuppan (AUS) / Haywood (USA) / Holbert (USA), Porsche 956
1984 – Pescarolo (FRA) / Ludwig (DEU), Porsche 956
1985 – Barilla (ITA) / Ludwig (DEU) / Krages (DEU), Porsche 956
1986 – Bell (GBR) / Stuck (DEU) / Holbert (USA), Porsche 962C
1987 – Bell (GBR) / Stuck (DEU) / Holbert (USA), Porsche 962C
1994 – Dalmas (FRA) / Haywood (USA) / Baldi (ITA), Dauer Porsche 962 LM
1996 – Wurz (AUT) / Reuter (DEU) / Jones (USA), TWR Porsche WSC-95
1997 – Kristensen (DNK) / Alboreto (ITA) / Johansson (SWE), TWR Porsche WSC-95
1998 – Aiello (FRA) / McNish (GBR) / Ortelli (FRA), Porsche 911 GT1
2015 – Bamber (NZL) / Tandy (GBR) / Hülkenberg (DEU), Porsche 919 Hybrid
2016 – Jani (SUI) / Lieb (DEU) / Dumas (FRA), Porsche 919 Hybrid
2017 – Bernhard (DEU) / Hartley (NZL) / Bamber (NZL), Porsche 919 Hybrid
