It was the first time the Porsche Team had shared a test with the whole WEC field and was able to get a first impression about the differences in speed between the various classes. On the 5.791 kilometre long track the difference between the overall fastest lap of the LMP1 car and the slowest GT car was around 20 seconds. The team had another first a few days earlier on the same track when it took part in a private test with two cars.
In total both driver line-ups – Romain Dumas/Neel Jani/Marc Lieb (car no. 14) and Timo Bernhard/Brendon Hartley/Mark Webber (car no. 20) - completed 614 laps (3,556 kilometres) on Friday and Saturday. They practiced countless driver changes and worked together with the Porsche Team’s engineers to further improve the car’s set-up.
The Prologue was an excellently run test by the WEC organisation
Off the track another important point has been clarified. The Porsche 919 Hybrid has finally been homologated for the six megajoule class. This classification defines the amount of recuperated electrical power which can be boosted per lap. At the same time, the megajoule class defines the amount of fuel which can be used per lap.
Team principal Andreas Seidl: “The Prologue was an excellently run test by the WEC organisation and we were able to complete our programme. After concentrating on long distance racing during our private test, when we covered two six hour race distances, we have now also tested our qualifying performance. We made good progress in all areas – be it team-work, performance or reliability. But we know very well that we cannot catch up overnight with the advantage our competition has in terms of experience, and we have quite a lot of homework to do before the season’s opening race on 20th April in Silverstone.“
The 911 RSR scored a double GT victory at last year’s Le Mans 24 hour race
The Porsche Team Manthey is well prepared for the season-opener, too. At the prologue #92 Porsche 911 RSR posted the fastest time in the GTE-Pro class at every test session in which it took part.
Porsche works drivers Marco Holzer, Frédéric Makowiecki and Richard Lietz shared the cockpit of the 470 hp GT racer from Weissach, which is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car. This trio will also contest the season-opening race in Silverstone. Manning the second 911 RSR with the starting number 91 for the race on the storied British race track are their factory pilot colleagues Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy. The 911 RSR, which scored a double GT victory at last year’s Le Mans 24 hour race, received many improvements for the 2014 season and continued its winning streak at the endurance classics of Daytona and Sebring.
