Porsche Motorsport Adjustments and Upcoming Racing Challenges
Porsche Motorsport has expressed understanding regarding the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s decision to cancel Test Day. As the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been rescheduled to September, the team remains cautious about committing to racing in the new LMDh class for the 2021-22 season. These insights were shared by Porsche Motorsport chief Pascal Zurlinden during a press conference held on March 30, aimed at addressing the implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the automotive sector.
Impact on the Racing Season
When questioned on the potential reduction of the 2020 FIA World Endurance Championship season, Zurlinden responded, “It depends on where we will be able to get back to racing or when.” This statement underscores the uncertainty that currently engulfs the motorsport world.
The Shift to E-Sports
In the interim, Porsche Motorsport’s focus has turned to e-sports where their racing drivers are engaging in virtual competitions. This activity has gained traction as mainstream sports networks have begun broadcasting these virtual races, such as the recent Le Mans e-sport Series race at Sebring. Notably, drivers from Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar have also participated in these virtual events, attempting to maintain fan engagement while real-life racing has been on hiatus.
Rescheduled 24 Hours of Le Mans
The highly anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans, typically held in mid-June, is now delayed to September 19-20, with practice and qualifying set to commence on September 16. As competitors prepare for this challenge, they must adapt to variable weather and track temperature conditions that differ significantly from June to September. Zurlinden is optimistic about this challenge, stating, “But we are looking forward to this challenge.”
New LMDh Class Considerations
The proposed LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) class is set to compete alongside the Le Mans Hypercar class for overall victory in the WEC series. Last year, Porsche evaluated the new Hypercar class but deemed it too costly. Consequently, the LMDh class represents a more viable option, integrating the ACO’s approach with the IMSA’s Daytona Prototype international (DPi) category, which is currently fielded by three brands: Cadillac, Acura, and Mazda.
Dependencies on the Formula 1 Schedule
Regarding the Porsche Supercup support series, Zurlinden conveyed that plans are entirely contingent on the Formula 1 schedule. The first race is the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled for June 12-14, followed by the French Grand Prix from June 26-28. However, numerous Grand Prix events across F1 have been postponed or canceled, including those in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, The Netherlands, and Spain.
