Sebastian Vettel has chosen the Porsche 963 LMDh to compete at Le Mans

Sebastian Vettel, the renowned four-time Formula 1 world champion with 53 wins, 122 podiums and 57 pole positions, is ready for a new adventure in the world of endurance racing. Vettel has everything set to embark on the world of endurance, after piloting the hypercar Porsche 963 during extensive 36-hour tests at Motorland Aragón, Spain.

After a successful career in Formula 1, where he accumulated 53 Grand Prix victories, Vettel now faces a new challenge as he adapts to the demands of endurance racing. However, his enthusiasm is evident in every statement, expressing his eagerness to explore this new terrain: “I am really looking forward to driving the Porsche 963. I have always followed other championships, and my curiosity about endurance racing encourages me to give it a try”.

Preparing for this challenge has not been an easy task. Before facing the Motorland Aragón circuit, Vettel went through an intensive preparation phase in Mannheim and Weissach, where he immersed himself in the inner workings of the Porsche 963, getting to know its complex control systems in depth through several sessions in the Porsche Motorsport simulator. This rigorous process has allowed the driver to lay the foundations for his on-track experience and to face the 36-hour challenge at Motorland Aragón.

The Porsche 963, the star of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championship, boasts impressive technical specifications. Equipped with a 4.6-litre engine derived from the Porsche 918 Spyder, its maximum power output is set at 707 CV (520 kW). In addition, the vehicle’s standardised battery has a capacity of 1.35 kWh and delivers an additional 40 to 68 CV (30 to 50 kW) in short bursts, without affecting the maximum output of the propulsion system.

During the Motorland Aragón tests, Vettel will be joined by a distinguished group of teammates, including factory drivers Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, Frédéric Makowiecki, Kévin Estre, André Lotterer and Laurens Vanthoor. Together, they will tackle the 36-hour endurance challenge, a crucial preparation for events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Porsche Penske Motorsport demonstrates its determination to succeed by presenting a third hybrid prototype built in Weissach and confirming Mathieu Jaminet’s participation in car number 4. In addition, customer teams such as Hertz Team Jota and Proton Competition are entering three more Porsche 963s, while two Porsche 911 GT3 R sponsored by Manthey EMA and Manthey Pure Rxcing will compete in the LMGT3 class.