Porsche LMP1 return for 2014 confirmed!

[Porsche917K]

I specifically remember Roger Penske saying he has no interest in Le Mans unless an overall win was possible, and now it will be in 2014. I think his team is a real possibility in the future especially considering the success of the RS Spyder in ALMS. This however like most things here is speculation.

[Articus]

What we need is rule stability. That will do Privateer wallets a favor...Rebellion has to find a new car for 2014.And if Lola goes bottoms up...its really up to the other manufacturers. it would nice to see privateer Audis, Toyota's etc.the problem is they are all so darn secretive about there technology.They act like its the Cold war or like Audi has some kind of enigma machine.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

I specifically remember Roger Penske saying he has no interest in Le Mans unless an overall win was possible, and now it will be in 2014. I think his team is a real possibility in the future especially considering the success of the RS Spyder in ALMS. This however like most things here is speculation.

I remember this interview. They were talking about the possibility of the return of Penske Racing in Le Mans with its unbeatable Porsche RS Spyder. Roger said his interest was to win Le Mans overall, not only in LMP2 class. It would be a real event to see Penske Racing back in LM, expecially with a Porsche! If Joest and Audi will continue to race in LM notwithstanding Porsche return, Penske would be an ideal choice for german manufacturer to line up its new LMP1. Penske has shown to work very well with Porsche, the team has been really competitive in LMP2, facing and defeating Audi several times. I would be glad to see Porsche and Penske to win in Le Mans, the overall standing. It would be a giant battle between Penske/Porsche and Joest/Audi... but I think Audi will not of the match. I'm not sure VAG would risk Audi Sport's image in a fratricide fight against Porsche. For sure, it would be interesting!

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Dario911

I remember this interview.

This? http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL...nZ0SYYI#t=208s

[Adam43]

Ah, remember the great Silk Cut v Shell battle of 1988? Wow.

[Articus]

It would be very interesting to see Audi and Porsche compete.
Most bystanders do not know or give two hoots about what VolkwagenAG is. they dont know that Audi and Porsche are basically cousins.

[GT3.14]

Would ART or DAMS be suitable? They have been peerless in GP2 and have have shown interest in endurance racing. DAMS ran a P2 Pescarolo with sub-par drivers to a good result at Petit Le Mans last year and headquarters in Le Mans can't hurt. ART's endurance programme may be laughable with their McLaren GT3 car, but that should be a valuable learning experience. Remember, ART was supposedly going to be granted an F1 entry to replace Toyota until they withdrew their application due to lack of funding. If ART were confident they could run an F1 programme then they should be capable of running the Porsche team.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by GT3.14

Would ART or DAMS be suitable? They have been peerless in GP2 and have have shown interest in endurance racing. DAMS ran a P2 Pescarolo with sub-par drivers to a good result at Petit Le Mans last year and headquarters in Le Mans can't hurt. ART's endurance programme may be laughable with their McLaren GT3 car, but that should be a valuable learning experience. Remember, ART was supposedly going to be granted an F1 entry to replace Toyota until they withdrew their application due to lack of funding. If ART were confident they could run an F1 programme then they should be capable of running the Porsche team.

To win in Le Mans, you need a well experienced team. You need to know very well a race as hard and complex as Le Mans. You need to know the opponents.
If your name is Porsche, you are the most winning manufacturer in endurance history, you have achieved thousands of records at Le Mans... so you can't risk your name letting a new comer in LMP1 class manage your cars as main team!

[Simmi]

I wonder when the next official announcement will be about the programme?

RLM have been having an interesting back and forth about Dumas/Bernhard regarding their Audi careers. Obviously Timo is ruled out of LM, but they feel it will be the last time we see Romain in an Audi.

Dumas is leading the WEC right now but Audi would surely prefer one of their current drivers to take the title heading into next year - rather than a guy who is off to go test the Porsche.

[rich07]

Well if Porsche are going to engage Penske in their programme, they'd better open their wallet because The Captain doesnt pay to race, people pay him, thats what happened with the Spyder.

Would be a worthwhile investment though.

[BSchneiderFan]

Surely Porsche may well run the 2014 car in-house? That's the way they ran the 911 GT1 and GT1-98.

[Spyderman]

Yes, I suspect it will be run in-house.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Surely Porsche may well run the 2014 car in-house? That's the way they ran the 911 GT1 and GT1-98.

I think this would be the most likely scenario.

Im sure they'll let privateers race them like they did with the GT1, maybe not at first but maybe in the second year. Except for maybe someone like Penske in ALMS. Apart from the Hybrid for obvious reasons, I cannot think of a Porsche racecar that hasnt been sold to privateers. It would help with the costs of the program also.

[BSchneiderFan]

One more thing about the Porsche vs. Audi issue. I see no reason why they won't race each other. Porsche winning a race doesn't help Audi sell cars, and vice-versa. What does improve the brand image is Porsche and Audi winning races which are competitive.

[GT3.14]

Originally Posted by Dario911

To win in Le Mans, you need a well experienced team. You need to know very well a race as hard and complex as Le Mans. You need to know the opponents.
If your name is Porsche, you are the most winning manufacturer in endurance history, you have achieved thousands of records at Le Mans... so you can't risk your name letting a new comer in LMP1 class manage your cars as main team!

I think we will have to conclude that Porsche will run the team themselves then, picking up the best talent they can find. With Joest and Oreca taken there are not many options for outsourcing. A single-seater one make series could never prepare a team as preparation consists mostly of finding a good set-up, not developing a car as well as the general lack of experience in strategy. DAMS and ART would not be appropriate, and neither would Penske.