24h Le Mans
Porsche Penske Motorsport aims to make 24 Hours of Le Mans history next June with a 20th overall victory in the French endurance classic. The German manufacturer is working on every last detail of its 963 hypercar to meet this monumental challenge.
Porsche has learned the lessons of a successful 2024 season (wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Qatar 1812 Km and the 6 Hours of Fuji in the FIA WEC, and pole position at the 24 Hours of Le Mans), albeit one slightly tarnished by being ultimately pipped at the post in the race for the manufacturers’ title, losing out by just two points. “The competition will be even tougher in the 2025 season,” warns Porsche Motorsport Vice President Thomas Laudenbach. “Our rivals will progress, and new competition will come onboard too. We feel well prepared. In the past few months, we have carried out intensive analyses. The results have already been incorporated into our preparations for the coming season.”
Key to this strategy, therefore, is the work of the engineers in Weissach and at Porsche Penske Motorsport who are introducing significant alterations to the suspension of the Porsche 963. These adjustments are designed to optimise the hypercar’s behaviour according to the characteristics of each circuit. An essential asset for a competitive edge in both the FIA WEC and in IMSA.
On top of the technical preparations and organisational adjustments, Porsche hopes to strengthen its hand at Le Mans by potentially entering a third car. The German carmaker has picked up this third golden ticket along with its 2024 IMSA title. A decision will be made in the coming weeks. Lining up a third challenger would naturally improve the odds in the face of some tough competition.
As usual, Porsche Penske Motorsport is leaving no stone unturned in its ultimate quest – adding a 20th 24 Hours of Le Mans win to the manufacturer’s role of honour. With improved suspension, top-notch driver line-ups and a restructured global organisation, all the signs seem to be positive for making 2025 a historic year for the German marque.
What are Porsche Penske Motorsport’s objectives for 2025?
The main target is to earn a history-making 20th win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and to clinch the FIA World Endurance Championship manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles.
What alterations have been made to the Porsche 963?
The engineers have improved the suspension to better adapt the Hypercar to the track characteristics of the various championship venues.
Who are Porsche Penske Motorsport’s new drivers for 2025?
Julien Andlauer is joining the factory team and will partner Michael Christensen in the #5 Porsche 963. The #6 car will be driven by Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor. Porsche will add a third driver to these line-ups for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mathieu Jaminet will join Andlauer and Christensen, while Matt Campbell will be in the #6 car.
Will Porsche enter a third car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
The decision has not yet been made, but Porsche won an invitation with its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship title this season. This could boost its chances of success in the race. With the Proton Competition customer team also in the mix, there might well be four Porsche 963s on the grid at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Who are Porsche’s main rivals in the Hypercar class?
In 2025, Porsche will face prestigious manufacturers such as Toyota, Ferrari, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Peugeot and Aston Martin in its quest for victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
