WEC | Porsche believes in Imola: “We want to defend records”

For the first time since competing in the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship, Porsche enters a race as leader of the world rankings, which will determine a certain weight in various aspects.

The huge victories obtained in the Hypercar Class in Qatar by the 963 of the official Penske team and the private one by Jota in the ranking dedicated to it, plus the success of the 911 GT3-R of Manthey Pure Rxcing in LMGT3 has placed the Stuttgart brand as that of reference to beat at the 6h of Imola.

It is clear that the Santerno track has very different characteristics compared to Lusail, just as the extensive changes to the Balance of Performance will further shuffle the cards on the table, but during the month that passed after the first stage of the season the tests continued, accumulating precious data that in Emilia Romagna they will certainly be useful.

“Last month our team carried out tests on the Imola circuit and acquired extremely valuable information. We are heading into the second round of the season well prepared”, says Urs Kuratle, Director of Porsche's official LMDh programme.

“The Jota customer team also exploited the full potential of the 963 at the season opener in Qatar. Our aim is to do so also in Imola and defend our leadership in the World Championship. So far our balance sheet for 2024 looks very good and we want to continue like this.”

Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, is also of the same opinion: “Our clear objective is to immediately obtain another important result after the good start to the season in Qatar and consolidate our position at the top of the championship”.

“The characteristics of the Imola track are completely different from those of Doha. However, we are determined to seriously fight for another victory in Italy. It will be an intense and exciting weekend for Porsche and for our Porsche Penske Motorsport team.”

#6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

On the drivers front, expectations are very high, as Matt Campbell is keen to highlight: “We started the season very well in both the FIA ​​WEC and IMSA. Our team has achieved great successes and is now leading both championships. Obviously, we want to continue our good form in Imola.”

“The tests we did a few weeks ago were extremely informative. The last time I raced here was in 2020 and I really like the track. Now we're going there for the first time with the WEC. I'm sure we'll give the fans action-packed races.”

Laurens Vanthoor adds: “We won the opening race in Qatar and now we go to Imola as championship leader. We want to repeat ourselves with another victory in Italy, but it won't be easy because the competition is strong. The circuit is practically the opposite than the one in Qatar: old-fashioned layout, real curbs and almost no escape routes. I really like it and I can't wait to see what happens; it will be a great challenge for all the teams and drivers.”

#38 Hertz Team Jota Porsche 963: Jenson Button, Philip Hanson, Oliver Rasmussen

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

The one who will be 'at home' is Jenson Button, in action at Imola since his F1 days and now ready to get into the cockpit of Jota's Porsche #38: Jenson Button (Porsche 963 #38): “I have mixed emotions about returning to Imola is where I got my first Pole Position in F1 with the legendary Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari starting second.”

“It's the 20th anniversary of that first pole at Imola, but this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the loss of two greats, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. For this reason, I'm sure it will be characterized by mixed emotions for much of the motorsport community”.

“The track, overall, is very nice to ride: very fast and smooth, it will be really challenging for our LMDh, but I can't wait to get out on track with the team to see what both of them are capable of doing. cars”.