Porsche confident significant steps made with 963 ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours
Porsche is confident that it has made a significant step forward with its 963 LMDh ahead of this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours round of the World Endurance Championship.
Urs Kuratle, project leader on the 963, described last Sunday’s Le Mans test day as “definitely satisfying” after a Porsche was in the top three in the times in both sessions on Sunday.
The first track running of Le Mans week on the full 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe followed a significant test programme since the previous WEC round at Spa at the end of April.
It took in runs at Monza, Paul Ricard and Watkins Glen in the USA, which followed the Porsche Penske Motorsport team’s most recent IMSA SportsCar Championship race at Laguna Seca last month.
“We made a lot of progress through those tests and the one race we did in America,” Kuratle told Autosport.
“We learned a lot and in between the tests were also on the seven-post rig.”
The Porsche LMDh has struggled with a stability issue under braking, which is exacerbated in low-grip situations.
Kuratle explained that Porsche has “improved a lot in this area” since Spa.
“The drivers will tell you that, but I cannot say we are completely on top of it. It is still our biggest issue, but we are improving.
#75 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 of Felipe Nasr, Mathieu Jaminet, Nicholas Tandy, Matt Cambell
Photo by: Paul Foster
“I hope we have turned the corner, but we won’t be able to tell you until the end of the week.
Laurens Vanthoor, who ended up second fastest at the Test Day to Ferrari driver Antonio Giovinazzi, expressed satisfaction with the car around Le Mans.
“In general if felt good, but we still have work to do,” he said. "We still have things to work on and improve.
“It’s positive to see your name up high on the timing screen and is definitely good for the morale of everyone in the team.”
Vanthoor took second position in the times with a 3m29.648s, which compared with Giovinazzi’s 3m29.504s in the quickest of the Ferrari 499P LMHs.
But Vanthoor recorded a faster time, 3m29.274s, which would have been the best of the day had it not been deleted for a track-limits violation at Tertre Rouge.
Yifei Ye was third quickest in the morning for the Jota customer Porsche team with a 3m31.447s, which compared with the 3m30.686s with which Antonio Fuoco topped the session.
Related video
LMP2 bosses hit out at mild Le Mans penalty for rivals using illegal sensor in test
How Porsche's top class comeback lends prestige to the 2023 Le Mans battle
Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive
Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive Vettel in talks with Jota Porsche team about 2024 WEC drive
Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024
Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024 Jota closing on deal to run second Porsche Hypercar in WEC 2024
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward How Porsche ensured Toyota's WEC homecoming was anything but straightforward
IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2
IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2 IMSA Indianapolis: Tandy pounces on Nasr error to lead Porsche 1-2
Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future?
Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future? Will chaotic IndyCar finales become the norm in future?
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year Why Penske remains ambitious for its WEC learning year
Mercedes: W14 upgrades still worth it despite new F1 car direction in 2024
Mercedes: W14 upgrades still worth it despite new F1 car direction in 2024 Mercedes: W14 upgrades still worth it despite new F1 car direction in 2024
Excelr8 open to customer BTCC Hyundais; Ingram tipped to stay
Excelr8 open to customer BTCC Hyundais; Ingram tipped to stay Excelr8 open to customer BTCC Hyundais; Ingram tipped to stay
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
Rodin reveals plans of failed F1 bid; committed to female driver
Rodin reveals plans of failed F1 bid; committed to female driver Rodin reveals plans of failed F1 bid; committed to female driver
How McLaren conquered Le Mans with a car that wasn't intended to race
How McLaren conquered Le Mans with a car that wasn't intended to race How McLaren conquered Le Mans with a car that wasn't intended to race
Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights
Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights Alpine's new attempt to scale Le Mans heights
How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans
How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans How Ferrari scored a historic victory at Le Mans
The origin story of the Le Mans 24 Hours
The origin story of the Le Mans 24 Hours The origin story of the Le Mans 24 Hours
10 things we've learned from Le Mans so far
10 things we've learned from Le Mans so far 10 things we've learned from Le Mans so far
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence How Ferrari could have won Le Mans outright in its factory absence
Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap?
Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap? Was this the most remarkable Le Mans qualifying lap?
Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide
Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide Le Mans 2023: The team by team guide
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.