Porsche GT drivers Tandy, Lietz and Pilet get LMP1 audition

Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet and Richard Lietz all drove the 919 Hybrid during Porsche's final in-season test of the WEC season at the Aragon circuit in Spain this week.

They followed fellow GT drivers Frederic Makowiecki and Michael Christensen, who sampled the P1 car at Magny-Cours in September.

Porsche has given its GT drivers a chance in the 919 because it is evaluating an expansion of its squad from two to three cars for next year's Le Mans 24 Hours.

Tandy told AUTOSPORT: "Having been part of the Porsche Motorsport family for the past few years I'm delighted to be able to contribute to the test programme at the highest level and it was really good for me personally to be able to work again with a high-downforce car and learn from the engineers and drivers within the LMP programme.

"I really enjoyed it and I believe I did a good job, and although I love my GT campaign It would be great to get the chance to go to Le Mans in an LMP1 car to try to win overall, because that is the ultimate achievement for any sportscar driver."

Porsche LMP1 team principal Andreas Seidl said that "internal promotion is important".

"The Porsche squad of GT works drivers is top-class and very well trained," he continued.

"Right from the beginning, the LMP1 team benefited from that, and we are happy to give something back with the chance to test for us."

Porsche completed more than 2600 miles during the four-day test at which the majority of running was undertaken by P1 regulars Neel Jani, Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas.

The focus was on set-up for the three remaining WEC races of the season at Shanghai, Sakhir and Interlagos, and tyre testing.

"We came here with a very comprehensive programme for our final 2014 in-season test and we're pleased to have ticked off our entire job list," said Seidl.