Porsche's 919 Hybrid Evo LMP1 car aims for Nordschleife record lap
Porsche is set to attempt to beat the long-standing lap record around the Nurburgring Nordschleife with its upgraded 919 Hybrid Evo LMP1 car this month
The 'Evo' demonstrated its restriction-free upgrades when Neel Jani shattered Lewis Hamilton's 2017 Formula 1 pole time around Spa-Francorchamps in April.
Porsche has now turned its attention towards bettering the 6m11.13s recorded by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 in qualifying for the 1983 Nurburgring 1000km.
The upgraded Porsche has already driven the Nordschleife, having taken part in a demonstration run as part of a 'world tour' on the circuit alongside the 956 C driven by Hans-Joachim Stuck.
Two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Timo Bernhard took to the Nordschleife for a test on Monday at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid Evo, equipped with special Michelin tyres.
Autosport understands the test lasted for three-and-a-half hours, and was aimed at gathering set-up information and allowing Bernhard to familiarise himself with the track for a record attempt set to take place sometime before the end of June.
Although Bernhard is no stranger to the Nordschleife, having won the Nurburgring 24 Hours five times, the downforce levels generated by the 919 Hybrid Evo have forced him to learn the 20.81-km (12.93-mile) layout all over again.
The relatives of Bellof, who died in an accident during the 1985 1000km of Spa, are understood to be supportive of Porsche's attempt to break his record.
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