Porsche Penske Motorsport achieved a remarkable one-two finish at the 73rd edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring, and solified their dominance in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The trio of Felipe Nasr from Brazil, Nick Tandy from Great Britain, and Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor piloted the No. 7 Porsche 963 to victory, replicating their success from the 24 Hours of Daytona earlier in the season. Their teammates, Matt Campbell of Australia, and French drivers Mathieu Jaminet and Kévin Estre, secured second place in the No. 6 Porsche 963, underscoring the team’s exceptional performance. This victory makes Porsche’s list of successes at the 12 Hours of Sebring only longer.
The race commenced under sweltering conditions, with temperatures soaring to 31 degrees Celsius. Despite the intense heat, the competition in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class was fierce from the outset. Felipe Nasr wasted no time, propelling the No. 7 Porsche 963 into the lead within the first 15 minutes. Although the team temporarily relinquished their lead about an hour into the race, they demonstrated resilience and strategic acumen, reclaiming the top position as evening approached.
The pivotal moment of the race unfolded following the ninth and final caution period, setting the stage for a thrilling 31-minute sprint to the finish. Nasr adeptly defended against relentless challenges from competitors, securing Porsche Penske Motorsport’s second consecutive victory of the season. This triumph marked Porsche’s 19th overall win at the Sebring endurance classic, their first since 2008.
For Nick Tandy, this victory was particularly significant. Having earned the moniker “Mister 24 Hours” after his Daytona win, Tandy joined an elite group of just ten drivers worldwide to achieve the Triple Crown of endurance racing, with overall victories at Sebring, Le Mans, and Daytona.
The No. 6 sister car maintained a strong presence throughout the twelve-hour race. Campbell, Jaminet, and Estre showcased consistent performance, ultimately crossing the finish line a mere 2.239 seconds behind their teammates. This one-two finish not only extended Porsche’s lead in the manufacturers’ championship but also positioned the two driver crews at the pinnacle of the overall standings.
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, lauded the team’s flawless execution, stating, “Drivers, mechanics, and engineers – everyone did an absolutely perfect job today. It couldn’t have gone better.” He emphasized the Porsche 963’s status as the most successful LMDh car since the introduction of the regulations, expressing pride in the collective achievement.
Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of winning both Daytona and Sebring, referred to as the “36 Hours of Florida.” He described the race as one of their most outstanding, attributing the success to the impeccable performance of drivers and the entire team, including pit stops, strategy, and car reliability.
Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, expressed elation over the team’s performance, noting that a mere two seconds separated their two cars after twelve hours of racing. He reflected on witnessing Porsche’s last overall victory at Sebring in 2008 and conveyed the joy of returning to the forefront together.
Customer teams also showcased the prowess of the Porsche 963 in the GTP class. Proton Competition secured a sixth-place overall finish, while JDC-Miller MotorSports’ identical hybrid prototype crossed the line in eighth. Notably, Porsche factory driver Nico Müller celebrated his debut in the Porsche 963 with a commendable performance.
In the GTD Pro class, AO Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, affectionately dubbed “Rexy,” clinched its first victory in a major endurance race of the IMSA series. Former Porsche Juniors Laurin Heinrich and Klaus Bachler, alongside Belgian driver Alessio Picariello, delivered a flawless race, ultimately winning by a margin of 4.371 seconds.
The GTD class saw the Wright Motorsports customer team facing challenges despite showing early promise. The team contended for the lead with their 911 GT3 R but incurred two penalties that impeded their progress, resulting in a fifth-place class finish. The Iron Dames team concluded their second IMSA outing with the 911 in eleventh place.
The next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is scheduled for April 12 at Long Beach. This event, a spectacular street race near Los Angeles, is notably shorter, lasting just 100 minutes.
In summary, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s performance at the 12 Hours of Sebring was nothing short of exemplary. The team’s strategic brilliance, coupled with the drivers’ skill and resilience, culminated in a historic one-two finish. As they look ahead to the upcoming races, the momentum garnered from these victories positions them favorably for continued success in the championship.
Edited Porsche Factory Press Release
Pictures & Video courtesy Porsche AG
