Sebastian Vettel puts the 963 through its paces
The four-time F1 champion has tested the Porsche 963 on track, ahead of a potential debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans
Sebastian Vettel has completed an extensive test in Porsche Penske Motorsport’s 963 hybrid prototype. The German driver followed a day in the Porsche simulator back in March and a run at the test track in Weissach with a 36-hour test in the Porsche hypercar at Motorland Aragón in Spain. The winner of 53 F1 races covered a total of 118 laps – a distance of 581km (560 miles).
Vettel is thought to be eyeing a Le Mans debut with Porsche this year, which would see him drive the hybrid car alongside the existing roster of Porsche works drivers. Porsche is aiming to secure a 20th outright win at the famous endurance race, and boosting its chances is a third factory car that will be elded by Porsche Penske Motorsport. A seat in this could be made available for Vettel.
While he hasn’t taken part in a competitive race since retiring from F1 in 2022, Vettel always remained tight-lipped about his future. “Of course, I also keep an eye on other motorsport disciplines and know many drivers who are active in the WEC [World Endurance Championship] and Le Mans. At some point, my curiosity was so great that I had the idea of trying it out myself,” he said.
“After the seat adjustment, the simulator session and the roll-out in Weissach, I already had a good feeling,” Vettel continued. “Driving the Porsche 963 on the track here in Aragón – that was definitely fun. I first had to get used to everything and find my rhythm. The driving experience is different simply because of the roof over your head, as well as dealing with the higher weight and the tyres.
The Porsche works drivers were very helpful and explained to me what was special and what I needed to get used to. That made it easy for me.”
If Vettel does make the Porsche Le Mans squad, it leaves the rest of the line-up for the third entry in doubt. WEC regulars were expected to be joined by their colleagues who compete in the Us-based IMSA Sportscar Championship: Nick Tandy, Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron. All three IMSA drivers and Frenchman Mathieu Jaminet have already been listed on the Porsche entry for the race in June. Briton Tandy, Nasr and Cameron would presumably be left to ght for the nal spot. That said, customer teams Hertz Team Jota and Proton Competition have also entered three more Porsche 963s, possibly leaving scope elsewhere for anyone left stranded.