The Porsche Teams are on the hunt for points.
The 2023 race season is coming to an end, but for Porsche Penske Motorsport and the Porsche Customer Racing teams, it is all or nothing: Valuable points are at stake for all teams in Bahrain.
The seventh and final race of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will take place at the beginning of November. Even though Porsche Penske Motorsport is in its first year in the Hypercar class, the team has been quite satisfied with the results of the past races. Ambitions are high, especially after the successful third place in Japan:
The first place of the Manufacturers' Championship has already been taken by hometown hero Toyota in Japan, but that cannot stop the Porsche Penske Motorsport Team and the Customer Racing Teams from giving their best one last time in 2023: In the LMGTE class, the Iron Dames have a good chance of taking the second place in the team and drivers' championships, while Dempsey-Proton Racing could still finish in the top three.
In the 8 Hours of Bahrain, teams and drivers who finish in the top 10 can earn the following points:
1st: 38 points
2nd: 27 points
3rd: 23 points
4th: 18 points
5th: 15 points
6th: 12 points
7th: 9 points
8th: 6 points
9th: 3 points
10th: 2 points
Current Porsche driver point standings in the WEC:
Drivers' Championship Hypercar class
Drivers' Championship LMGTE class
Drivers' Championship Hypercar class
Nr
#6
#6
#6
#5
#5
#5
#38
#38
#38
#99
#99
#99
Name
André Lotterer
Kévin Estre
Laurens Vanthoor
Dane Cameron
Frédéric Makowiecki
Michael Christensen
Antonio Felix da Costa
William Stevens
Yifei Ye
Gianmaria Bruni
Harry Tincknell
Neel Jani
Team
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Porsche Penske Motorsport
Hertz Team JOTA
Hertz Team JOTA
Hertz Team JOTA
Proton Competition
Proton Competition
Proton Competition
1000 MILES OF SEBRING
12
12
12
15
15
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF PORTIMÃO
15
15
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
0
0
0
12
12
12
8
8
8
0
0
0
24 HOURS OF LE MANS
8
8
8
12
12
12
2
2
2
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF MONZA
6
6
6
12
12
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF FUJI
15
15
15
0
0
0
8
8
8
2
2
2
Total points
56
56
56
52
52
52
20
20
20
2
2
2
Drivers' Championship LMGTE class
Pos
2
2
2
4
4
4
6
6
6
11
12
12
12
15
15
19
28
Nr
#85
#85
#85
#77
#77
#77
#86
#86
#86
#56
#60
#60
#60
#56
#56
#88
#88
Name
Michelle Gatting
Rahel Frey
Sarah Bovy
Christian Ried
Julien Andlauer
Mikkel Pedersen
Benjamin Barker
Michael Wainwright
Riccardo Pera
Matteo Cairoli
Alessio Picariello
Claudio Schiavoni
Matteo Cressoni
Gunnar Jeanette
PJ Hyett
Harry Tincknell
Jonas Ried
Team
Iron Dames
Iron Dames
Iron Dames
Dempsey-Proton Racing
Dempsey-Proton Racing
Dempsey-Proton Racing
GR Racing
GR Racing
GR Racing
Project 1 – AO
Iron Lynx
Iron Lynx
Iron Lynx
Project 1 – AO
Project 1 – AO
Proton Competition
Proton Competition
1000 MILES OF SEBRING
6
6
6
27
27
27
9
9
9
0
12
12
12
0
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF PORTIMÃO
15
15
15
6
6
6
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
6 HOURS OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
10
10
10
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
0
24 HOURS OF LE MANS
24
24
24
0
0
0
30
30
30
12
0
0
0
12
12
0
0
6 HOURS OF MONZA
10
10
10
25
25
25
15
15
15
4
18
18
18
0
0
0
0
6 HOURS OF FUJI
12
12
12
8
8
8
4
4
4
10
0
0
0
10
10
0
0
Total points
79
79
79
68
68
68
58
58
58
34
30
30
30
22
22
14
0
The Bahrain International Circuit
The track in the Sakhir desert will welcome the contestants of the WEC for the last time for now – it is not on the calendar for 2024. Teams can expect a challenging 5.142-kilometer (3.195-mile) course with artificial elevation changes despite its even surroundings.
Immediately after the start, drivers can accelerate on the 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) start-finish straight until they have to slow down before the first right-hander. After that, the track goes straight into a left corner. Turn three is a slight right, allowing drivers to accelerate into the following straight. Another right-hand turn ends the short sprint and heralds the following climb. Cars have to pass a series of serpentine turns in this section until they have to slow down once more ahead of turn eight. The track heads back uphill into a double left and another high-speed section. The following, long left turn leads uphill into a double right turn. Before reaching pit lane, the track turns leads into another double right-hander and the next lap of the Bahrain International Circuit begins.
In addition to the thrilling combination of high-speed and slow sections, teams also must content with the heat of the asphalt and the desert sand that blows onto the track. Then there is the eight-hour duration of the race, which begins in the afternoon and continues well into the night.
Last race of the Porsche 911 RSR in the WEC
Die 8 Stunden von Bahrain sind nicht nur der letzte Lauf der Saison, sondern auch das letzte Rennen des Porsche 911 RSR. Nach über 10 Jahren auf der internationalen Bühne zieht sich das The 8 Hours of Bahrain is not only the last race of the season, but also the last appearance of the Porsche 911 RSR. After more than 10 years on the international stage, the legendary vehicle retires for good, leaving behind an impressive legacy: 19 victories in the LMGTE Am class, 18 victories in the LMGTE Pro class, five championship titles and three class victories at Le Mans.
The 8 Hours of Bahrain promises to be an exciting race. Fans can watch the race on the FIA WEC livestream.
