It is one of the premier classes of motorsport: the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Eight races, held on race tracks around the globe. One of the absolute highlights of every season is certainly the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France - and probably the dream of every racing driver to be at the front of the field. The Porsche Penske Motorsport Team is also eagerly awaiting the legendary endurance race. The drivers are entering their second season together this year with the hybrid prototypes Porsche 963 #5, #6 and #7.

Frédéric Makowiecki (#5): "Taking overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Porsche 963 would be perfect." The Frenchman has been a Porsche works driver for 14 years. He also began his career early in karting, then switched to French Formula 3 and finally to GT racing - with several top finishes at Le Mans.

 

Kévin Estre (#6): The will to win through and through - which is why the Frenchman was not discouraged when his original dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver did not work out. Without further ado, he changed tack and competed in the Porsche Carrera Cup in France and in various Porsche one-make series. With success: as a Porsche works driver, he now wants to dominate Le Mans.

 

Laurens Vanthooer (#6): His big goal: to complete the quartet with a victory at Le Mans and Daytona. The Belgian would then have crowned all four 24-hour races with a title.

 

Matt Campbell (#7): He has been passionate about sports cars since his childhood - and his grandfather was already active in motorsport. When Matt Campbell sat in a Porsche racing car for the first time a good eleven years ago, the connection was immediate. In this respect, it is a triple highlight for the Australian that he is now a works driver for Porsche and can combine his motorsport history, his love of traveling and his sim racing hobby.

 

Andre Lotterer (#7): Go-karting, Formula 3, then Formula 1. The Belgian, who increasingly acted as a substitute driver here, ventured into the GT class. True to his motto: "No race, no life". A successful switch - and one step closer to his lifelong dream: overall victory at Le Mans.

 

Michael Christensen (#8): Compared to his colleagues, the Dane was more of a late starter - and then turned on the turbo. He achieved numerous national and international placings in formula and GT racing. He describes himself as a conservative driver. And names his recipe for success in endurance racing: Carefully weighing up the risks and benefits.

Endurance races have been around for around 100 years - they are the actual birthplace of many innovations in motorsport. Driving at Le Mans in particular is still considered a special honor for many drivers today. The Porsche Penske Motorsport crew is also eager for the new season in the WEC and the hunt for more podium finishes.