Porsche Faces Challenges in Disappointing Season Opener at Qatar

Porsche had a disappointing start to the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship at Lusail International Circuit, failing to place any cars in the top ten during qualifying. Both entries faced multiple challenges during the race. The #5 team finished tenth, while the #6 car ended eleventh due to early setbacks. Management remains hopeful for improved performance in future events.

The defending champions, Porsche, expressed disappointment after a challenging start to the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship at Lusail International Circuit, which saw them fail to place any Porsche 963s in the top ten during qualifying. Julien Andlauer qualified the 5 hybrid prototype in 11th place, just missing Hyperpole, while reigning Drivers’ champion Kévin Estre ended up 13th with the 6 entry. The race was filled with obstacles for both teams, requiring them to regroup and strategize for future events.

Following an unscheduled pit stop for tyre damage, the 5 team, comprised of Andlauer, Mathieu Jaminet, and Michael Christensen, fell to last place in the Hypercar class. A temporary boost to third was short-lived due to further tyre issues and a rear axle problem that ultimately limited their finish to a lapped tenth place. Jaminet reflected on the difficulties, stating, “It was pretty tough on the track – rarely have I had contact with so many other cars in such a short space of time.”

The 6 car, crewed by Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell, experienced issues early on as Vanthoor was rear-ended, necessitating a rear wing replacement during the first pit stop. This setback meant the team finished in 11th, roughly 20 seconds behind the 5 entry. Disappointed by the results, both the team and its management expressed plans to improve by round two of the championship at the 6 Hours of Imola.

Urs Kuratle, Porsche Factory Motorsport LMDh Director, acknowledged the challenging race, emphasizing that last year’s podium finish was now a distant memory. Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, reiterated the team’s sentiments, pointing out that the 6 was damagingly affected by a Virtual Safety Car, while the 5 faced punctures. Both directors are optimistic about refining their performance going into future races.

Porsche’s results in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship’s Qatar race fell short of expectations, as both the #5 and #6 entries faced significant challenges. Despite placing outside the top ten in qualifying and battling various on-track issues, the team remains committed to improvements ahead of the upcoming 6 Hours of Imola. Moving forward, both management and drivers are determined to enhance their performance, reflecting a strong desire to reclaim their competitive edge in the championship.

Original Source: www.fiawec.com