of the races. 6 hours is the shortest race with 1000km. Of course Le Mans is about 5000km and 24 hours. So it is very, very different mentally to F1. But we still need to have huge focus on precision to improve the car as much as we can. But I think the dynamics of having multiple teammates and working hard with them is the biggest step of all issues. ”
F1 is allegedly the leading motorsport in terms of the development of technologies. However, despite F1 has entering a brand new era with 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid engine, the LMP1 prototype seems to have made another step in that area.
While Toyota’s TS040 HYRID has a total power output of nearly 1000bhp - including 473bhp available from its front and rear-axle hybrid system - the Porsche 919 Hybrid (powered by a 2-litre V4 turbo petrol engine) produces more than 750bhp featuring two hybrid systems, which supplements approximately 100bhp more boost than the current F1 power unit, with a separately front mounted MGU-K.
“Yes, the technology today is amazing,” said the Queanbeyan-born driver. “Now we have hybrid situation in modern motorsport. Porsche is at the forefront with the hybrid technology. We have incredible systems on the car which I was excited by. The technology has changed a lot. In the 1980s, we just had normal combustion engine, big cc, more power. Now the engine is smaller, we have a big electronic component, which gives a lot of power.”
As a big fan of Porsche’s road cars, Webber strongly believes the revolution of road car will rely more on sports car technology. “We saw many times on the straights the Porsche having a good speed that is a real testament to the world they put into this new technology”, says Webber.
“And this stuff obviously is going into road car in the future. It is a very good car revolution from technology coming from racing into road cars, which is something Porsche really can completely do, because they have a very aggressive and quite a sports car oriented road car session. So they can put a lot technologies into the road cars that is good for us to know. ”
Racing with Porsche and returning to Le Mans makes Webber excited. And he almost tasted the victory in his first race. In the morning of Sunday, Car #20 led for a couple of hours before a mechanic failure ruined the chance for the Australian and his teammates to reach the podium that afternoon. Webber, however, enjoyed his return to Le Mans and has faith in Porsche.