Mark Webber debuts in Porsche LMP1 race car

Porsche has concluded the 2013 development programme with its new LMP1 race car by completing the year's final series of test laps at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.

Testing will resume in early 2014, following which Porsche will field two LMP1 prototype race cars in the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting April 2014, with the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours as the highlight of the season.

The WEC regulations stipulate that manufacturers run hybrid vehicles in the top class for Le Mans Prototypes (LMP1).

In developing the all new LMP1 race car featuring a very efficient, high-performance hybrid drive, Porsche engineers faced major challenges that was solved using innovative solutions.

The race car features a hybrid system that consists of a four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection and two energy recuperation systems.

The recovered energy is stored in a battery until retrieved by the driver. A powerful electric motor then provides additional drive to the front axle, however, the WEC rules limit the amount of fuel as well as the electrical energy, available per lap.

At the Algarve race circuit, Mark Webber got his first chance to climb aboard the Porsche LMP1 racer - despite still being under contract with the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. From January 2014, Webber officially joins the Porsche factory team as a works driver and will reinforce the already signed driver lineup of Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani.

Webber commented, "My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this."

The final test for 2013 in Portugal was primarily for suspension and tyre developments with partner Michelin. Previously, the Porsche LMP1 squad had pressed ahead with the development of the new race car on circuits at Magny-Cours (France), Monza (Italy) and Paul Ricard (France), as well as on the Eurospeedway Lausitz (Germany).