Porsche Overcomes Hybrid Challenges to Claim Daytona 24 Hours Victory
Porsche Penske Motorsport (PPM) has successfully addressed hybrid issues that affected its 963 LMDh entry, culminating in a victorious performance at last weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours. The team secured first and third place in the IMSA SportsCar Championship season-opener.
PPM detailed a dual-fix strategy that involved revising operational procedures and reverting to previously used components from the 2022 season’s energy storage system (ESS). These changes enabled both 963s to race without significant technical issues, a contrast to the multiple problems faced during the pre-event Roar test, practice, and qualifying sessions.
Managing director Jonathan Diuguid stated that the crew had to replace "parts and pieces" in the ESS six times leading up to the race. "We found a smoking gun that we were able to address before the race," he noted, emphasizing the operational nuances unique to the team.
Urs Kuratle, project leader for the LMDh program at Porsche Motorsport, explained that some re-used components were still viable from a mileage standpoint, supported by on-site availability of spare parts from suppliers like Fortescue Zero and Bosch Motorsport.
Diuguid highlighted the collaborative efforts among manufacturers and component suppliers to troubleshoot the hybrid system. Despite the successful outcome, he cautioned that the root cause of the high-voltage issues remains unclear, stating, “We cannot be sure if our trouble-free run was due to the changes we made or just luck.” Kuratle added a commitment to further analyze the issues encountered during the pre-race sessions.
This victory marks a significant turnaround for Porsche, showcasing not only their resilience but also the importance of technical diligence in the rapidly evolving landscape of hybrid motorsport.
