Disqualification Strikes Porsche at Le Mans Qualifying
In a significant turn of events during Wednesday evening’s Le Mans 24 Hours Qualifying session, the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 was disqualified for failing to meet the minimum weight requirements. This ruling has major implications for the team, as defending FIA World Hypercar Endurance Champions Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and co-driver Matt Campbell will now start at the back of the Hypercar class grid.
According to Stewards’ Decision number 66, an examination of the Technical Delegate’s report revealed non-compliance with the car’s weight regulations. The Team Manager acknowledged the scrutineering results during the hearing, leading to the disqualification. The pertinent excerpt stated, “As a result, competitors classified behind car 6 at the end of the qualifying session will be moved up in the classification in accordance with article 12.19 of FIA Sporting Code.”
The #6 Porsche had initially qualified fourth, with Estre having achieved pole position the previous year. The ramifications of the ruling allow the #009 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie, which finished 16th in the first qualifying but was elevated due to the Porsche’s disqualification, to compete in Hyperpole 1.
With this adjustment, seven of the eight Hypercar manufacturers will now have at least one car in the pivotal Hyperpole session, scheduled to begin tomorrow at 21:05 CET.
