911 RSR-19s Get Special Liveries for Le Mans
Le Mans is special every year, but Porsche has cooked up something extra cool for this year's event.
Special Liveries
The legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans kicks off September 19, and Porsche has cooked up something extra special to celebrate the occasion. The two 911 RSRs fielded by the Porsche GT Team will tackle the hotly contested GTE-Pro class featuring red and white and black and white liveries to commemorate the first of 19 overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 50 years ago.
Photos: Porsche
Proper Throwback
The basic design of the new liveries is similar to the one adorning the digital RSR that successfully contested the virtual Le Mans race back in June. The two factory cars will wear the lettering "1970" on the front lid and the roof. In that year, Britain’s Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann from Germany clinched the first overall victory at Le Mans for the sports car manufacturer from Stuttgart behind the wheel of the legendary Porsche 917.
Photos: Porsche
Varying Schemes
On that occasion, the vehicle fielded by Porsche KG Salzburg flew the national colors of Austria. The No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR will race with the very same red-and-white paintwork. On the No. 92 sister car, black replaces the red. Of the ten 911 racing cars to line up on the grid, eight 911 RSR are campaigned by customer teams in the GTE-Am class.
Photos: Porsche
Unique Challenges
This year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was pushed back to September because of COVID-19, which presents some special challenges for teams. Aside from different weather and lighting conditions, this is the new RSR's first attempt at the iconic endurance race, and pre-testing has been cancelled as well.
Photos: Porsche
Team Lineup
WEC drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Austria’s Richard Lietz will share the wheel of the No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR. Like last year, they will receive support from Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki. In 2018 and 2019, the experienced trio achieved second place in the GTE-Pro class. In the identical sister car sporting the starting number 92, reigning World Endurance Champions Michael Christensen from Denmark and Kévin Estre from France are reinforced by Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor, the defending titleholder of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Photos: Porsche
Catching the Action
Spectators won't be allowed at Le Mans this year, but fans can catch the 88th annual event on a variety of TV channels across Europe, or through live streams from ACO and the WEC via their official apps.
Photos: Porsche