Porsche belives its high-downforce aerodynamics package is "looking good" ahead of its debut at the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring this weekend.
The German LMP1 manufacturer opted to delay rolling out its high-drag configuration until round four of the World Endurance Championship to maximise its development period.
A Le Mans-style downforce kit was used at Silverstone and Spa, compromising the cornering speeds of the 919 Hybrids and resulting in two Toyota victories.
Toyota took the more conventional approach of using high-downforce at those opening two races, before reverting to its low-downforce setup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although that effectively meant the Porsche 919 Hybrids will arrive in Germany with three months' extra preparation.
“For the 2017 WEC, we have once again extended the limits of what is technically possible and Toyota did the same," said team principal Andreas Seidl.
"Despite comprehensive new restrictions from the regulations, lap times have improved. But also reliability issues of both manufacturers at Le Mans showed that we all went to the limits."
"After winning Le Mans, we went straight to a very positive three-day performance test in Barcelona [covering 1,800km]. We feel well prepared for the six-hour race at the Nürburgring. The 919 Hybrid will appear with a new front and a changed rear section."
"Our new high downforce aero looks good. Now it has to prove its performance on the race track.”
Porsche drivers Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard currently lead the world drivers' championship on 83 points, 17 ahead of the leading Toyota crew of Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.
Crucial podiums at Silverstone and Spa, despite running the 'wrong' downforce setup, mean Porsche holds the advantage going into the second half of the nine-race season, with predominantly high-drag circuits left on the calendar.
"The situation could hardly be any nicer”, said Fritz Enzinger, Porsche LMP1 vice president.
“The 24 Hours of Le Mans was endurance racing full of highs and lows. In the Eifel mountains we target a clean six-hour race and we certainly would love to win there for a third consecutive time as well."
"Our new aerodynamics package for higher downforce worked well at a recent test. Now our mission of defending both the World Championship titles, for manufacturers and drivers, is in full swing.”
Track action for the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring commences on Friday, July 14th, while the race itself is due to get underway on Sunday at 13:00 local time (CEST).
