Porsche has obliterated the long-standing record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife as part of its 919 Hybrid Evo farewell tour.
Porsche competed in the LMP1 division of the World Endurance Championship with the 919 Hybrid from 2014 to 2017, taking three straight titles and successive Le Mans 24 Hours victories.
Porsche withdrew from the premier category at the conclusion of the 2017 campaign but has used an updated version of its 919, which does not adhere to any regulations, to go on a ‘farewell tour’.
Video: Watch the record-breaking onboard lap.
Neel Jani set a new lap record at Belgian circuit Spa-Francorchamps, running extensive aerodynamic updates and more engine power on a lighter version of the 919.
Timo Bernhard, who was part of Porsche’s title-winning LMP1 programme, was behind the wheel on Friday morning as the 919 Hybrid Evo smashed a new lap record.
Bernhard lapped the 20.8-kilometre circuit in 5:19.55, beating the 35-year old record by almost a minute.
The previous record was held by Stefan Bellof, whose time of 6:11.13 was achieved aboard a Porsche 956 C in 1983.