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progress in embracing the new regulations and providing its very own interpretations for what they think is the optimal solution.
After qualifying, I spoke with Timo Bernhard and asked him how the trio were getting on and adapting to the Porsche way, especially with the new program: “It was the first time that we had a qualifying session in the new 919 hybrid. The sister car finished in P3 and we were in P6, but everything was very close.
“We didn’t have a perfect car, as we were trying different set-ups, and in the end, it was good to have a learning phase where we are going from here. Mark is doing a great job and is very much a team player, and has adapted very quickly to the Porsche way. We are working hard with the engineers to get the maximum out of the new car.”
The pair of cars may have qualified in 3rd and 6th place respectively, but there was some promise of a good run of form for the team. The difference in how endurance racing shows more of an impact on reliability was a clear factor in how the results pan out.
Yes, there was a frivolous amount of activity in the initial hour of the race with Toyota and Audi battling hard to get out in front and keep opening the gap. But with the changes in weather and several issues, Porsche seemed to just be biding their time and keeping a steady rhythm and just kept going.
Sometimes the fact that no clear strategy was potentially employed was the best way to deal with the newness of the situation, with energy efficiency calling the shots for all concern. Yes, Toyota came in with a 1-2 finish, with a certain birthday boy enjoying the spoils of glory in the form of the RAC Tourist Trophy.
But credit has to go the trio that were the last LMP1-H team standing, which shows testament to the efforts by all in the cockpit and in the pit lane that all the hard work was worth it. Hartley’s words showed both happiness and relief that the work up until this point was good, but that there is still work to be done.
“We all gelled very quickly and we’ve already got a good relationship already. I’m really looking forward to the future and I’m going to take some time and enjoy this moment, as it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.