Porsche LMP1 smashes 35-year Nordschleife record

Porsche has destroyed the long-standing Nordschleife track record with its 919 Hybrid Evo, the modified version of its retired World Endurance Championship LMP1 car, with Timo Bernhard setting a time of 5m 19.546s.

In April, the modified Porsche broke the Spa-Francorchamps track record with Neel Jani producing a 1m 41.770s to beat the previous record held by Lewis Hamilton set during qualifying at the 2017 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.

On an apparent world tour of breaking iconic track records, the German manufacturer then targeted the Nurburgring-Nordschleife with its previous track record set by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 C with a time of 6m 11.13s which had stood for 35 years.

In ideal cool and dry temperatures, Bernhard obliterated the track record in the 919 Hybrid Evo with a 5m 19.546s – cutting out almost a full minute on the previous record.

Porsche claimed three Le Mans 24 Hours victories and three WEC manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles with the 919 Hybrid before pulling out of the LMP1 class at the end of last year.

“This is a great moment for me and for the entire team – the 919 programme’s icing on the cake," Bernhard said. "The Evo was perfectly prepared and I have done my best on this lap. Thanks to the aerodynamic downforce, at sections I never imagined you can stay on full throttle.

“I’m pretty familiar with the Nordschleife. But today I got to learn it in a new way.”

Gosh!!!
5:19.55 mins @Timo_Bernhard @nuerburgring Nordschleife #919tribute pic.twitter.com/8EGv3NOxHr

— Porsche LMP1 Team (@Porsche_Team) June 29, 2018