Porsche’s rollout test for their Multimatic-chassised LMDH Prototype has been postponed until the New Year after last-minute delays made the planned December first run impractical.
The decision to delay the first test was clearly a last minute one with statements coming from Porsche just a few days ago still confirming the December date.
Industry sources have indicated to DSC that ongoing logistical challenges, in part caused by the COVID 19 emergency, are causing significant, but not programme-threatening delays not just for the Porsche LMDH but across the industry.
“We are facing enormous challenges due to the tight schedule of the LMDh programme, as a result, the rollout of the Porsche LMDh will not be able to take place until early January 2022. The intensive test programme will not be affected by this.”
That test programme is set to involve Porsche Penske Motorsport, the factory-nominated team for both FIA WEC and IMSA programmes from 2023 in testing both in Europe and the USA.
The factory cars are set to be joined on the grid by a limited number of customer Porsche LMDh cars from 2023 with multiple potential teams confirming to DSC that they are awaiting details of the financial package for the cars before a formal commitment.
The unit price of the Porsche cars though is known in the marketplace, with full season FIA WEC running costs for an LMDh effort significantly in excess of current LMP2 numbers.
Hints On LMDH Styling
Several sharp eyed observers have noted that the various teasers and renders of the Porsche do not quite match up!
DSC understands that the car is set to look very much like the teasers released last weekend at the rear, with frontal styling as revealed in the presentation on Porsche’s Night of Champions, reminiscent of the 956 Group C car and with a side pod design that is closer to that seen in the original concept renderings (below).
