2/6 Porsche LMP1/98 Presensation

// This is a direct reupload of the post I made for Instagram and Facebook

Porsche LMP1/98 Presentation 2/6

For the second consecutive year, Joest Racing celebrated an underdog victory at Le Mans, achieving the fourth-ever double win for a single chassis with the Porsche WSC-95 #001. After an unexpected triumph in 1996, the 1997 race saw the new 911 GT1 Evo initially leading. However, the GT1's lack of reliability, contrasted with the WSC's durability, shifted the race. Porsche’s reaction was mixed: happy for the victory, because it was still a Porsche win, but frustrated by the GT1's double DNF. The stakes were higher for 1998: Porsche’s 50th anniversary demanded a headline "Porsche Wins Le Mans." and not "JOEST Porsche Wins Le Mans."

Both WSC-95s were returned to the factory in December after intense tyre testing to decide between Michelin and Goodyear. Norbert Singer working on significant upgrades. Aerodynamics, engine, gearbox, and weight distribution changes promised a four second lap improvement for the WSC and 3.2 seconds for the GT1 Evo.
Later, Porsche binned all these plan and decided to build both cars from scratch, aiming to stay competitive in the arm race against Mercedes, BMW, and Toyota. Renamed the Porsche LMP1/98, the car received the new rear-end of the 911 GT1-98, replacing the older Porsche 962 engine and Jaguar XJR-14 suspension and the body was completely revamped.

Joest Racing became fully integrated into the factory effort, now running under the Porsche AG banner, meaning the cars now had to pre-qualify for Le Mans. Though they passed easily, challenges arose: drivers criticized the handling, too understeery, high speed unstability, the car was slower than in 1997, and concerningly, it trailed the GT1-98 by seven seconds. In fact, it lagged behind every GT1, BMW, and even one 333SP.

Porsche left pre-qualifying with a long to-do list, and the countdown to race day was ticking fast.