mark Webber is returning to Le Mans to race Porsche’s comeback prototype, the 919 Hybrid. auto express caught up with the Australian ex-F1 man at Le Mans ahead of the illustrious 24-hour race’s 82nd running.
“[The Le Mans circuit] hasn’t really changed much [since Webber was last racing here in 1999]”, says a kicked back Webber. “There’s a little bit more safety. obviously I’m a bit older, wiser, been round the block a bit more so i’m composed about the whole thing compared to when I was here last and I was a bit young and easy to impress!”
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Asked how his hyper-sophisticated Porsche 919 compares to what he’s driven here before, Webber responds: “Oh yes the automobile is completely different to drive [than the 1999 Mercedes]. Fifteen years is a long time in motor sport and this thing [the Porsche 919 Hybrid] is fifteen seconds a lap faster. The downforce [to drag ratio] is very efficient, grip is higher, tyre technology is up, downforce is up, and everything’s lighter.”
“Then there’s the hybrid side of it – we never used to have any of that – that’s just having your cake and eating it, in terms of fuel and everything, it’s just brilliant.”