Bergmeister hails heroic Team Project 1 effort
A herculean effort by the Team Project 1 LMGTE Am team saw an all-new Porsche 911 RSR take to the track on the same day it arrived fresh from Germany.
The emergency mission to get the car from Porsche’s factory in Weissach, Germany to Sebring in Flordia began earlier this week after Jörg Bergmeister suffered a devastating fire while out testing.
The Team Project 1 crew knew immediately that their only chance of participation in this Friday’s 1000 Miles of Sebring was to get their intended 2019 ELMS car out to Sebring.
With the expertise of WEC’s official logistics provider DHL, the team was able to receive their new car less than 72 hours after the incident to begin the build-up.
It then hit the track in the second of the 90-minute practice sessions on Wednesday evening.
“At these times you really get a sense of the teamwork and the care everyone has to get you out there and racing again,” said Bergmeister just before the car joined the other 33 cars on the Sebring International Raceway.
The Team Project 1 driver was also getting his hands dirty as he joined in with his own little bit of help in the build of the new Porsche 911 RSR.
“I try to help as much as I can, for example I am fitting the pedals at the moment, so we can all do something for sure,” he said.
The experienced German said he had little warning that the incident was about to take place last Sunday afternoon.
“I saw the fuel pressure drop and that was it really. The car will go back to Weissach and the analysis will start,” he explained.
Bergmeister’s team-mate Egidio Perfetti has prior experience of the Sebring track having raced in Porsche Cup Challenge last season and also having a handful of laps prior to Bergmeister’s fiery incident on Monday.
“Every lap is vital for Egidio so we will adapt our plans and hopefully be out for the second session and then I am sure we can still get a very strong result here and try and extend our points lead," concluded Bergmeister.
