Porsche and Toyota both looking forward to top class Nürburgring battle

Photo:  Some of Toyota Motorsport's endurance history on display in the TMG Museum in Cologne

At a press conference today in Cologne, the media were treated to the special, and unusual, sight of a Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 car outside Toyota Motorsport’s headquarters.

The two manufacturers came together to talk about next week’s 6 Hours of Nürburgring (14-16 July), the fourth round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship.  Present at the conference were leading media from the Cologne/Bonn/Dusseldorf region who heard from 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard of Porsche LMP Team’s No.2 entry, and three-time World Touring Car Champion José Mariá López of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s No.7 TS050 HYBRID. 

The many thousands of German motorsport fans who flock to the track in the scenic Eifel mountains will be treated to non-stop entertainment from the WEC, World Series Formula V8 3.5, Formula Renault Eurocup and Porsche Motorsport Race Weekend.  The 29 WEC cars start practice on Friday 14^th July, with the big event taking place on Sunday, 16^th July. 

A full timetable can be found HERE and the entry list HERE.

CLICK HERE for full ticketing information, from as little as €30 with full access to the paddocks, autograph sessions and entertainments.

Timo Bernhard, Porsche LMP Team

Expectations for the 6 Hours of Nürburgring…

“I think the expectations are high for the 6 Hours of Nürburgring.  We are going there with a Le Mans victory in our pockets and leading the world (drivers) championship so we have good motivation and a good background.  We tested the new high downforce aero package last week in Barcelona for the second part of the season, which will be introduced at the Nürburgring, and for sure we expect a close fight.  The Nürburgring has always been a great race for Porsche in the past and we will try for the hat-trick there as well, but it will be difficult.”  

What makes the Nürburgring special for a German driver…

“The Nürburgring is the race track in Germany, the home of German motor racing and I think the oldest track in Germany.  It’s a great layout, and if the Nordschleife is perhaps more famous the Grand Prix track we race on is spectacular.  I love it! It’s got a lot of elevations and technical corners which need a good sense of different driving styles and I like this mixture.

“It’s always full of fans, and the grandstands for the last two years have been packed full.  This year there’s no German Grand Prix, like in 2015, but a lot of fans came then to discover the WEC and now have found a new home in the WEC.  They are very happy with how close they can get to the drivers, being in the paddock, on the pit walks and so, which is thrilling for German fans and I think even more will come back now.”

Why should fans come to the 6 Hours of Nürburgring…

“I think there are two reasons why fans should come to the 6 Hours of Nürburgring.  There are spectacular cars and racing, of course, and this special family feeling.  Fans can be in the paddock, get an autograph or even a few words with a driver if they are not too busy, and they get a feeling of being involved which I think separates the WEC from other motorsport events.”  

José Mariá López, Toyota Gazoo Racing

Why it’s war every lap of a WEC race…

“We sort of joke between our team mates that when you become an endurance LMP1 driver, you become a man. You need to deal with things you’ve never had to deal with before in racing.  I think in my case I had to get up to speed as there was a huge difference in speed from where I was coming from to now.  The last time I drove a high downforce, really quick car was in 2006.  The traffic is also difficult and you have to learn which cars you are passing, and know who is inside those cars as you have amateurs and professionals, GTs and LMP2s.  You need to see who is in the car because maybe the guys in front of you want to help you and let you pass but they are all having their own race. They don’t really need to let us pass: we need to pass them.  There’s a lot going on in the car with the hybrid system, dealing with the traffic, and passing - I find it’s kind of like a war on every lap.  You pass maybe 6 cars every lap compared to sprint races where you might pass one car the whole time.”

On the WEC season so far…

“The championship started very well for Toyota’s car 8, winning the first two rounds.  I was a bit unlucky in Silverstone, making a mistake which prevented me from getting too much time in the car so I’m really looking forward to getting back now with Mike and Kamui. 

“We know Porsche is going to be using the high downforce package now and the fight will be very close – as it’s already been at the beginning of the year – and I’m really looking forward to the Nürburgring as it’s a very special place.”

Being a new boy in the WEC…

“These days being a rookie at circuits isn’t a big deal as we have simulators.  As a professional driver, you can’t make an excuse for your performance by saying you don’t know the circuit.  Maybe at the Nürburgring it would be nice to turn left at the last chicane to go on the Nordschleife with these cars, but this year for me I’m learning every time I jump in the car.  I’m learning every lap to deal with the traffic, and every time I jump out I can’t wait to having another go.  The track and the fans make it very special and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Cover photo shows 2016 Le Mans-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid with Toyota TS050 outside Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne