This week, four-time Formula 1 world champion was behind the wheel of a Porsche 963 in a testing session at Motorland Aragón in Spain. The German completed 118 laps of the 5.345-kilometre circuit in two double stints as Porsche Penske Motorsport ramps up its preparations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. For Vettel, it was the first racetrack test with a hybrid prototype following LMDh regulations.

"Of course, I also keep an eye on other motorsport disciplines and know many drivers who are active in the WEC and Le Mans. At some point, my curiosity was so great that I had the idea of trying it out myself. Porsche gave me the opportunity to test a current hypercar with the 963," said Vettel. “Driving the Porsche 963 on the track here in Aragon - that was definitely fun. I first had to get used to everything and find my rhythm. The driving experience is different simply because of the roof over your head, as well as dealing with the higher weight and the tyres. The Porsche works drivers were very helpful and explained to me what was special and what I needed to get used to. That made it easy for me."

Vettel prepared for his stint in the hybrid prototype with an extensive simulator session at the Porsche Motorsport Centre in Flacht, familiarising himself with the complex controls of the Le Mans race car. The German then drove his first kilometres in the Porsche 963 on the in-house test track at the Weissach Development Centre.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Porsche