MENU

Timo Bernhard smashes Nordschleife record in a Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

  • Timo Bernhard Porsche Nordschleife record
  • Timo Bernhard Porsche Nordschleife record
  • Timo Bernhard Porsche Nordschleife record

Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard smashed the lap time record at the famous 20.832 kilometre Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, making a fantastic lap of 5 minutes and 19.546 seconds in a Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo. Bernhard’s lap was 51.58 seconds faster than the 35-old-year record of Stefan Bellof (6:11.13), set in a Porsche 956C back in 1983.

While Bellof’s record was set during the practice for official WEC race, Bernhard’s record lap on Friday’s morning was a part of the ‘919 Tribute Tour’, similar to the previous record run of Neel Jani at Spa-Francorchamps.

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, Nurburgring Nordschleife record

Porsche LMP team after a record-breaking attempt

Porsche has chosen Timo Bernhard for Nürburgring’s record attempt because he’s the five-time overall winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours and knows Nordschleife very well.

“This is a great moment for me and for the entire team – the 919 programme’s icing on the cake. The Evo was perfectly prepared and I have done my best on this lap. Thanks to the aerodynamic downforce, at sections I never imagined you can stay on a full throttle. I’m pretty familiar with the Nordschleife. But today I got to learn it in a new way”, said the 37-year-old Timo Bernhard. “For me, Stefan Bellof is and remains a giant. Today my respect for his achievement with the technology available back then increased even more,” he added.

Timo Bernhard in the 1160-hp Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

Timo Bernhard in the 1160-hp Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

The Evo version of the Porsche 919 Hybrid is based on the car that took outright victory at the Le Mans 24-Hours and won the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The car is liberated of some restrictions determined by the regulations.

Now, its hybrid powertrain develops about 1160 hp. The Evo weighs only 849 kilograms and its modified aerodynamics generate over 50 percent more downforce compared to the WEC model. The top speed in the record-breaking attempt was 369.4 km/h (229.5 mph).

The “919 Tribute Tour” will continue with appearances at the VW Fun Cup Spa-Francorchamps (July 6-7), Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 12-15), Festival of Porsche Brands Hatch (September 2) and Porsche Rennsport Reunion Laguna Seca (September 26-29). After the tour, Porsche 919 Hybrid will take its place in a museum.

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo at Nurburgring Nordschleife

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo at Nurburgring Nordschleife

Photos: Porsche

Related Posts