Porsche Secures FIA WEC Championship Glory in Bahrain
The Porsche Penske Motorsport team clinched the FIA World Endurance Championship title at the 2024 Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, marking a historic achievement for drivers Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, and Laurens Vanthoor in their #6 Porsche 963.
Season of Excellence
The championship-winning trio demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the 2024 season, beginning with:
- A dominant victory in Qatar
- Strategic performances across multiple races
- Outstanding teamwork and coordination
- Careful point management leading into Bahrain
"We arrived here with a bit of a point gap, which was a nice situation, but it didn’t look like it was done. At some point, we were a bit nervous," reflected Andre Lotterer on their championship-clinching race.
Dramatic Bahrain Finale
The final race proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the team:
- Started from P16 after first lap
- Struggled in P14 for extended periods
- Faced strategic challenges
- Dealt with penalties and setbacks
- Managed risks while advancing through the field
Championship Standings
| Driver | Team | Championship Result |
|---|---|---|
| Estre/Lotterer/Vanthoor | Porsche Penske | Champions |
Personal Triumphs
For Kevin Estre, the victory held special significance as he finally overcame what he called the "Bahrain curse" after previous championship losses at the circuit. The French driver praised his teammates, particularly highlighting his admiration for Lotterer’s approach to motorsport and his long-standing relationship with Vanthoor.
Laurens Vanthoor experienced an emotional moment post-race when his daughter celebrated his achievement, creating what he described as "one of the most special moments of my life."
Porsche Penske Partnership Success
The victory marked a significant milestone for the Porsche Penske collaboration, with Andre Lotterer reflecting on his journey with Porsche since 2017:
"When you come to race for Porsche, you want to win. To have a season like this year completely satisfied me in my job at Porsche with the whole team."
Legacy and Future
The championship represents a fitting farewell for Lotterer, who is departing the team after this season. The victory cements his legacy with Porsche, having achieved the ultimate goal in endurance racing’s premier category.
The triumph in Bahrain not only confirms the #6 Porsche crew as worthy champions but also validates the Porsche Penske Motorsport program’s effectiveness in its pursuit of endurance racing excellence.
