[Video] This mighty Porsche 919 just broke the F1 lap record at Spa!
"Alright Porsche, what’re you up to?" we were thinking as we watched this 919 battle its way round Spa looking and performing rather differently to its competition counterpart. Now we know it just beat Lewis Hamilton's F1 lap record... because this is Porsche's idea of motorsport down time.
With the 919 program over and their Formula E campaign still a year off, what else are Porsche to do? Twiddle their thumbs? Binge Netflix? Nope. The 919 needed to go out in a blaze of glory. Hence the "Tribute Tour" just announced, starting with a 1:41 lap at Spa... How? Take a close look at the car. You’ll note the enormous (not competition legal) wing, complete with waggling DRS system (illegal), a sharper snout with lack of headlights (also illegal) and massive skirts (there’s a pattern forming). Pause at the right moment and you’ll see “919 Tribute” written on the side, too.
Lastly, this thing is sounding rather strung out – like the wick’s been turned up to the point that it likely wouldn’t last a stiff six-hour let alone 24 at Le Mans. This is a different animal altogether to the 919 we know and love, we’d hazard to guess. Among its many destinations for the remainder of the year will be our very own Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard. See you there, Porsche...