Porsche delays Le Mans reveal: Vettel racing comeback coming?

Porsche has unexpectedly postponed its announcement regarding who will be driving in the prestigious Le Mans race this year, stirring speculations that Sebastian Vettel, the illustrious retired four-time Formula 1 world champion, may be gearing up for a major comeback in motorsport. Last weekend, it was revealed by the Volkswagen group’s distinguished German brand that Vettel would be getting back into racing gear for an exhaustive test session at Spain’s Aragon circuit, taking the helm of the Porsche 963 hypercar, which is primed for Le Mans.

After completing a rigorous 118 laps on Tuesday, the 36-year-old racing icon remarked he found the experience “definitely fun,” leaving fans and the motorsport community buzzing with anticipation about his next move. Vettel shared his long-standing intrigue with the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans, stating his curiosity eventually led him to explore the possibility of participating himself.

Jonathan Diuguid, the managing director of Porsche Penske Motorsport, highlighted the significance of Vettel’s involvement, praising it as a remarkable opportunity for the team given Vettel’s storied career in Formula 1 as a four-time world champion. “We are happy to have him here,” Diuguid expressed, underscoring the positive atmosphere Vettel brings to the team.

While Porsche has already finalized its driver lineup for the two regular entries at Le Mans, the introduction of a third works car in June has left room for speculation. Reports from German magazine Motorsport Aktuell suggest that Vettel’s performance during the initial test was on par with that of Porsche’s established works drivers. Furthermore, Auto Motor und Sport reports that the anticipated March 28 announcement for the third car’s lineup has been delayed, fuelling rumours about Vettel’s potential participation.

Diuguid shared a glimpse into Vettel’s test session, noting that “He came out of the car with a smile,” which he sees as a positive sign. This development has left fans eagerly awaiting official news on whether Vettel will indeed be part of Porsche’s lineup for the upcoming Le Mans race, marking a thrilling new chapter in his illustrious racing career.

GMM

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