Sebastian Vettel, a renowned Formula 1 driver who won four consecutive world titles, recently had a successful test with Porsche at the Aragon circuit in Spain. The 36-year-old German driver took a break from racing after retiring from F1 in 2022 and decided to try out the 963 Hypercar. Vettel’s performance during the test was impressive and he expressed his interest in exploring different categories of motorsport since his retirement, including the World Endurance Championship and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Vettel’s curiosity led him to the new era of the WEC, which has attracted several manufacturers like Porsche, BMW, and Lamborghini. Porsche provided Vettel with the opportunity to fulfill his wish to test the 963 Hypercar. There were rumors before the test about Vettel joining the WEC with Jota-Porsche. Prior to the test, Vettel underwent seat adjustments and a simulator session in Germany, which left him confident and excited about the upcoming experience. He made the most of the opportunity to drive the Porsche 963 at the Aragon circuit, completing 118 laps during the test.
Vettel acknowledged the differences between driving an LMDh hypercar and an F1 car. He needed time to adapt to the pace and the closed cockpit of the hypercar. The weight of the 963 was also significantly heavier than a 2024 F1 car, adding to the challenge. Fortunately, Vettel received support from Porsche WEC drivers who were present at the test, including the world champion and former F1 driver, as well as the current DTM champion. Their guidance and advice made the test easier for Vettel.
After his first experience with the Porsche 963, Vettel expressed his happiness and did not rule out the possibility of racing in Le Mans this year. However, there has not been an official confirmation yet about Vettel’s return to racing at this time. Fans will have to wait for more updates.