First laps on Weissach circuit for the Porsche LMDh prototype

The Porsche LMDh hit the track for its first run on the Weissah test track. Fred Makowiecki took care of completing the first laps of the prototype designed on the basis of the Multimatic chassis. Through its Twitter account, @PorscheRaces, the manufacturer posted videos Friday of the new prototype turning test laps at Porsche’s development center track in Weissach, Germany. Porsche works driver Fred Makowiecki was behind the wheel.

The LMDh platform will become the top prototype class for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship beginning in 2023. Other manufacturers already committed to competing along with Porsche in LMDh are Acura, Audi, BMW and Cadillac. Today’s test and accompanying video was the first anybody has seen and heard of an LMDh running on track.

“To be honest, it was a very impressive rollout,” Makowiecki said in a Twitter post. “We could do some laps and discovered that the car is working as expected. Now we have a good starting point to go forward.

“My first thought went to all the people who worked so many month(s) to get the Porsche LMDh car on the ground,” Makowiecki added in another tweet. “It is (a) very emotional moment to be allowed to represent them.”

Porsche Penske Motorsport recently announced a pair of WeatherTech Championship standouts, Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr, as the first fulltime drivers for the LMDh. The team is expected to compete in both the WeatherTech Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023.

“We are very proud of this important step in the development process of our new FIA WEC/IMSA contender for 2023,” said Thomas Laudenbach, head of Porsche Motorsport. “Thanks to everybody involved at Weissach and Team Penske.”