Porsche’s victorious return at The 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, ranks highly amongst the marque’s rich motor racing heritage. After a lengthy hiatus from the top class, Porsche returned with a new mission. Sporting success remained top priority, such is Porsche’s DNA. However, a secondary agenda to develop and promote embryonic hybrid technology carried further meaning for this endeavour.

In 2014, Porsche debuted their LMP1 919 Hybrid. Unquestionably, the most sophisticated Porsche ever built. Weissach’s engineering brainpower explored new depths, creating an astonishing machine, capable of defeating the mighty Audi and Toyota.

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After narrowly missing out on victory at Le Mans in 2014, redemption came in 2015. Convinced of their creation’s ability, yet aware of the pitfalls of Le Mans, Porsche spread their bets. Despite significant logistical and financial burden, Porsche fielded a third 919 Hybrid, running the number nineteen. This third car, a contingency plan of sorts, deserves its place in Porsche’s collection of nineteen outright Le Mans winners.

The legacy of the Porsche 919 LMP1 Hybrid owes much to car nineteen’s drivers and their extraordinary journeys to the cockpit. Earl Bamber’s journey to victory lane at Le Mans 2015, is nothing short of a fairy-tale. Stories of a rapid young driver dominating junior formulae and then abruptly running out of money, are far too common. The opening chapters of Earl Bamber’s story are familiar. Yet, the 2006 Formula BMW Asia champion reacted to the financial roadblock with typical Antipodean tenacity. Relocating to Malaysia in 2012 and enrolling as a high-speed driving instructor generated an unlikely career lifeline. A pupil, Adrian D’Silva, quickly became a friend. During an exhilarating passenger ride, D’Silva experienced Earl’s breath-taking speed. He had to help the tenacious Kiwi.

As a successful shipping magnate, D’Silva acquired a second hand 911 GT3 Cup car and a modest budget for Earl to compete in the 2013 Asian Porsche Carrera Cup. Despite inferior equipment, Earl romped to the title. In 2014, the Wanganui native continued to exhibit his exceptional ability, on a grander scale. A stellar year included a second Asian Carrera Cup title, a Bathurst 12-hour class win and podium at Petit Le Mans. Earl also became Porsche Supercup champion.

These triumphant performances didn’t go unnoticed by Porsche. Incredibly, six months prior to Le Mans victory in 2015, Bamber had yet to be confirmed as a factory driver. Then, the phone call came. Less than 24 months after coaching D’Silva in Malaysia, Earl was granted a coveted seat in the third 919 Hybrid for Le Mans. Rarely, has there been a swifter turnaround in a driver’s fortunes.

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By 2015, Nick Tandy had proven himself to Porsche and became a factory driver in 2013. Yet, his journey to the peak of sports car racing was unorthodox. A child karting prodigy, Tandy was not. Nick began terrorising the UK’s short ovals from the age eleven. Along with older brother Joe, Nick honed his craft in grassroots stock car racing. To this day, Tandy is known to be fierce in close combat, undoubtedly instilled during his oval racing career.

Despite no family wealth to draw upon, Nick Tandy fought his way up the ladder with gusto. Winning the prestigious Formula Ford Festival in the process. Much like Bamber, Tandy made it to the number nineteen Porsche in 2015 by resourcefulness and fortitude. Le Mans victory remains a fitting tribute to his brother Joe, who tragically died in 2009. Tandy’s herculean stint, through the night, proved pivotal to overthrowing Audi for victory in 2015. Sports car racing’s establishment, ambushed, under darkness.

Nico Hulkenberg arrived in F1 surrounded by fanfare in 2010. As GP2 champion, boasting a flawless karting career and a berth at Williams F1, Nico appeared to have a bright future at the pinnacle of motorsport. Sadly, Hulkenberg will be remembered as the finest driver never to score an F1 podium. A statistic which must haunt the 32-year-old German. Hulkenberg’s day in the sun came in 2015, at Le Mans, with Porsche number nineteen. Thanks to the compliance of the Force India F1 team, ‘The Hulk’ was permitted to race for Porsche at Spa and Le Mans. Hulkenberg understood hybrid powertrains, which were introduced to F1 in 2014. However, a 24-hour race presented a different test.

Despite his lack of exposure to multi class racing, sharing the track with amateur drivers and racing through the night, Hulkenberg exhibited his star credentials, whilst others faltered. As the Rolex clock ticked past 3pm on Sunday 14th June 2015, Hulkenberg held the honour of negotiating the Ford chicane for the last time and taking the chequered flag. In Porsche’s hospitality, invited guests sent champagne corks flying as car nineteen clinched the firm’s 17th Le Mans victory.

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Nearly five years on, Hulkenberg fell victim of the F1 piranha pool, without a seat for the 2020 season. Perhaps a return to Le Circuit de la Sarthe will bring Nico Hulkenberg back into the winner’s circle, where he undoubtedly belongs.

Despite minimal experience of the complex Porsche 919, this exceptional trio executed a flawless performance. Tandy, Bamber and Hulkenberg’s on track performances, won’t have shocked many. However, in Bamber and Tandy’s case, their unconventional journeys to Le Mans victory remain inconceivable. Their place in Porsche’s illustrious history, is thoroughly deserved.