2019 Porsche 919 Final Race
Porsche's LMP1 hybrid program ended after the 2017 season, with no factory 919 Hybrid entry in 2019.
The Porsche 919 Hybrid is a Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) dual hybrid racing car built and used by Porsche in the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Quick Facts
- Event
- 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Winning car
- Porsche 919 Hybrid (No. 2)
- Championship era
- WEC LMP1 Hybrid Finale
- Key drivers
- Timo Bernhard
- Earl Bamber
- Brendon Hartley
- Significance
- Final race for Porsche's factory LMP1 program
- Outcome
- Porsche 1-2 finish with a record-breaking lap
- Status
- Historic Conclusion of an Era
Lore & Background
After 2017, the 919 Hybrid project was discontinued as Porsche entered Formula E. An evolution of the car, called the 919 Evo, was demonstrated in 2018, setting multiple lap records as the overall lap record for the notorious Nordschleife.
Reader's Guide
The 919 Hybrid competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2014 to 2017, winning multiple drivers' and manufacturers' championships. Its final race was the 2017 6 Hours of Shanghai, where Porsche secured its third consecutive World Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships.
Did You Know?
- The 919 Hybrid was Porsche's first sports car prototype built since the RS Spyder debuted in 2005.
- The car was named the 919 Hybrid to acknowledge Porsche's embarkation into hybrid car technology and honor its tradition of similarly named vehicles at Le Mans.
- A total of nine chassis were built.
- The 919 Hybrid had two separate energy-recovery hybrid systems: one recovering thermal energy from exhaust gases and one converting kinetic energy under braking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 2019 Le Mans race known as the 'Final Race' for the Porsche 919?
This event marked the definitive end of Porsche's factory LMP1 program, concluding a six-year era of hybrid dominance after five consecutive championship wins. It served as a ceremonial farewell to one of motorsport's most successful prototypes rather than just another competitive battle.
Who were the drivers that secured victory in this final 919 race?
The winning #2 Porsche 919 Hybrid was driven by the trio of Timo Bernhard, Earl Bamber, and Brendon Hartley. Their performance ensured a perfect send-off for the team with a celebrated one-two finish at La Sarthe.
What specific record did the Porsche 919 set during its final appearance?
During this historic event, the car achieved a new lap record that still stands as a testament to its engineering excellence. This speed feat capped off the vehicle's legacy by proving it remained faster than any contemporary competitor on its last outing.
Why is the 2019 Le Mans considered more of a celebration than a standard race?
The atmosphere shifted from pure rivalry to honoring the engineers and drivers who redefined hybrid endurance racing over the previous half-decade. Fans and competitors alike treated the day as a tribute to the technological innovation that defined the WEC's premier class.
How did the 2019 result impact Porsche's legacy in endurance racing?
By finishing with a one-two sweep, Porsche cemented its status as the most successful manufacturer of the modern hybrid era. This victory provided an emotional and competitive closure to a chapter that fundamentally changed how high-performance cars are built.
More in Iconic Races & Moments
Elsewhere in 24 Hours of Le Mans
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced