2019 Porsche 919 Final Race
Porsche's championship-winning LMP1 hybrid that conquered Le Mans and set records before its factory program ended after 2017.
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. After 2017, the 919 Hybrid project was discontinued as Porsche entered Formula E.
- Event
- 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Winning Car
- Porsche 919 Hybrid (No. 2)
- Championship Era
- WEC Hypercar / 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
The car was named the 919 Hybrid to acknowledge Porsche's embarkation into hybrid car technology and honor its tradition of having similarly named vehicles compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was Porsche's first sports car prototype built since the RS Spyder debuted in 2005, and the first prototype Porsche constructed to compete in the top category of sports car racing since the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1-98 and Porsche LMP1-98. A total of nine chassis were built.
In Their Own Story
The sun dipped below the grandstands, casting long shadows over Mulsanne Straight as the No. 2 Porsche glided past the timing loop. Inside the cockpit, Brendon Hartley felt the familiar hum of the hybrid system, a sound that had become the soundtrack to his career. There was no tension in the air, only a profound sense of gratitude. As he navigated the final sector before the pits, he knew this car would never race again. It wasn't just metal and carbon fiber; it was a monument to human ingenuity.
Reader's Guide
The 919 Hybrid has a two-litre 90-degree V4 mid-mounted mono-turbocharged petrol engine that produces 500 hp and acts as a chassis load-bearing member, with two separate energy-recovery hybrid systems. In 2014 it was placed in the 6 MJ class; in 2015 it was categorized into the 8 MJ category. The car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 and 2017, and its drivers won the World Endurance Drivers' Championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017. An evolution called the 919 Evo was demonstrated in 2018, setting multiple lap records including the overall lap record for the Nordschleife.
Did You Know?
- The 919 Hybrid was shown to the press for the first time on 4 March 2014 during the Geneva Motor Show.
- In 2015, Earl Bamber, Nico Hülkenberg and Nick Tandy won the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving a third 919 Hybrid.
- In 2017, Bamber, Bernhard, and Hartley recovered from a 13-lap deficit to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The car's engine is a two-litre 90-degree V4 with a single Garrett-designed turbocharger.
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.
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