The development program for the next iteration of the successful Porsche 911 GT3 R customer racing car is advancing with a significant endurance test scheduled at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on April 19–20. This pivotal test will be conducted in collaboration with the experienced Herberth Motorsport team during the “Michelin 12H Spa-Francorchamps” event, organized by the Creventic 24H Series. This split-format race will see five hours of competition on Saturday, followed by the remaining seven hours on Sunday, providing ample track time for crucial data acquisition and feedback.
Behind the wheel of the No. 91 test car, an updated version of the current Porsche 911 GT3 R, will be a trio of accomplished German drivers: former Porsche Junior and reigning IMSA GTD Pro Champion Laurin Heinrich, alongside seasoned endurance racers Ralf Bohn and Alfred Renauer. Herberth Motorsport, the fielding team, brings a wealth of experience in long-distance racing, making them an ideal partner for this critical development phase.
Advanced Driveability at the Core: The primary focus of this evolutionary step for the Porsche 911 GT3 R is the enhancement of drivability for the 2026 racing season. Porsche engineers in Weissach have implemented modifications to aerodynamic components with the aim of reducing pitch sensitivity, thereby improving the car’s front-end behavior during both braking and acceleration. Furthermore, significant software updates have been integrated, and the steering system has undergone refinement to provide drivers with improved feel and control. More detailed technical specifications of the evolved Porsche 911 GT3 R will be revealed at a later date.
Sebastian Golz, Project Manager Porsche 911 GT3 R, emphasizes the importance of this test environment: “The Creventic Series offers the ideal environment for such an important test. The competition features numerous privateer teams racing at a high level, there’s a lot of track time, and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit poses a formidable challenge for both drivers and machines. As a long-time Porsche customer team, Herberth Motorsport can provide valuable feedback on vehicle handling, serviceability, ergonomics, and operational functions. We’re also eager to hear the drivers’ impressions.”
The next-generation GT3 contender builds upon a platform that has already achieved significant success since the beginning of the 2023 season. The current Porsche 911 GT3 R has secured notable victories, including the LMGT3 class win at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA Endurance Trophy in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), clean sweeps of all GTD Pro titles in the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Porsche’s inaugural DTM title, and the manufacturers’ title in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Most recently, the customer team AO Racing piloted the up to 416 kW (565 PS) machine to a class victory in the GTD Pro category at the 12 Hours of Sebring in the USA.
Summary:
- Porsche is developing the next generation of the 911 GT3 R customer race car.
- A crucial 12-hour endurance test will take place at Spa-Francorchamps on April 19-20.
- Herberth Motorsport will field the updated GT3 race car with drivers Laurin Heinrich, Ralf Bohn, and Alfred Renauer.
- The development focuses on enhancing drivability through aerodynamic and software modifications, as well as steering system refinements.
- The current Porsche 911 GT3 R has achieved numerous victories since 2023, including Le Mans, WEC, IMSA, DTM, and Intercontinental GT Challenge titles.
Disclaimer: This article provides information based on the press release regarding the development testing of the Porsche 911 GT3 R. No specific performance figures or final specifications for the new model have been released at this time.
Source: Porsche
AI Assistance: Gemini
