From the archives to the asphalt: The Porsche LMP 2000's second chance.
Porsche brought back a legend last year by reactivating the Porsche LMP 2000, a race car that was meant to compete at Le Mans a quarter of a century ago but never did. After a roll-out, Porsche shelved the project, often citing financial constraints. But was money really the reason, or were there other factors?
The Porsche LMP 2000 never raced!
Official accounts say Porsche couldn't afford the LMP 2000 back then. The 1998 "9R3" project was canceled by the board in August 1999. However, the developers were allowed to complete the car, including a roll-out on the Porsche test track. On November 2, 1999, Bob Wollek drove the car's first meters, followed by Allan McNish the next day for several laps on the 2.88 km test track.
November 2, 1999, Bob Wollek did the first run!
After just 78 kilometers, the Porsche LMP 2000 was stored away. 2024 Porsche did resume "testing" the car — exactly 25 years after its initial roll-out. Once again, Allan McNish took the wheel, joined by Timo Bernhard, the 2017 Le Mans winner with Porsche's 919 Hybrid. Extensive footage of the 900 kg carbon-fiber prototype is available on Porsche's YouTube channel.
Could the Porsche LMP 2000 have won?
Speculation, of course. But let's try. Porsche won Le Mans in 1998 with the 911 GT1. However, the ACO event organizers were shifting focus to open prototypes. Audi began developing their LMP program in 1997 and officially joined in mid-1998. Porsche, working on the LMP 2000 simultaneously, faced Volkswagen Group's financial dominance.
The Audi R8 joins Le Mans in 1999. A year later Audi did a 1-2-3 finish.
In 1999, Porsche stayed on the sidelines. Audi debuted impressively, finishing third. BMW won with the V12 LMR, powered by a production-derived engine. Porsche likely analyzed the race closely—Audi and Toyota ran 3.6-liter turbo V8s, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz used naturally aspirated engines. Mercedes was eliminated due to their infamous crashes.
1999 marked the turning point!
BMW's win in 1999 partly came from Toyota's misfortune. Two cars crashed, while a puncture denied a third the win, finishing second instead. Audi performed well, securing third and fourth with Joest Racing, a Porsche affiliate. A year later, Joest secured Audi's first Le Mans win—achieving a 1-2-3 finish. By then, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Nissan had exited Le Mans. Porsche also abandoned the LMP 2000, and newcomer Cadillac failed with the Northstar LMP, finishing 21st and 22nd after repair-heavy stints.
Turbo or naturally aspirated? Audi or Porsche?
The 2000 results likely convinced Porsche to mothball the LMP 2000. Audi's turbo concept proved superior. In Ian Bamsey's "Bentley at Le Mans" Audi engine chief Ulrich Baretzky praises the turbo's efficiency—smaller, lighter, and lower friction.
The Cadillac was't able to beat Audi
Success at Le Mans hinges on engine efficiency, where turbo power has the edge. Given Porsche's experience with turbo engines in 1999, it's clear they knew this. So, the LMP 2000 would have struggled against the Audi R8. It might have worked in 1998 or 1999, but by 2000, a new era had begun—making Porsche's withdrawal understandable.
Picture credits: Porsche (2x), Archiv Wiedl / Jack Webster (1x), Cadillac (1x)