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911 RSR drivers in line for 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid seats

You may have seen a glimpse of Porsche’s new Le Mans challenger, the 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 racer, last Friday when we posted the first photo of the car on track via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

While still powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged V4 engine from last year’s car (along with the twin energy recovery systems and electric motor on the front axle), this year’s 919 Hybrid is, both aesthetically and mechanically, a huge step away from the 2014 car.

The black test livery gives us some hope that there may a new colour scheme for the factory Porsche racing cars this season (something more iconic than the ‘Intelligent Performance’ design sported last year on both the 919 and the 991 RSR).

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Alongside last year’s two-car line-up, Porsche will enter a third 919 Hybrid at Le Mans. F1 star, Nico Hülkenberg has already been named as the first driver and, after a number of tests, it looks like Porsche will be promoting at least one of its GT driver to the LMP1 ranks.

Nick Tandy, Frédéric Makowiecki and Michael Christensen have all tested the car multiple times and Total 911 understands that the works squad is close to naming Hülkenberg’s two teammates after further testing was carried out this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Highlighting the strength of Weissach’s 991 RSR racers, the Porsche LMP1 programme already has a GT driver in its ranks. Marc Lieb (the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE-Pro class winner) is one of the original six drivers who were signed for the 919 Hybrid’s inaugural season in 2014.

Check out more photos below and, for all the latest Porsche race and rally news, check out our dedicated motorsport section now.

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