Porsche previews 2023 Le Mans racer

Porsche has begun teasing its new racing prototype that it hopes will take victory at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race.

Built to meet the new cost-efficient LMDh regulations, Porsche has confirmed it has already recruited veteran racers Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr to develop the car for the 2023 season.

Despite the camouflage, the first set of images show off the Porsche Le Mans entrant's new complex rear wing, huge diffuser and full-width LED light bar that will act as a brake light.

Not to be confused with the equally new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) series in which Toyota, Peugeot and Glickenhaus will compete, the LMDh regs require all entrants to build their race cars on a chassis supplied by one of four suppliers.

Strict rules also govern how much downforce the racer can generate, but manufacturers are allowed to fit bespoke bodies in an effort to link the prototypes to their road-going offerings.

All LMDh racers must also run a hybrid powertrain with limitation on electric motor power output. Total power is also capped at 500kW.

Capable of racing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) that includes the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race, the same racers are also eligible to compete in the American IMSA championship.

The latter US series will see famous US racing operation Team Penske field the new works Porsches.

Penske Porsche Motorsport will also run an extensive test program for the LMDh racer that begins next month.

Thanks to its cost caps, the new LMDh series has already been heralded as a success by attracting Audi, Honda's Acura brand, BMW and Ferrari, as well as Porsche, for its inaugural 2023 season.