The 2018 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup will be the basis for the majority of Porsche’s promised ‘Farewell Tour’ for the triple WEC Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours winning Porsche 919 Hybrid.

DSC has learned that Porsche will utilise a number of ex-racing chassis, specially equipped with the lighting required for Safety Car duties.

Porsche Supercup in 2018 supports the F1 Grand Prix calendar at nine different events giving Porsche the opportunity to showcase the 919 to a huge global audience. The car is set to be driven by a roster of different Porsche affiliated drivers throughout the season including Mark Webber, Patrick Dempsey, Nico Hulkenberg and ex Porsche IndyCar driver Teo Fabi.

An early proposal for the 919 to perform a full speed demonstration lap before taking up its position at the head of the Supercup field was, DSC believes, rejected by Formula One chiefs, though it is not clear whether this was on the grounds of timetable congestion, or an unwillingness to show F1 crowds how close a much heavier sportscar can manage to current F1 pace.

Plans were afoot too for Porsche to take on pace car duties with the 919 in support of their forthcoming Formula E programme but unfortunately the gearing of the 919 means that bespoke gearbox for that programme would have been required, first gear in the 919 comprehensively outpacing the current Formula E cars.

The move is set to be unveiled officially by Porsche in the coming days, Porsche Motorsport’s 919 Farewell programme spokesman Hans de Weiss telling DSC yesterday:

“We are, as promised, set to announce an excellent programme of events for the 919 to celebrate its racing achievements and to demonstrate its technical capabilities. “We have no comment to make whatsoever ahead of that announcement.”

Image courtesy of Daniel Hounsell

DSC Ed: This was, of course, part of DSC’s April 1st offering this year!