hree characters, one title: By finishing fifth at the 6 Hours of Bahrain, the three Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (34, Germany), Brendon Hartley (26, New Zealand) and Mark Webber (39, Australia) have won the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship drivers’ title. Each of them is a top athlete in his own right – together they have been unbeatable. Since the 2014 season they have shared a Porsche 919 Hybrid. In 16 races they achieved six pole positions and four race wins.
It is a varied trio: of them Timo is the most successful in endurance racing. A member of the Porsche family since 1999, he has won titles in all categories. Especially when the programme was in its infancy, it was up to him to guide the newcomers Brendon and Mark, who had just joined Porsche for the programme with the class one Le Mans prototype. Timo, Brendon and Mark have now won the first Drivers’ World Championship title in their careers.
Timo Bernhard: “Winning the FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Championship today is an exceptional moment for me and truly the icing on the cake. It was great seeing the team winning in Le Mans and clinching the one-two with our second place. The Manufacturers’ Championship for Porsche was another highlight for me. And now Brendon, Mark and myself even won the drivers’ title. I owe Porsche so much. It was Porsche who gave me the chance to be a professional racing driver. Together we have celebrated so many successes in different categories of motor racing. To secure the drivers’ title is incredible. I have Porsche in my heart, this is the brand I am living for. Today a dream has come true.”
Brendon Hartley: “I am very, very proud. My earliest memories are watching my father at the racetrack. I was six years old when I started racing go-karts and always dreamt of being a World Champion. I am extremely proud of sharing this moment with Mark, Timo and the entire Porsche Team. A big thanks to the guys at the computers behind the pits, the mechanics fixing the car in the box, the crew of car number 18, who did an incredible race to take the victory. And, of course, to Mark and Timo. We were all managing issues on the track. Every single person in the Porsche Team contributed to this. I will never forget this day, I am very proud!”
Mark Webber: “It’s the first World Championship for me – this feels beautiful. That’s not an easy thing to achieve, so to have won this title is very special. But to win it wearing a Porsche suit is even more special to me. The last time Porsche won this Championship was 29 years ago with Derek Bell.”
