Luhr: Porsche Return “Like Coming Home”

Two-time Nürburgring 24 winner Lucas Luhr says he has enjoyed a seamless return to Porsche, ahead of his 15th appearance at the event with Frikadelli Racing. 

The 2011 FIA GT1 World Champion enjoyed great success with the brand in the past, winning the race in 2006 and 2011 for Manthey Racing before moving to BMW and finishing second in 2015.

Back behind the wheel of a Porsche for the first time since 2013, joining factory driver Michael Christensen, Norbert Siedler and Klaus Bachler, Luhr acknowledged that much has changed in the years he has been away, but has found the adaption process easier than expected.

Luhr finished an encouraging ninth on his second outing with the 911 GT3 R in the qualifying race.

“Obviously the car is still a 911 with the rear engine, but I drove the 997 and now it’s the 991 model, so lot of things have changed,” Luhr told Sportscar365.

“It’s still a typical 911, but you forget it how to drive with the weight in the rear, it’s very unique and it took some time to get used to it again, but after a while it feels like coming home.

“Now it’s back to you don’t even have to think about it anymore and it’s normal like I never drove anything else.”

The Michelin-shod Porsche teams have struggled to find grip from their customer tires in the hot temperatures at the Nürburgring this week, with Christensen the pick of the bunch in 27th after the second qualifying session.

However, Luhr is optimistic that the team will come into it’s own over 24 hours, particularly if the Eifel’s famously unpredictable microclimate makes an appearance.

“Sorted I don’t know, but I think it’s going to be okay – I am confident that we can make it work,” he said.

“I think we need to forget the competition, we need to focus on what we can do and make sure we do our job and then we see where we end up.

“At the end of the day you cannot wish for a win, you have to work for it and earn it.

“Anything is possible around here, even more than other 24 hour races like Spa or Le Mans just because the track is so unique, so long – I personally think it’s the most difficult race in the world.

“Everyone says the sun is shining all weekend, but I’m born and raised 30 kilometers away from here, so I wouldn’t put my money on that! There’s always a chance of a thunderstorm which can definitely spice things up.”

Although his future beyond the event is uncertain, Luhr explained that he is not giving it too much thought and will consider his options after the race.

“I have some ideas, but at the moment we are just focused here on this event and then we go from there,” he added.