Looking ahead: April Porsche motorsport preview

The motorsport calendar is now well under way, with the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, World Endurance Championship and Formula E having kicked off their calendars. Heading into April, the WEC hosts its second round, this time in Italy, with Formula E heading for the Adriatic coast at Misano. IMSA will also head to the Beach, while the DTM hosts its season opener at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Here’s a full preview of all the Porsche motorsport activities taking place in April:

WEC: 6 Hours of Imola

The World Endurance Championship returns for its second round of the calendar at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. The iconic circuit takes the place of Monza on this year’s calendar while the northern Italian circuit undergoes extensive renovations. The 6 Hours of Imola takes place on April 21, and Porsche Penske Motorsport will be hoping for another strong outing as it continues its second WEC campaign. Porsche heads into the second round of eight leading the Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship, while the #6 crew of André Lotterer, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor top the drivers’ standings. The manufacturer took a podium sweep at Lusail International Circuit, with the #6 car claiming overall victory while its sister #5 car finished third. The #12 Hertz Team JOTA crew also leads the FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams, having finished second overall in Qatar, while the #92 Manthey PureRxcing entry leads the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams standings after taking a class win at the season opener.

IMSA: Grand Prix of Long Beach

The IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship continues its season in California, taking in Long Beach Street Circuit on April 20 for its third round of 12. The 100-minute race takes place on the 3.167 km (1.968 mile) circuit in downtown Long Beach and is one of the championship’s most prestigious and long-running events. Porsche leads the manufacturers’ standings, with the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport crew top of the teams’ championship, having won the 24 Hours of Daytona and finished third last time out at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The #6 car is currently fourth overall. Porsche Penske Motorsport took overall victory at the event last year with the #6 car driven by Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy, and will be hoping to replicate that success this season.

Formula E: Misano Adriatico ePrix, Monaco ePrix

April sees Formula E return for two events, with the double header Misano Adriatico ePrix on April 13 and 14, followed by the Monaco round two weeks later. Heading first to the Adriatic coast, the all-electric championship will host two races back-to-back at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli as rounds six and seven of the season. It is the championship’s second double header of the year after the pair of races in Diriyah in January. Round 8 sees the championship return to the streets of Monte Carlo, an iconic setting to mark the halfway point of the season. Ever a fan favourite, Formula E’s visit to Monaco comes just under a month before Formula 1 heads to the principality. The Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team currently sits second in the teams’ standings, while Pascal Wehrlein is second in the drivers’ championship, just four points off the lead. He won the season opener in Mexico City having also taken pole, and also lined up at the front for the last round in Sao Paulo.

DTM: Motorsport Arena Oschersleben

The DTM kicks off its year from April 26 to 28 at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. With a 16-race calendar and seven manufacturers, the series celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. Manthey will return to defend its teams’ title with two Porsche 911 GT3 R, having made its series debut in 2023. Reigning champion and Porsche works driver Thomas Preining will drive the #91 car, with Ayhancan Güven in the #90 for his first outing with the team. Preining is contesting his third DTM series, having taken eight podium finishes and three wins last season. Güven takes part in his second campaign, having scored points in eight races in 2023. With the switch to FIA GT3 vehicles in the DTM, Porsche has been represented in the racing series with its customer teams since 2022.

Esports: Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup Finale, Monza

The Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup reaches its climax this month, with the seventh and final round of the series taking place at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza. One of the most important one-make cups for seasoned professionals and talented youngsters, 30 drivers are taking part in this year’s campaign, which has already taken in six circuits including Daytona International Speedway, the Hockenheimring GP circuit and a mid-season tournament at Watkins Glen. With two 14 lap races, contested with the virtual 911 GT3 Cup on the iRacing platform, 30 drivers will battle it out to round off season six in a double-header at the northern Italian circuit, most famed for hosting Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix. Unlike the other rounds (bar the Watkins Glen tournament), there will be no sprint race in Monza. Instead, it will be replaced by a second main race with the corresponding allocation of points. Sebastian Job currently leads the standings with 343, having taken three wins, with Diogo C. Pinto running second on 318, competing for their share of a $200,000 prize pool.