Automotive
MTF reports on Chopard's continued partnership with Porsche Motorsport LMP1 team at the 2017 6 Hours of Silverstone, marking their fourth consecutive year as official timing partner. The post details the race results and Porsche's performance, alongside a review of Chopard's Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 watch editions.
On 16th April 2017, Chopard started its defence of the dark arts in World Endurance Championship as the official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport LMP1 team for the fourth consecutive year.
6H of Silverstone 2017 Podium
The two new Porsche 919 Hybrid cars driven by Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard (#2) and Nick Tandy, Neel Jani and Andre Lotterer (#1) opened the season at the Six Hours of Silverstone 2017.
2017 Porsche 919 Hybrid cars
As defending champions in both pilots' and constructors' categories, Porsche fought for victory on the famed ancient F1 racing circuit in the British Midlands.
Timo Bernhard, Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley in 2nd Place at Silverstone 2017
It was a solid start as the two Porsche 919 Hybrid racers achieved 2nd and 3rd place in the LMP1 race after a strong battle with Toyota.
In the constructors' championship, Porsche actually leads because Toyota could not get both cars to finish.
That's Endurance Racing for you......
Neel Jani, Andre Lotterer and Nick Tandy in 3rd Place at Silverstone 2017
Toyato driver, Sebastien Buemi was quoted saying Toyota's slender advantage over Porsche in Sunday's FIA World Endurance Championship opener at Silverstone has left the Japanese team "scared".
Buemi got P1, late in the Silverstone race, when his Toyota #8 car passed Brendon Hartley's Porsche #2; the winning margin was only 6.17secs. That is a only 0.03% of the 21,600secs duration of the race!
The high-downforce Toyotas were quickest in qualifying but Porsche were closer at race pace. Porsche #2 was close enough to the Toyota #8 in the last stage to emerge with an eight-second advantage when it only took fuel at the last pit-stop. Alas, on fresher tyres, the Toyota #8 car forced its way through at The Loop with 12 minutes to go.
"In a way, it scares us a little bit because we were expecting to be quite a bit quicker," Buemi said. "It was one of the only opportunities I would have because they (Porsche) were quicker on the straight, and Brendon was kind enough to leave just enough room!"
Chopard Timing
Porsche team principal Andreas Seidl said to get both 919 Hybrids on the podium felt "like a race win" as the Porsche low-drag cars were ill-suited to Silverstone.
Brendon Hartley said, "We can be happy to be only finish six seconds off, because we didn't have the right aero package for this race track".
Chopard have produced three editions of the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 watches so far:
2014: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition
2015: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition
2016: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition
2014: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition 
2015: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition 
2016: Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition
Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Black Edition Video
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx at Le Mans
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard said; "2016 has been amazing for the partnership between Chopard and Porsche Motorsport with incredible results. I had the chance to attend some of the WEC races and we are very proud to be part of the success of Porsche Motorsport in WEC as Official Timing Partner of the team.
Our company shares several values with Porsche such as the quest for performance, the passion for mechanical engineering and excellence. Both in car- and watch-making we all pay attention to the smallest details. We are ready to accompany Porsche Motorsport as official timing partner for a third season in WEC. We believe in the team for reiterating their outstanding series of victories in 2017."
2017 Porsche 919 Hybrid #1 car
Regards,
MTF
Here is my speedy contribution: Sometimes I do wish I could see the entire movement, but the little window is unique.
Calibre L.U.C 01.06-L
And I love to look at it.
Not only quick in a race car but great taste, too
And it was a truly fascinating race. Much more exciting than the F1 before, IMHO. Thanks for your great write-up, Melvyn!
At Silverstone 2017, Porsche suffered the agony of being 6.173 seconds behind Toyota after 21,600 seconds of racing because their aerodynamic settings were set on low downforce and their tyres were worn. Conversely, at 2016 Le Mans, Porsche had the ecstasy of outlasting Toyota over 86,400 seconds of racing when the Japanese car rolled to a halt on the last lap! Those are the rules in WEC racing; firstly, get to the finishing line......er....first. Firstly, Finish the Race Next, Use a good Timepi
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