WEC: Porsche legend Derek Bell keen to test 919 Hybrid

WEC: Porsche legend Derek Bell keen to test 919 Hybrid

Le Mans/WEC

WEC: Porsche legend Derek Bell keen to test 919 Hybrid

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Le Mans legend Derek Bell has added his name to nearly every iconic Porsche prototype since the Briton was introduced to the marque in 1971, and he’d like to place one more on the list. His wins in the Porsche 917, La Sarthe victories in the 936, 956, and 962, experience in the 908/3, 934, 935, and modern outings in a GT-1 make for an incredible CV.

And, with so much history viewed from inside a Porsche cockpit, Bell says he’d welcome the chance to complete his 44-year-long journey by sampling the brand’s newest prototype, the 2015 Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid (TOP).

“I’ve thought about all of the Porsches I’ve raced throughout my career, dating back to the 917, and I believe it would be fitting to close the chapter by testing the 919,” Bell told RACER. “Having survived an incredibly fast and dangerous era, to then move on to the 936 and win Le Mans, and win again with the Porsche factory in the 956, the 962, and championships we earned in Europe and in America with Al Holbert’s team, and all of the other incredible Porsches I’ve been so fortune to drive, I can’t help but think how marvelous it would be to drive the latest Porsche prototype. There are very few of us who can say we raced almost every significant prototype Porsche has made.”

If Bell had his choice, he’d love to drive the 919 Hybrid and share tales of the other iconic Porsche racecars he drove for the German brand.

“I think there could be a wonderful all-round story of all the Porsches I’ve raced, culminating in driving the 919,” he added. “Nobody’s had that length of a career with a marque like Porsche. I certainly don’t need the publicity, but I do think it would make for a hell of a video.”

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