The awards are justified, as Porsche “changed public perceptions about hybrids by introducing fresh technology to a new area of motorsport and showing how it could be incorporated into a race vehicle that has much in common with a road car. Rather than learning to live with the compromises [of] a hybrid system, Armbruster and his team found ways to derive unexpected benefits from the installation,” according to the judges.
“Porsche is proud to receive these awards. We worked hard to make this unique and innovative concept work. The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is our race laboratory – we learned much about this new technology at the Nürburgring 24 Hours; then made some big steps forward on the way to the 1,000km race in Zhuhai,” team leader, Dr Daniel Armbruster said when receiving the DesignEngineer of the Year prize for his great contribution.
Porsche’s use of the Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) KERS technology was seen by the judges as “a correct and innovative move to finally demonstrate this expensive development from Formula 1 in the wider sport.” Ian Foley, managing director of WHP said he was very proud of the success the program had in showing that the flywheel technology used was strong enough for the harshest of racing environments. The revolutionary electromechanical composite flywheel was the winner of Powertrain Innovation of the Year award later that night.
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