The upcoming IMSA round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will be headlined by several throwback liveries throughout the grid, and Porsche Penske Motorsport is no exception.
Both of the program’s factory Porsche 963 machines will be running a throwback Apple Computer livery as part of celebrating 75 years of Porsche Motorsport and 50 years of Apple. Both cars will run a livery that pays homage to a customer Porsche 935 K3 that contested major events throughout the 1980 season, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Porsche, going back to 1980 when a Porsche race car first carried the Apple logo,” Oliver Schusser, Vice President Apple Music, Sports and Beats, said.
“That moment marked the beginning of a shared passion for innovation and creativity that continues to define our collaboration today. As Apple celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re proud to once again partner with Porsche on a design that pays tribute to that original 1980 livery.”
The 1980 Porsche 935 K3
Photo by: Porsche Motorsport
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport added, “What began with the debut of the Porsche 911 at the 1963 IAA Motor Show is mirrored by the Apple Computer: both are icons that stand for innovation and continuous development by experts in Zuffenhausen, Weissach and Cupertino. This is particularly true of Porsche Motorsport, where innovations have been created since 1951 under the highest competitive demands.”
A Porsche race car first carried Apple colors back in the 1980 season, when Dick Barbour Racing entered an appropriately liveried 935 K3, including an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was at that same venue that Porsche Motorsport’s success story began in 1951 with a class victory for the 356 SL.
The significance of running the throwback livery at Laguna Seca is because the iconic track in northern California is roughly 80 miles from Apple’s global company headquarters, Apple Park. Additionally, the historic circuit hosted the last four Porsche Rennsport Reunions, the largest ticketed gathering of Porsche enthusiasts in the world. At its seventh edition in 2023, Porsche unveiled the limited track racer Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport at this venue.
The Porsche Penske Motorsport throwback livery for Laguna Seca, 2026
Photo by: Porsche Motorsport
The round at Laguna Seca will be contested over two hours and 40 minutes on Sunday, May 3. The #7 Porsche 963, which won both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring earlier this season, will feature its full-time lineup of Julien Andlauer and Felipe Nasr, with Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor in the #6 sister car.
“The Laguna Seca circuit suits both our team and our car extremely well,” Urs Kuratle, Head of Works Motorsport LMDh said
“Last year, we achieved a one-two finish there and further underlined the status of the Porsche 963 as the most successful car built to LMDh regulations. In the beginning of April, a two-day test at Laguna Seca provided us with valuable data that will help us fine-tune our hybrid prototypes for the upcoming race weekend.”
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