Porsche 963 to run Mobil 1 livery at Sebring race

Porsche confirms 963 cars will race in Mobil 1 livery at Sebring, marking 30 years with ExxonMobil. Explore details of the partnership and race context.

Porsche will field two 963 prototypes at the 12 Hours of Sebring in a special Mobil 1 livery, marking 30 years of partnership with ExxonMobil — a collaboration that extends from motorsport into production vehicles.

Both cars from Porsche Penske Motorsport feature a white base with blue and red accents, inspired by the 1996 Porsche 911 GT1. That year’s Le Mans race marked the beginning of the partnership: two GT1 entries finished second and third overall, followed by an agreement that included Mobil 1 as the factory-fill oil for all new Porsche cars worldwide.

Sebring provides a fitting backdrop. It is one of the oldest and most demanding endurance races, held on a 6.02-kilometre circuit that partly runs over a former military airfield. Concrete sections and pronounced bumps create extreme conditions, making it a true test of durability — an area shaped over decades of collaboration between Porsche and Mobil 1. Porsche remains the most successful manufacturer at Sebring with 19 overall victories.

The anniversary livery highlights more than heritage. Over the past three decades, Mobil 1 has contributed to the development of engine oils and cooling fluids used in both race cars and road models. Mobil 1 has been the factory-fill oil for more than one million Porsche vehicles, and joint innovations have supported projects such as the 919 Hybrid and the electric GT4 e-Performance, capable of delivering up to 800 kW.

The current Porsche 963 continues this approach. Built to LMDh regulations, it combines a 4.6-litre twin-turbo V8 with a hybrid system featuring an electric motor and battery, delivering a total output of around 500 kW. This configuration reflects the broader direction of endurance racing toward hybrid technology.

Porsche arrives at Sebring in strong form. The No. 7 crew — Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich — leads the IMSA championship after winning the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona, where Porsche secured its 21st overall victory. The No. 6 car sits fourth in the standings. Customer teams will also field Porsche 911 GT3 R entries in the GTD Pro and GTD classes.

In this context, the anniversary appearance carries both symbolic and competitive weight — linking a partnership that began at Le Mans in 1996 with a continued push for results at one of the toughest races of the season.