Porsche customer team Manthey will field a third entry during this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans while helping promote Brad Pitt’s new blockbuster movie.
According to a press release, the No. 90 911 GT3 R will wear a livery taken from the film “F1.” It will have a blue livery bearing the name Chip Hart Racing. This represesnts a fictional team Brad Pitt’s character drives for in the film, which releases on June 25.
Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, controls the Chip Hart Racing entry during the prestigious 24 hours of Daytona. He wins the race — and the Rolex watch — before returning to Formula 1 with the APXGP team.
Instead of Hayes, however, the 24 Hours of Le Mans entry will feature a different group of drivers. Antares Au (Hong Kong), Austrian Klaus Bachler, and Dutchman Loek Hartog will control the No. 90 911 GT3 R. This trio earned their spot in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by winning the Asian Le Mans Series.
The other entries from Porsche and Manthey include the No. 85 Porsche 911 GT3 R and the No. 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Both compete full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The No. 85 Porsche features the only all-female team, the Iron Dames. This group includes Sarah Bovy, Célia Martin, and Rahel Frey behind the wheel.
The No. 92 is the Manthey 1st Phorm team featuring Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz, and Riccardo Pera behind the wheel.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans entry only continues the ‘F1’ promotion
Apple Original Films and Warner Bros. Pictures have gone all out to promote Pitt’s new film, which crews filmed during actual grands prix and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
The efforts have included selling an estimated $40 million worth of sponsorship. Companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, Mercedes-Benz, Geico, EA Sports, IWC Watches, and Expensify all joined in.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz released a limited run of 52 cars themed after the movie. The GT 63 “APXGP Edition” featured numerous special touches based on the movie. This includes Race Gold accents in several areas, a fixed wing, numbered badges, and embroidered floor mats.
One of the most interesting promotion efforts involved the latest trailer. Apple released a new look at “F1” built specifically for the iPhone. This trailer used the haptic feedback to make the phone vibrate in time with engines revving, hearts beating, and seatbelts clicking.