La Carrera Panamericana 2025 was a vibrant celebration of cars, heritage, and passion, marked by the presence of Porsche racing legend Timo Bernhard. The German endurance champion, known for victories at Le Mans and the Nürburgring, joined Porsche as a guest driver, piloting a 911 GT3 with Mexican co-driver Patrice Spitalier.
His participation in the 75th anniversary edition honored pioneers like Hans Herrmann, who led Porsche’s first official entry in 1954 with the 550 Spyder, and Herbert Linge, whose mechanical brilliance earned him Mexico’s Order of Merit. Figures such as Huschke von Hanstein and Karl Kling also helped cement Porsche’s international reputation in the 1950s.
Timo Bernhard comments
“I know from Porsche’s history that ‘La Carrera’ was a major race featuring exceptional Porsche drivers, including German legends Hans Hermann and Herbert Linge, who were heroes of their time. I personally love rallying and have achieved several overall victories in Germany. This time, however, I was not focused on competition or results, but rather on showcasing Porsche’s legacy and fascinating heritage to those spectating.” The race’s influence endures not only in competition but also through model names like the 911 Carrera and Panamera. Bernhard’s role this year reaffirmed Porsche’s link between past and present.
Grueling Adventure
Initially run from 1950 to 1954, La Carrera Panamericana (aka Mexican Road Race) was one of the world’s most challenging and most thrilling road races, helping shape Porsche’s reputation for endurance and precision. Revived in 1988 as a historic rally, the 2025 edition—with Bernhard at the wheel—highlighted the event’s enduring global allure and its ability to attract motorsport greats across generations.
Timo Bernhard: an undisputed Porsche legend
Over the course of more than two decades as an official Porsche factory driver, Timo Bernhard built a name as one of the most complete, consistent, and charismatic racers of his generation.
“My first contact with Porsche Motorsport happened in January 1999 when I was invited to the UPS Porsche Junior Selection. In the end, I was one of two drivers to be chosen. I was by far the youngest – I wasn’t even 18 in my first test on track. Porsche showed great patience and built me up steadily, allowing me to make my own mistakes. It led to a great success story with more than 20 years as a factory driver. I believe the gratitude I felt played a role in forging my strong bond with the Porsche brand. In total, it’s been 26 years so far, and we’re still going strong.”
Bernhard’s name is inseparably linked to Porsche’s most significant endurance racing triumphs. His career has included two FIA World Endurance Championship titles (2015 and 2017), victory at Le Mans in 2017 with the Porsche 919 Hybrid, and five wins at the Nürburgring. Combined with victories at Daytona, Sebring, and multiple American Le Mans Series championships, Bernhard has achieved the prestigious ‘triple crown’ of endurance racing, establishing him as something of a benchmark in the world of motorsport.
With a precise driving technique and great strategic vision, Bernhard has been integral to Porsche’s technological evolution across its racing programs, from GT cars to cutting-edge hybrid prototypes.
Victories in Mexico in 2016 and 2017
Bernhard’s relationship with Mexico was consolidated in 2016 and 2017 during the 6 Hours of Mexico, an official round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). At the helm of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, Bernhard – along with teammates Brendon Hartley and Mark Webber in 2016, and with Earl Bamber replacing Webber the following year – claimed consecutive victories at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. These triumphs strengthened Porsche’s position in the Manufacturers’ standings and played a key part in the brand securing the title in both seasons. But the success in Mexico City not only enriched Bernhard’s sporting CV – it also helped to forge a special bond with fans in the region. This connection has undoubtedly been renewed thanks to the past weekend’s 2025 Carrera Panamericana.
“I have great memories of Mexico … and a 100 per cent win rate there!” Bernhard recalls with a smile. “I raced twice at the Hermanos Rodriguez track and won both times with my teammates and the 919 Hybrid. I discovered Mexico as a country with an incredible passion for motorsport. I’ve often mentioned how the Porsche fans threw a party for us right there at the track after the race. It was truly a magical atmosphere.”
Porsche and La Carrera Panamericana: a shared legacy
Since the 1950s, Porsche and La Carrera Panamericana have shared a journey of tradition, innovation, and passion. The Mexican competition provided the stage where the first Porsche 550 models earned their place in international motorsport history by outperforming more powerful rivals.
Above contents © 2025 Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee
