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At Porsche’s annual ‘Night Of Champions’ motorsport celebratory bash held earlier today at the automaker’s R&D center in Weissach, Germany, the name of the new Le Mans prototype that will see the Porsche marque return to top-level endurance racing after 16 years was finally announced. Porsche’s new Le Mans prototype will be known as the ’919 hybrid’, which means it succeeds both the 917 race car that gave Porsche its first overall Le Mans victory back in 1970 as well as the latest 918 Spyder production model.

“The vehicle name 919 hybrid follows on from the tradition of the Le Mans-winning 917, but it is also with a view to the 918 Spyder, and acknowledges the company’s embarkation into the hybrid future,” Porsche R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz said in a statement. “Maximum efficiency in energy consumption is the directive of the new WEC regulations for the works-entered class 1 prototypes–and that is also the direction for the automobile future.”

The “WEC” Hatz is referring to is the World Endurance Championship, which Porsche will compete in next year (in the top LMP1 category) and whose highlight is the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche last ran in the top category in Le Mans back in 1998 where it was the most successful team. Porsche actually made its return to Le Mans last year, where it was also successful, though in the lesser GTE category.

No other details on the 919 hybrid were revealed but recently Porsche said the car’s drivetrain consists of a four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection and two energy recovery systems. Recovered energy is stored in a battery until retrieved by the driver, whereby the energy is directed to a powerful electric motor that provides additional drive to the front axle.

Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Audi, which won this year’s WEC and Le Mans titles, will utilize a TDI diesel engine for the hybrid system in its own 2014 R18 LMP1. Another top contender, Toyota, is yet to reveal details on its 2014 LMP1 but is expected to stick with a gasoline engine.

Porsche also used today’s event to name the full six-man squad that will drive two of the 919 hybrids in next year’s WEC. They are Brendon Hartley, Marc Lieb, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Mark Webber.

One final revelation at Porsche’s Night Of Champions event was the automaker’s new majority holding in German racing team Manthey Racing, which has helped run Porsche’s various factory teams in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Porsche now has 51 percent of the shares in Manthey Racing

So I guess you guys are pretty stoked about the tumors, then

But seeing how meticulous Porsche have been in every other aspect in building up their program, one would think they have been very rational when picking drivers. Some of Audi's driver choices have been "odd" too, Bonanomi and di Grassi for example, but they haven't been out of their depth their. It is way too early to call it a waste of seat, but is probably a calculated risk.

In looking back at the year that’s coming to an end, Montezemolo mentioned the important achievements in the GT Championships. “Once again this year, we have had great results in the world of GT racing. I wish to congratulate Amato Ferrari and his AF Corse team: Ferrari winning a championship with a Ferrari is a nice happenstance. I think everyone at Corse Cliente, the drivers and especially the new World Champion, Gimmi Bruni.

Continued development in the GT world and the technology transfer to road cars has always been an integral part of our activity. We have won with the 458 GTE, but I also quite like the idea of racing at Le Mans in the highest category: who knows, maybe one day we can return and win, say thanks and come home. Maybe we should give it some serious consideration...

My husband has officially announced that he is hanging up his helmet and will no longer race at the level he is at now. He feels it is time to move on, he has achieved what he wanted to do and now believes it is time to concentrate on the next stage of his career and life.

When he first told me I did heave a sigh of relief and at that moment realised that sometimes it was a bit hard for me to see him doing what he does best. On the other side when I watched him race it has been pretty special to sit with a quiet pride knowing that he was one of the best, cleverest racing drivers in the world.

I have been along with him for the ride for the past 15 or so years, I have gained a few wrinkles after a few hairy moments but we have met lots of fab people, seen lots of things and learnt loads along the way. Always grateful that this path brought us to Monaco where I have to say I love living and appreciate the nice life we have here.

Allan will still be super busy – he will be commentating, guiding young drivers and instructing me how to load the dishwasher. I think his work schedule for next year is similar to this year so, my friends, you will still all be my company when he is away.

I couldn’t be prouder of him but I do wonder what he will want to do for adrenalin kicks now…..

My Scotsman has been released.