Whoopsy:

Come to think of it, I think he knew what he was doing on the front straight, switching over to Sports Hybrid mode from Hot Lap mode. It might takes 100hp to help charge the battery but he gains the use of the 285hp from both electric motors. 

So instead of using only the 608hp gas engine when the battery runs dry, he runs a 500hp gas motor plus the 285 from the electric. Still down 100 from max power but better than using gas only.

 

Porsche probably has more experience, and thus more data collection, on the 'Ring than any other automaker, and as a consequence, excels in Nurburgring modeling and simulation work.  Porsche knows what the 918 is capable of running, under different atmospheric conditions, well before a tire turned in anger.  Much like the IAA in Frankfurt this week, the Nurburgring represents another pissing match between the automakers.  Porsche is working hard to make McLaren expose its hand on the P1.  

I remain mystified by the bang or pop that occurs at the 49 second mark in the video you posted.  Notice that after the pop, flames appear under the car, almost as if a waste gate was activated; however, the V8 is normally aspirated and the exhaust is routed to the upper section of the engine cover.  This raises the question: Has Porsche released all the details of the technologies embodied in the 918?