Porsche will leave IMSA at the end of 2020

The effects of the crisis linked to the Coronavirus pandemic are already being felt on the sporting programs of several automobile manufacturers. If Renault came to reassure everyone by confirming its presence in F1 beyond the current season, others are scaling back.

This is the case of Porsche, a brand omnipresent on circuits in the four corners of the planet and which has already made official recently the withdrawal of the two “American” 911 RSRs from the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Like the other branches of the brand, the motorsport section agrees to make efforts and this will unfortunately involve a withdrawal of theIMSA SportsCar Championship at the end of the 2020 campaign, which will end on November 14, with the 68th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

« The decision to cease our official involvement in IMSA was not easy for us, admits Fritz Enzinger, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. But in view of the company's current situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, it makes sense for Porsche Motorsport to make its contribution to the measures taken to stem the economic repercussions. We have discussed this withdrawal with all parties concerned and we would like to thank Jim France and his teams at IMSA for their understanding. »

Yes, it's true. Porsche will pull the plug on our GTLM program in IMSA at the end of this year. No words can describe how this feels. Over the years we build up such a strong team of people. This was always my dream program to do.. It's such a shame that this had to end. pic.twitter.com/e5O72bkqBd

— Laurens Vanthoor (@VanthoorLaurens) June 4, 2020

It should be noted that this withdrawal does not call into question the study currently carried out by the teams of Pascal Zürlinden – responsible for the brand's factory programs – on a possible return to the premier category of theEndurance, with a car meeting LMDh regulations. The support provided to teams competing in GT or the Michelin Pilot Challenge will also not be affected.

As a reminder, Porsche won the Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles in GTLM last year in IMSA. Crowns that the German firm intends to keep just to finish in style. Resumption of hostilities on July 3 and 4 at the Daytona International Speedway.