Dumas and Lieb ousted from Porsche LM P1 program

We mentioned it in issue 2088 of AUTOhebdo, dated November 9, Porsche confirmed this Friday: Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb, winners of 24 Hours of Le Mans and world champions WEC this season, with their teammate Neel Jani, will no longer be part of the German brand's LM P1 program in 2017.

Both drivers will still be under contract with the Zuffenhausen entity, with Lieb heading towards a program with customer teams. “I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had with Porsche over so many years, comments the German.

And I’m especially grateful to this family for supporting me through more than two decades of racing. It was difficult at times and I want to repay some of my debt. Moving into customer racing on an international level with Porsche as a Le Mans winner and world champion, that has incredible value for me. »

Romain Dumas' program has not been revealed, but the native of Alès, who will compete in the Dakar next January, will not remain inactive. “The last three years in LMP1 were at the highest professional level, specifies the Gardois.

Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche is a dream come true and I am proud of what we have achieved together over many years. I am a man of challenges and there will be a new one soon. »

Porsche should, as we indicated at the beginning of the month, register the arrival of André Lotterer from Audi. Winners at Le Mans in 2015 with Nico Hulkenberg, Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber should return to the 919 Hybrid full-time in 2017. The crews will be confirmed on December 3 at the German brand's Night of Champions.