The ACO and the WEC regret “the hasty departure” of Porsche

After Audi at the end of 2016, it will therefore be Porsche which will completely reorient its Motorsport program leaving the LM P1 category in WEC to move towards Formula e. An announcement which logically caused the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, promoter and organizer of the WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans, this Friday.

“The manufacturer Porsche, which until recently confirmed its participation in the FIA ​​LMP1-H Manufacturers' World Endurance Championship until the end of the 2018 season, and had actively participated in the development of the technical regulations to enter in force in 2020, has just announced its withdrawal from LMP1-H at the end of this 2017 season, indicates the press release.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, promoter of the WEC, regrets this hasty departure, as well as the brutality of this decision on the part of this manufacturer crowned with the finest laurels of theEndurance »

Looking to the future

Despite this new hard blow for the championship after the loss of the pillar Audi at the end of last season against a backdrop of dieselgate, the ACO and WEC wish to remain positive and look forward to the next season ahead.

“However, the ACO and the FIA, guarantors of the existence and quality of the championship, have set to work without delay to propose, in the coming weeks to all those involved in Endurance, the outlines of the season 2018 which will be quite exceptional with its new features.

Very clearly, cost reduction, stability but also innovation and audacity will be there to offer an ever more spectacular and attractive championship where sport and endurance will be at the forefront. This unique 2018 World Championship will undoubtedly be sure to excite all the competitors in the paddock, partners and endurance fans. »

See you at the beginning of September in Mexico, with " more information " which will be given on occasion during the next campaign. The ACO has already indicated that three world championship titles would be at stake, even with fewer than two manufacturers entered in 2018.

A Drivers' title, for which LMP1 and LMP2 drivers are eligible, and GT Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles will be awarded, but no longer the LM P1 Manufacturers' crown. It also remains to be seen what the reaction will be Toyota, which could be the only manufacturer officially entered in the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LM P1 in 2018.