Porsche abandons The Mans to Formula E

AFP

AFP

Friday, 28 July, 2017 04:55

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Friday, 28 July, 2017 04:55

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PARIS – The manufacturer Porsche announced on Friday that he was going to leave by the end of 2017, the premier class of the world endurance Championship (WEC), LMP1, to engage in Formula Electric starting the season 2019.

The decision of Porsche is not a surprise, it was even widely expected, especially after the withdrawal of Audi, another subsidiary of the Volkswagen group, the LMP1 before the start of the current season.

It is part of the new strategy and the realignment of the program of a sport car of Porsche”, said the release of the firm of Stuttgart.

This choice to remove the 919 Hybrid leaves Toyota as the only manufacturer of LMP1, thus calling obviously into question the sustainability of the premier class of endurance.

The potential arrival of other participants of weight in LMP1 as Peugeot, is not expected before at least 2020.

In a press release the Automobile Club de l’ouest (ACO), the promoter of the WEC, says regret “this hasty departure, as the brutality of this decision on the part of the constructor crowned the most beautiful laurel of Endurance”.

Read also: What is lacking in the Formula E

Porsche has won 19 victories at the 24 Hours of le Mans, the flagship event of the WEC, including the edition 2017 in June of last year.

The German automaker does, however, specify in its press release that it will continue to engage of the 911 in the GT category of the WEC.

On Monday, another German manufacturer renowned Mercedes, announced that he was going to leave the German championship for touring cars, the DTM, at the end of 2018 for him to also get involved in Formula E during the season 2019.

BMW and Audi, who will participate in the Formula E as the stables are full for next season, are also discussing a withdrawal from the DTM, which would result in de facto his disappearance.