P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Now Porsche has announced its WEC Hypercar exit, attention turns to whether it will be on the grid next year at the Le Mans 24 Hours – a race it so desperately wants to win
Just a few weeks ago, everything changed as Porsche confirmed the end of its World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme. The burning question now is whether Porsche 963s will still grace the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours grid.
On paper, the possibility exists, especially if Porsche Penske Motorsport secures an invite by winning the IMSA title they hold. However, the situation is not as straightforward as it seems.
The first question lingers: Will there be Porsche 963s in the 2026 WEC? While they will compete in IMSA, the WEC scenario is different.
Complications arise due to the revised WEC sporting regulations that now require manufacturers to enter two cars. Proton Competition, though not a manufacturer, faces uncertainty in continuing with a single 963.
Proton Competition’s future hinges on potential support from Porsche for spare parts and driver backing. Could this collaboration be the key to Porsche’s continued presence in the WEC in a cost-effective manner?
With a Le Mans invitation potentially at hand for Porsche Penske Motorsport, the spotlight shifts to whether Porsche will seize the opportunity. Regulations mandate entering two cars in the WEC, a factor that influenced past decisions in the motorsport realm.
