Manor commits to LMP1 World Endurance future with Ginetta racer

Manor has been confirmed as the first privateer team to run the new Ginetta LMP1 car in the World Endurance Championship next year.

The team first entered the category in the LMP2 division last season and is now graduating to the top-tier of the series. It could run as many as two cars in LMP1 as well as retaining a presence in LMP2.

Manor had been strongly linked to working with Ginetta ever since the British firm announced it was building an LMP1 car at the start of the year. It is yet to specify which engines it will run.

“We are very happy to be entering the LMP1 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship,” said Manor team principal John Booth.

“We have been learning this championship for the last two years and we are confident that the time is now right for us to step up to the LMP1 category.

“We have known the people at Ginetta for many years and we believe that, working together, we will be able to develop a competitive LMP1 package.”

Team sporting director Graeme Lowdon added that the team is in talks with drivers to field an all-pro line-up in the WEC 2018/19 superseason.

The Ginetta LMP1 car will be revealed at the Autosport International Show in January.

● The Dragonspeed squad has announced it will compete in LMP1 next year. The team won the LMP2 title in the European Le Mans Series this year but has yet to announce what car it will run. One car it won’t be able to enter is the planned Perrinn LMP1 machine as the company has now shelved the project in favour of building a new electric sportscar.