PORSCHE BACK TO SPORTSCARS
Porsche is expected to come full circle. In 2017, a prospective Formula E programme tapped into the mid-emissions-scandal zeitgeist and got the nod. In turn, the development Formula 1 engine and pukka 919 Hybrid LMP1 efforts made way. Now, the testing of its forthcoming LMDH challenger – co-created with Multimatic and to be run by Penske – is running at full steam in preparation for a 2023 return to the Le Mans 24 Hours and competition in North America. This comes at a time when its interest in Formula E is believed to be cooling.
It took until the Mexico City E-prix in February of this year, its third season in the all-electric series, to chalk a first victory that wasn’t denied by technical infringements and penalties. While Stuttgart is already committed to the Gen3 Formula E era starting next term, it is toying with the decision to sign up for the full four-year cycle or instead seek an earlier exit. The series faces criticism from participants over the size of TV audiences, commercial appeal, and the limited capacity for technology transfer to road cars.
Elsewhere, the 911 RSR takes the longstanding partnership with Manthey Racing to form the
Porsche GT Team. It competes in the GTE Pro ranks of the World Endurance Championship, but only until the end of the year. Then Porsche will concentrate on LMDH, when other manufacturers are also reckoned to be absent. The Pro class will vanish in 2024 on the introduction of a new GT category based on GT3. With its works IMSA Sportscar Championship entry also pulled at the end of 2020, it will leave Porsche to be represented by privateer teams sporting its array of GT3, GT4 and more recent GT2 car creations.
Porsche customers represent the marque in the DTM, GT World Challenge Europe and European Le Mans Series most notably. Plus, it has the lucrative Porsche Supercup and other regional spec 911 and 718 Cayman series.
“PORSCHE’S INTEREST IN FORMULA E IS BELIEVED TO BE COOLING”