It was reported that Porsche was considering an exit from the WEC and it has now been confirmed, in favour of a switch to Formula E.
Porsche will leave LMP1 at the end of this season, a big blow for the WEC after Audi’s exit last year, and plans a Formula E works outfit in season six.
The news follows on from Mercedes’ recent announcement that it will also join FE in the 2019/2020 season, leaving the DTM series.
Porsche’s motorsport division will continue with international GT racing and with the 911 RSR in the GTE classes of the WEC, but will be waving goodbye to LMP1.
It comes after a huge amount of success for Porsche over the last few seasons, clinching the 2015 and 2016 drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles and winning the last three Le Mans 24 Hours – taking its overall tally to 19.
Porsche’s decision comes as the company sets out targets of launching its first range of electric road cars, following on from the Mission E concept, in the near future.
It now casts a big shadow over LMP1, with Toyota seemingly continuing, but already admitting that it would review involvement if Porsche leaves.
Michael Steiner, member of Porsche’s board for research and development, said:
“Entering FE and achieving success in this category are the logical outcomes of our Mission E road car programme. The growing freedom for in-house technology developments makes FE attractive to us.
“For us, FE is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency and sustainability.”
Are you excited for Porsche in Formula E or would you rather they stuck with LMP1? Leave a comment below.
