Porsche has announced that its LMP1 program will now run to the end of the 2018 season, following a decision from the board of Porsche AG to extend the program.
“Motorsport is an important part of Porsche’s brand identity – but not an end in itself,” said Matthias Müller, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG. “Racing has got to help the technology of future road going sports cars. It was the revolutionary efficiency regulations that convinced us to return to top-level motorsport for the 2014 season. That we have managed to take the crown jewels of endurance racing in only our second year, with a one-two result in Le Mans in 2015 with our highly innovative and complex 919, is an outstanding testimony to the people in the Weissach research and development centre. The competition bears fruits and we see further potential for future synergy between the racing and road car programmes. This is why we have extended the programme.”
The news comes off the back of a healthy start to the 2015 WEC season, which has seen Porsche take pole position at the three rounds to date, a one-two finish at this year’s Le Mans 24h, and a comfortable lead in the 2015 standings.
“Back in 2012 we began in Weissach with a handful of people, literally a white sheet of paper, high expectations and a strong amount of courage,” added Fritz Enzinger, vice president LMP1. “I’m very proud of this team of 230 employees and I’m pleased for each of them that from now on we can plan securely for three more world championship seasons and Le Mans entries.”
