Laurens Vanthoor Eyes IMSA Future Amid Porsche’s Withdrawal from WEC
Laurens Vanthoor has voiced interest in transitioning to the IMSA series following Porsche’s unexpected pullout from the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class. Despite the allure of IMSA, Vanthoor, who partnered with Porsche at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, acknowledges a strong desire to compete for victory at this prestigious race—one that still eludes him.
Porsche’s withdrawal from the Hypercar class after three seasons has raised questions regarding its LMDh driver lineup. With the manufacturer electing to focus on the IMSA GTP division, it will reduce its full-time driver slots from eight in 2023 to just four by 2026. Already, reigning champion Mathieu Jaminet has departed Porsche Penske Motorsport (PPM) to join Genesis’ WEC program, leaving ambiguity around the positioning of the remaining drivers.
While there is a remote possibility for Porsche to enter the WEC’s upper echelon in 2024 with customer support, teams like Proton Competition have indicated economic constraints that may preclude the operation of two 963s, which is a requirement for competitive entry.
Vanthoor, who has previously served as an additional driver at PPM, expressed his enthusiasm for the GTP category, though he highlighted the difficulties of leaving Le Mans behind. “I will also miss not being in Le Mans, although there’s still a chance,” he told Motorsport.com, emphasizing his commitment to Porsche with a contract for the 963.
In his recent stint with IMSA, Vanthoor achieved significant success, contributing to Porsche’s first Hypercar victory at the 2024 Qatar 1812km and clinching the drivers’ title alongside Kevin Estre and Andre Lotterer. Following this, he commenced his 2025 campaign with a remarkable win at both the Daytona 24 Hours and the Sebring 12 Hours, alongside teammates Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr.
Before stepping into prototypes, Vanthoor had an accomplished career in GT racing with Porsche and Audi, securing victories at renowned endurance events such as the Spa 24 Hours and Nurburgring 24 Hours.
As the motorsports landscape shifts, Vanthoor’s future within IMSA remains uncertain but promising, offering him the chance to continue showcasing his talent in a rapidly evolving competitive environment.
