Porsche to Withdraw from FIA WEC Hypercar Class After 2025 Season
Porsche has confirmed its exit from the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class following the 2025 season, amid ongoing financial challenges affecting its motorsports programs. Despite the withdrawal from the WEC, Porsche will maintain its presence in IMSA’s GTP category and continue competing in Formula E.
Dr. Michael Steiner, member of the Porsche AG Executive Board, expressed regret over the decision, emphasizing the impact of current circumstances on the manufacturer’s future in the WEC. Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, reiterated the brand’s commitment to using motorsport as a platform for technological development, focusing on future successes in North America and Formula E.
Porsche’s factory team, partnered with Penske Racing, entered the FIA WEC in 2023, achieving three overall victories and securing the FIA WEC Drivers’ Championship in 2024 with drivers Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Andre Lotterer. The team’s #6 crew remains in title contention as they approach the season finale in Bahrain next month.
Reflecting on the program’s impending end, Vanthoor stated, “It’s tough to accept, especially after everything we’ve built and achieved. I’m grateful for the experience. For now, let’s go out with a bang in Bahrain!”
Porsche’s decision impacts the future of customer team Proton Competition, which currently fields a single 963 and would need to expand to two vehicles by 2026 due to new regulations. If Proton decides to exit, Porsche’s ability to compete for the overall win at Le Mans could be jeopardized despite potential invitations from IMSA results.
The announcement further intensifies the ongoing driver transfer activity within the WEC, as uncertainty around Porsche’s lineup influences potential moves across various teams. Meanwhile, Porsche’s Manthey-run LMGT3 program remains unaffected, allowing participation without a Hypercar entry.
This withdrawal marks the VAG group’s third departure from Hypercar, following previous exits by Audi and Lamborghini. Audi shifted focus to Formula One, while Lamborghini concluded its single-car entry after the introduction of new regulations.
Porsche’s decision to leave the Hypercar class signals significant shifts within the endurance racing landscape as teams assess their strategies ahead of the 2026 season.
