Porsche expands factory GT3 programmes for 2019 Blancpain GT, IGTC

The German manufacturer will field two line-ups of works drivers in both the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and the Intercontinental GT Challenge rather than the single-car entries of 2018.

The Porsche programmes with the second-generation 991-shape 911 GT3-R will be mounted in conjunction with customer teams instead of the full-factory Manthey Racing squad, which masterminded its BGTS and IGTC campaigns this year.

Porsche director of factory GT motorsport Pascal Zurlinden explained that the change in strategy reflected the arrival of the new car, of which 45 have been sold already.

"GT3 is about customer racing, so we want to work closely with partner teams," he told Autosport.

"Last year it was important to show that Porsche could be competitive, but now we will be well represented with the new car all over the world."

Zurlinden revealed that Porsche would be linking up with two separate teams for the five-round BGTS, which includes the Spa 24 Hours IGTS fixture.

He said that he could not reveal their identities because the deals were "not signed yet".

"For the IGTC the plan is to use local teams on each of the five continents, though we might use an Asian team in Australia for the Bathurst 12 Hours for example," he said.

There will be common Porsche driver line-ups across the BGTS and the IGTC, which is increasing to five rounds in 2019 with the addition of the Kyalami 9 Hours in South Africa.

Le Mans 24 Hours winner Romain Dumas, Sven Muller and Mathieu Jaminet will be teamed together, while the second entry will be driven by Dirk Werner, Matt Campbell and Dennis Olsen.

Porsche will also defend its Nurburgring 24 Hours crown with the Manthey team and a pair of the latest 911 GT3-Rs next June.

The winning line-up of Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, Frederic Makowiecki and Richard Lietz will remain together for the 2019 race.

Michael Christensen will drive the second car alongside Laurens Vanthoor, Earl Bamber and Kevin Estre in place of Dumas.

Porsche will also loan factory drivers to customer teams for the June 22/23 event on the Nordschleife.