Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Porsche LMP1 exit 'leaves a huge hole' in racing – Andre Lotterer

Porsche LMP1 driver Andre Lotterer says the German marque's decision to leave the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship "leaves a huge hole" in motorsport

Following weeks of speculation, Porsche announced on Friday morning it had pulled the plug on its successful LMP1 hybrid programme, which yielded two WEC titles and three straight Le Mans 24 Hour wins.

Lotterer went through a similar situation at the end of 2016 when his former employer Audi pulled out of the WEC to focus on a works Formula E programme, which Porsche will now do as well.

"For me it's sad to experience that two years in a row," Lotterer said at the Spa 24 Hours.

"I obviously had the situation last year with Audi and made the choice to come to Porsche to continue racing in this category.

"It's pretty sad for motorsport in general, because it leaves a huge hole.

"I feel fortunate I could be part of it."

Porsche announced all of its current LMP1 drivers will remain under contract, but it remains to be seen in which capacity.

With its newly-announced Formula E project aiming to be on the grid at the start of its sixth season in 2019, race seats will be limited to its various GT programmes until then.

Lotterer, who has been critical of Formula E in the past, is warming to the idea of joining the electric championship.

"I'm open to new challenges," he said. "There's no point in hanging onto something that's not there anymore.

"At the beginning people who were used to traditional motorsport were not very impressed, but I don't think you can compare. It's not fair.

"It seems it has a really good future.

"Once they start putting in newer technology with more performance it will be interesting on that type of circuits.

"They have really good drivers in it, so it would be nice to challenge them."

Porsche stablemate Timo Bernhard was the first man to ever drive the Porsche 919 Hybrid. Last month the German took the car's final Le Mans win with Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber.

"It's been a great honour to be part of this programme since day one, seeing from scratch how it developed," said Bernhard, whose #2 entry leads the WEC championship by 30 points.

"Formula E is overall a very promising championship.

"For me, the most important thing to stay with the brand.

"I will stay with Porsche for sure. [In terms of] the programme, we will have to see what's going to happen."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Toyota president 'disappointed' Porsche will quit LMP1 division
Next article The real problems caused by Porsche's shock exit

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe