Nissan cans LMP1 project after disastrous Le Mans 24 Hours

A statement from the Japanese manufacturer stated that it had been concluded that the GT-R LM NISMO programme "would not be able to reach its ambitions".

It stated that it had "worked diligently to bring the vehicle up to the desired performance level".

The latest decision follows its withdrawal from the second half of this year's WEC in the wake of the front-wheel-drive GT-R LM's disastrous debut in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Nissan initially pulled out of the Nurburgring, Austin and Fuji races before opting to miss the final two races as well after further testing.

It stressed at that time, however, that the programme would continue in 2016.

Project architect Darren Cox made his own decision to leave Nissan as motorsport boss in October, a decision motivated by his loss of control of the LMP1 programme.

NISSAN'S LMP1 RECORD:
Races started: 1 (Le Mans)
Best qualifying: 30th
Best result: 43rd (not classified)
Points scored: 0

LE MANS IN NUMBERS:
Gap to lead LMP1 in qualifying: 20.108s
Fastest race lap: 3m35.888s
Compared to fastest lap of the race: 18.413s slower

WHAT AUTOSPORT WROTE IN AUGUST
Gary Watkins in the aftermath of its race withdrawal earlier in 2015

The GT-R LM cannot race this season in the form in which it was conceived: it has been homologated in the two-megajoule hybrid class, rather than the planned 8MJ division, and that's where it has to stay until next season.

Much more important than anything Nissan might achieve on the race track in the WEC this season is the development programme going on behind the scenes to allow the GT-R LM to run as intended.

If the concept can be made to work, then the Nissan will gain seconds by the bucketload; if it can't, I would suggest the GT-R LM programme as we know it will kick the bucket.