Porsche Announces Shock LMP1 Exit In Favour Of Formula E
With electric cars becoming more and more common on the roads, Formula E is starting to become a much more relevant and popular series - at least for manufacturers’ development goals.
Recently, Mercedes announced it will bring its long stint in the DTM series to an end to set up a Formula E factory outfit ready for season six of Formula E.
Porsche is now doing the same thing. Yep, after several years of huge success in the FIA WEC – including two drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles and three Le Mans wins – it is waving goodbye to LMP1.
It isn’t leaving the WEC altogether, with the motorsport division continuing with international GT racing and the 911 RSR project in the series’ GTE classes.
But, it’s officially pulling out of LMP1 at the end of this season, in order to start an FE factory team for season six in 2019/2020.
It makes sense for Porsche, having announced targets of launching its first range of electric road cars with its Porsche Strategy 2025 - following on from its Mission E concept.
It’s a big blow for the WEC, following Audi’s exit last year, with Toyota set to be the only manufacturer in LMP1 next season – although Toyota said it’d review its involvement if Porsche left. Worrying times for LMP1.
So, not good at all, but meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum, Formula E is obviously pretty pleased – having lured a number of big manufacturers to it.
Season six is shaping up very nicely for FE, then, with Mercedes and Porsche joining. Audi’s also upping its involvement for next season.
Michael Steiner, member of Porsche’s board for research and development, said:
“Entering FE and achieving success in this category are the logical outcomes of our Mission E road car programme. The growing freedom for in-house technology developments makes FE attractive to us.
“For us, FE is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency and sustainability.”
So, big news for Formula E, which continues to pick up big names. But the future of LMP1 in the WEC is certainly at risk.
Comments
Mercedes Audi BMW and now porsche to be on Formula E
Because a German manufacturer that isn’t in Formula E is too mainstream
LMP-1 Team left. Formula E-VERYONE.
Already wrote a short article about that yesterday 😝
I wanna ask , mclaren is there in formula E
Is this due to the petrol ban?
I really wouldn’t be surprised. The govt’s announcement will have no doubt forced a lot of manufacturers to rethink the focus of their R&D departments.
Seeing as Formula E is the only fully electric race series, it’s the only option that car makers can see in terms of developing the technology for the road.
In an ideal world, I’d like to see electric vehicles cropping up in more varied disciplines, such as an all-electric class in the WEC (to develop the range and endurance of batteries) and may be even electric touring cars. That way, I think the development of the technology will be far more relevant to the road cars that people will actually end up buying.
Oh no… more money for the RSR perhaps?
Porsche asked Audi to come back to Le Mans with that video they made, and then decided to leave LMP1 too. Sad and ironic…
They realised that audi will not go back, so they followed Audi
Atleast toyota has a chance at winning
I would be surprised if Toyota continues… LMP1 is a dead category
Its a sad time for motorsport fans 😟 i really enjoyed watching WEC races , now it wont be the same.
Formula E killed motorsports so fast
Merc also left dtm for this…
Like wtf, a german brand leaving dtm, that is like the most german mototrsport…
I’m not sure it has ‘killed’ motorsports, it’s only the fact that Formula E has developed so quickly that it’s attracting big names. Bear in mind that compared to other forms of motorsport, FE is only a baby. Other disciplines have been around for donkeys and arguably, have run their course in terms of growth and development.
The recent news of ‘banning’ conventionally fuelled cars will only act as a catalyst. Mark my words, more and more manufacturers will be looking to Formula E as a source of development.
How did it kill motorsport? Formula E is a motorsport aswell, hell it’s better than any other. For many reasons, but I won’t list them, becouse you are not interested.
And Audi