Proton Competitors has admitted that it doesn’t have the funds to increase to a two-car Hypercar operation within the World Endurance Championship, casting doubts over whether or not the Porsche 963 would stay on the grid in 2026.
Final month, Porsche introduced that it might withdraw its manufacturing unit Penske group from Hypercar subsequent yr to focus totally on its extra profitable GTP programme within the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s exit additionally has issues for its buyer Proton, which has been working a single 963 on a buyer foundation for the reason that second half of the 2023 WEC season.
The WEC’s present laws require every producer to discipline not less than two vehicles within the Hypercar class with a view to be eligible for an entry. Within the absence of the manufacturing unit group and lack of curiosity from different Porsche prospects, Proton could be required to ramp up its operation and enter a second 963 to proceed racing in Hypercar subsequent yr.
Whereas Proton proprietor Christian Ried insisted that no resolution has been made about 2026, he conceded that his family-run squad doesn’t have the required funding to function two LMDh prototypes in WEC.
“For positive, we would like two Fords, LMP2s in ELMS and a few GTs. However after we discuss hypercars, nothing is determined,” Ried informed Motorsport.com.
“[Adding a second car], it is not likely double [the cost], however it’s near double and we merely do not have the funds to run two vehicles.”
#5 Proton Competitors Porsche 963: Neel Jani, Nico Varrone, Nico Pino
Picture by: Artwork Fleischmann
Proton has a second 963 chassis, which it entered for the complete 2024 season within the IMSA SportsCar Championship, earlier than downscaling the programme to only the Endurance Cup occasions this season.
Requested if Proton plans on contesting IMSA’s GTP class subsequent yr, Ried stated: “So now we have two vehicles and we see what we will do. Possibly we do nothing and simply deal with the opposite programmes.”
Proton loved a protracted and profitable partnership with Porsche in GT ranks, however it switched to the brand new Ford Mustang GT3 final yr firstly of WEC’s new LMGT3 period.
The group has already scored a podium in 2025, with Stefano Gattuso, Giammarco Levorato and Dennis Olsen ending second on the Spa 6 Hours on the wheel of the #88 Ford Mustang.
The German squad may even profit from the brand new Evo improve Ford is introducing to the Mustang GT3 in 2026.
“On the finish, it was the proper step to take after the tip of GTE to [take] the following stage, and we did.” Ried added. “We see what’s subsequent, however there is no such thing as a rush on our facet.
“For positive, we deal with the Ford programme, which is essential with the Evo [upgrade]. I feel the corporate took an enormous step. And the hypercar, if it occurs, it occurs. If not, not.”
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