Porsche’s WEC Factory Exit Leaves 2026 963 Plans to Customers and Rulemakers
Porsche says customer racing continues, but acceptance of privateer 963s and Manthey GT3 entries rests with FIA and ACO.
Overview
- Porsche Penske will end its factory Hypercar program in the World Endurance Championship after the 2025 Bahrain finale, with its two-car 963 effort continuing in IMSA.
- Uncertainty over 2026 stems from WEC rules requiring a manufacturer to field two Hypercars, raising questions about whether customer-run 963s can race without a factory entry.
- Proton Competition is the only current Porsche 963 customer positioned for WEC, but it runs a single car and has not disclosed plans, and Porsche says it is not in talks with other WEC customers.
- Team Penske says a Le Mans return could be pursued via IMSA’s auto-invite if it wins the GTP title and if a 963 races in WEC, though key regulatory decisions remain unsettled.
- A €538,000 Hypercar manufacturer entry fee is a potential obstacle Porsche may discuss to support customers, and any LMGT3 entries from Manthey would still require FIA and ACO approval.