Porsche Confirms GTE-Pro Return, Provisional Lineup Revealed

Photo: John Dagys

As expected, Porsche will return to the FIA World Endurance Championship with a two-car factory effort in GTE-Pro alongside its previously confirmed pair of new Porsche 919 Hybrids, which will battle for overall honors next year.

Additionally, the German manufacturer confirmed Saturday evening its provisional driver lineup for its assault on the production-based ranks.

Patrick Pilet, Fred Makowiecki, Richard Lietz and Michael Christensen are currently listed as full-season drivers for the Porsche Team Manthey effort, although the lineup could change should one of those drivers step up to the third LMP1 entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Porsche tested Makowiecki, Christensen and Nick Tandy in a 919 Hybrid for a second time last week, as it works to finalize the final two drivers who will share the car alongside Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg at Le Mans.

Both Makowiecki and Pilet are confirmed to take part in next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona in Porsche North America-entered Porsche 911 RSRs, although its full-season TUDOR United SportsCar Championship lineup has also yet to be confirmed.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John