Doonan: New GTP Brands Could Debut as Early as 2026

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA President John Doonan is “very hopeful” that the extension of the GTP class technical regulations through 2029 will result in additional manufacturer participation, suggesting that a 2026 debut for a new OEM in the top class is not out of the question.

Announced earlier this month at Le Mans, the FIA, ACO and IMSA have extended the LMDh and LMH ruleset for two additional seasons in the World Endurance Championship and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which has been largely met with positive reactions.

When asked by Sportscar365 if the extension will yield additional top-class manufacturers in the WeatherTech Championship, Doonan said: “We’re very hopeful based on what we’re hearing in and around the industry.

“There’s several potential new manufacturers.

“It’s always their news to break but it seems quite positive with several additional new ones that we haven’t thought about before, which is great.

“That’s what we want for the sport and it’s what we want for the fans. I’m really happy to at least get that going and we’ll see how it unfolds here.”

Doonan said he believes that new manufacturers could be ready in time for the 2026 season.

This slightly contradicts what McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown told reporters at Le Mans, indicating that a 2026 program would need to have already been rubber-stamped internally in order to be ready in time.

Doonan said: “Just based on my previous life (as Mazda’s motorsport director), I know it takes a while to develop a car. At the same time, you’ve got all four of the constructors have now done cars.

“My hope would be that the spine of which we all tried really hard to find simplicity and efficiencies — albeit they’re very technical cars — that potentially someone could test as early as ’25 and be ready for ’26.

“But that’s up to the OEM and their constructor partner. But I do think it’s possible.”

In addition to McLaren, Sportscar365 understands that Hyundai has re-entered talks in recent months, having had representation at Le Mans and held discussions with multiple IMSA GTP teams for a proposed factory LMDh program that would begin in 2026.

Doonan said the regulations extension will also benefit existing manufacturers that are committed to the LMDh platform.

“Our whole philosophy in pitching that was that you’ve got six [LMDh] manufacturers that have fully committed globally,” he said. “They now know that their investment can be leveraged longer.

“For me, it’s the right thing to do for the sport, stability-wise. And it’s [an] overall opportunity for some additional growth.”

LMH Cars Still Welcome Pending Certification Process

Doonan reiterated that cars built to the FIA and ACO’s LMH regulations could still be eligible to race in the WeatherTech Championship, even through the extended timeframe, granted the manufacturer completes IMSA’s required certification process and meets other criteria, such as becoming an IMSA manufacturer partner.

“We continue to be open of having some LMH cars come run with us,” he said. “The short answer is yes.

“They have to go through the process of Windshear and the things we agreed on the front end but there’s no parameters not to have that be the case through 2029 as well.”

The Heart of Racing Team-funded Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH, which will compete as a two-car team, as mandated in the WEC next year, has confirmed plans to run one example of the V12-powered car in the WeatherTech Championship, beginning with the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Newly crowned two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Ferrari, on the other hand, has no current plans to bring its 499P to the WeatherTech Championship, despite a push from longtime customer and partner Risi Competizione.

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