Porsche “Confident” It Will Continue IMSA, WEC Programs

Photo: Porsche

Porsche LMDh factory director Urs Kuratle is “confident” the German manufacturer will continue its works efforts in both the Hypercar and GTP classes of the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year.

Kuratle’s comments come amid ongoing paddock rumors, including indictions that Team Penske had, at least initial discussions with Ford for the Blue Oval’s 2027 WEC Hypercar operation, although Kuratle reaffirmed that Penske’s contract with Porsche is “good” for next year in both series.

There has also been speculation on a potential altered WeatherTech Championship effort for Porsche amid budget scrutiny, something that is understood to also be impacting fellow German LMDh manufacturer BMW in North America, but to a larger degree with the Munich-based brand.

While Porsche’s factory involvement in Hypercar and GTP has been earmarked through at least the end of the 2027 seasons, Kuratle clarified that final confirmation on the makeup of next year’s programs has not been officially signed off.

Porsche Penske currently leads the WeatherTech Championship GTP standings following a dominant start to the season, with wins in the first four races, while the team has also scored podiums in WEC competition, including its best-ever result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, of second, last month.

“Like every year, that’s a normal procedure to prove the reach, how much do we spend? How much do we get back from the whole thing?” Kuratle told Sportscar365 during last weekend’s 6 Hours of Sao Paulo WEC round.

“Basically we have both programs saved until the end of 2027, but still we have to prove every year if it makes sense. The final decision has not yet been made about this.

“But we are confident that we will continue next year as we are running now. It’s not finally confirmed but we are confident that we will continue like this.”

An expansion to a third full-time factory Porsche 963 in the WEC, which has been evaluated on an annual basis, however, appears to be off the cards for 2026.

“That’s another thing and [it would be] contrary to the talks to maybe spare some money from the whole thing,” he said.

“That’s a matter of how much money we can generate. That’s also something we are proving. But that’s rather unlikely at this point that we would have a third car in the WEC.

“Once again it’s something we’re evaluating every year, but for this it’s quite late in the year already and that’s unlikely it would happen next year.”

Kuratle pointed to the fact that a third car, similar to AF Corse’s satellite Ferrari 499P that won this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, would likely be eligible for only a single season, due to the arrival of Ford and McLaren in 2027 that will result in a capacity Hypercar grid and no space for third cars or privateers.

“For 2027, it will not be possible anymore, which is one thing if you’re trying to evaluate it, you have to carefully think if it makes sense to increase the infrastructure, the personnel and everything for one year only,” he said.

“That’s part of the discussion and that’s why I say it’s quite unlikely to see a third works 963 next year.”

Additional Porsche 963 Customer in IMSA “A Possibility” for Next Year

Kuratle confirmed Porsche is in talks with a team that could possibly campaign a customer 963 in the WeatherTech Championship next year, in addition to the existing privateer efforts from JDC-Miller Motorsports and Proton Competition.

“If there is any interest, it is in the U.S. in the IMSA championship, that’s true,” he said. “We’re talking to some people. But there’s nothing finalized or nothing set yet.

“There’s a possibility we’ll see a new customer to the 963. But nothing is set yet.”

JDC-Miller is known to be working to field its second 963 next year, although Kuratle said the new prospect would be ‘somebody in addition to’ the Minnesota-based squad.

Sportscar365 understands the possible new GTP team is an existing Porsche customer.

When asked if that team currently fields a Porsche 911 GT3 R, Kuratle said: “that’s possibly true, yes.”

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