Team Project 1 Withdraws No. 46 Porsche from Spa Event

Team Project 1 has withdrawn its No. 46 Porsche 911 RSR-19 from the Total 6 Hours of Spa following an accident during the official Prologue pre-season test on Monday.

The car sustained damage after Anders Buchardt crashed during the Monday afternoon session and did not return for any of Tuesday’s running at Spa-Francorchamps.

Project 1 team principal Axel Funke told Sportscar365 that the car will not be fit to take part in the rest of this week’s track action.

On Monday evening Funke said that the team was considering the introduction of a new chassis from Porsche, but has since confirmed that this route won’t be pursued.

“It was too complex to do with the time available,” he said. “We sat down with the drivers and looked at the options. In the end, it was the best decision for everyone.

“The weather this weekend is not looking too promising and it’s difficult to go back on this track with a new car.

“Anders was really looking forward to it and his mind was right in it, but it’s just sad that this experience had a rough shutdown.”

Project 1 is now set to shift its full attention to the No. 56 Porsche, which came away with the second-fastest GTE-Am lap of the test with Matteo Cairoli at the wheel.

Cairoli is teaming up with Riccardo Pera and 2018-19 WEC class champion Egidio Perfetti during the upcoming season, which represents Project 1’s third WEC campaign.