Former NISMO boss Darren Cox examines the state of play of sports cars with Nick Trott and Jack Phillips.

Plus, he looks back on the GTR-LM LMP1 project, and ahead to the future of esports. 

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And as promised, the WEC’s releases:

WEC statement on the departure of Porsche

The manufacturer Porsche, which recently confirmed its participation in the FIA LMP1-H World Endurance Championship up to the end of the 2018 season, and which has been actively involved in the development of the technical regulations that will come into force in 2020, has just announced the withdrawal of its LMP1 hybrids from the end of the 2017 season.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest, promoter of the WEC and organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, regrets this precipitous departure, as it does the abruptness of the decision from one of endurance racing’s most successful and lauded manufacturers.

However, the ACO and the FIA, guardians of the existence and quality of the FIA World Endurance championship, have immediately set to work to put forward to everyone involved in endurance racing the outline of the 2018 season – a season which promises to be quite exceptional thanks to the introduction of new innovations.

Clearly, the reduction of costs and stability, but also inventiveness and audacity, will be vital in making it possible to stage an increasingly spectacular and attractive championship with the sport of endurance racing at the forefront.

This unprecedented 2018 World Championship will, without doubt, excite and enthuse competitors, partners and fans of endurance racing alike. 

We look forward to seeing you in Mexico City on September 2 and 3 for the next WEC event when further information will be given.

Peugeot

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has learned of Peugeot’s decision to intensify its programme in a series other than endurance. We can only accept it and fix an appointment with them in the years to come to prove to them the interest of our branch of motor sport, and the validity of the direction taken in endurance in the areas of cost capping and technology, which other manufacturers and other teams working alongside us will prove to them. We’re pursuing our strategy built around an accessible blue-riband category with budgets that are much smaller than those required in recent years: these grew exponentially as was very often the case in the past because of the involvement of several manufacturers. We’ll adapt ourselves to this natural cycle in endurance and take appropriate action. More than ever our approach is constructive, and we’re actively engaged in boosting the appeal of endurance in a changing global context.”