Porsche Penske Shifts Focus: Bidding Adieu to a Legendary WEC Chapter

The curtain closes on an enthralling chapter for Porsche Penske Motorsport as they conclude their FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) journey with a bittersweet farewell. Despite finishing the season finale in Bahrain in positions 13 and 14, the team celebrates remarkable milestones achieved over the years. This includes being the first to win a WEC race with an LMDh car, securing drivers’ titles, and establishing the Porsche 963 as a benchmark in the hyper-competitive arena of endurance racing.

Celebrating Unyielding Pursuits

Amidst the high-octane energy at the Bahrain circuit, the Porsche 963, driven by Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, delivered one last performance, even if not the dream ending Porsche had hoped for. As stated in Team Penske, the race wrapped up with Ferrari clinching the coveted title and Toyota taking the day’s victory, but not without Porsche making its indelible mark on the race.

Past Glories and Future Aspirations

Reflecting on the past three years, Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport, acknowledged the plethora of achievements: “Our Porsche 963 has also set the benchmark for LMDh race cars in the FIA WEC. Congratulations to our GT3 customer team Manthey on securing the championship titles.”

The journey with Penske leaves behind a legacy of three wins, 15 podiums, and countless memories that now guide their aspirations in the 2026 IMSA series. The team’s ventures into this new terrain signal not an end, but an evolution.

Manthey’s Remarkable Triumphs

In the LMGT3 category, Manthey 1st Phorm truly shone. Under the skilled hands of drivers like Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera, the Porsche 911 GT3 R rose from 18th to seize fourth place, clinching the FIA Endurance Trophy. This achievement underscores their firm grip on the LMGT3 category, marking them as formidable contenders with their second successive championship win.

Gratitude and Farewells

As the checkered flag waved, many involved in this incredible journey took a moment of gratitude. Urs Kuratle and Jonathan Diuguid echoed their appreciation for the partnerships and teamwork that fueled Porsche Penske’s pioneering triumphs.

“The entire team deserved better for our farewell…” reflected Mathieu Jaminet, symbolizing the collective hope for a fairytale conclusion to this beloved chapter.

Looking Ahead with Hope and Determination

While the end of Porsche Penske’s WEC tenure might feel bittersweet, the motorsport spirit burns bright as they pivot towards a promising future in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As the lights fade on Bahrain’s legendary circuit, Porsche confidently shifts gears, ready to embrace the ever-unfolding road ahead.