Porsche has confirmed that it has decided to withdraw its two IMSA-based entries from this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans amidst cost-cutting measures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to RACER, the decision is is understood to have been prompted by the need to reduce the cost of running at the event amid COVID-19 restrictions. This has brought the number of entries in the GTE Pro category down from 11 to 9.
The two entries, run by CORE Autosport, were supposed to feature the trio of Nick Tandy, Earl Bamber and Matt Campbell for the #93 Porsche 911 RSR-19, while the #94 car was supposed to be piloted by an all-French lineup of Patrick Pilet, Mathieu Jaminet and Julien Andlauer. It is currently unclear if all six drivers will see involvement in the French endurance classic elsewhere.
Porsche’s two FIA WEC full-time entries remain on the entry list. Reigning champions and 2018 class winners Kevin Estre and Michael Christensen once again team up with Laurens Vanthoor in the #92 car, while Gianmaria Bruni and Richard Lietz are joined on board the #91 car by Fred Makowiecki.
This marks the second and third withdrawal for the postponed 88th edition of the French endurance classic after the Garage 56 entry for SRT41 Racing Team was withdrawn previously. It opens up the grid for three reserve entries. The #55 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GTE Evo, entered into the GTE Am category, is currently first reserve. Second reserve is understood to be held by ByKolles and their #4 CLM P1/01-Gibson followed by a second LMP2 entry for IDEC Sport in third.
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