The World Endurance Championship has called Porsche's announcement that it will exit the series as an LMP1 manufacturer "precipitous" and said the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) regretted the "abruptness of the decision".
Porsche confirmed on Friday that it would cancel its LMP1 programme to instead focus on a new Formula E venture, joining the all-electric racing series in Season 6 – the same season Mercedes will join, bolstering the grid which will include at least six manufacturer teams.
In a statement, the WEC and ACO insisted its status hasn't been threatened by the depature of Porsche and Audi, leaving Toyota as the sole LMP1 manufacturer, and said it would "immediately set to work to put forward to everyone involved in endurance racing the outline of the 2018 season" which it promises to be "quite exceptional thanks to the introduction of new innovations".
The statement added: "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."
It's expected that the LMP1 manufacturers' standings will now be downgraded to cup status, with WEC boss Gerard Neveu previously stating that the series needed a minimum of two manufacturer LMP1 teams to qualify for full world championship status.
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