--- title: "Porsche Kills WEC Hypercar Program but Stays in IMSA" date: "2025-10-07" modified: "2025-10-07" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/porsche-kills-wec-hypercar-program-but-stays-in-imsa" categories: - "IMSA" - "News" - "Racing" - "WEC" --- # Porsche Kills WEC Hypercar Program but Stays in IMSA ![Porsche Penske Motorsport #5 drivers Julien Andlauer (FRA) and Michael Christensen (DEN) participate in the 6 Hours of Fuji, round seven of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship at Fuji Speedway in Japan. (Photo by Wan Mikhail Roslan/NurPhoto)]() *\Wan Mikhail Roslan via Getty\* [Porsche]() announced Tuesday morning that it will pull the plug on its factory Hypercar program in the FIA [World Endurance Championship]() at the end of this season. The move follows a board-level review of the automaker's motorsport programs, taking into account the current global financial climate, including tariffs, [declining sales, EV adoption](), and a plan to reduce workforce by 10% over the next four years. “We very much regret that, due to the current circumstances, we will not be continuing our involvement in the WEC after this season," said Michael Steiner, the board member responsible for research and development, including motorsports. “Motorsport has always been of major importance for Porsche and is an essential part of the brand.” Porsche is currently in second place in the Hypercar manufacturers' championship behind Ferrari. Both the WEC and [IMSA]() programs are run by Penske, though Porsche will retain its factory efforts in the North American championship for now. It also appears that Porsche will remain involved in Formula E, where it's also partnered with Penske. ![AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: Hypercar race winners, #06 Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche 963 drivers Matt Campbell, Laurens Vanthoor, and Kevin Estre, enter in parc ferme during the FIA WEC Lonestar Le Mans race at the Circuit of The Americas on September 07, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by James Moy Photography/Getty Images)]() ![AUSTIN, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 07: (L to R): Hypercar race winners, #06 Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche 963 drivers Matt Campbell, Laurens Vanthoor, and Kevin Estre, celebrate in parc ferme during the FIA WEC Lonestar Le Mans race at the Circuit of The Americas on September 07, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by James Moy Photography/Getty Images)]() This decision raises questions about whether Porsche will have any factory efforts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. The answer is, well, tricky. As *[Sportscar 365]()* breaks it down, multiple boxes must be checked for Porsche to race at Le Mans. First: If Porsche Penske wins the GTP title in IMSA, it would get an automatic invite to race in France. That said, WEC rules mandate a minimum of two Hypercars per manufacturer, which it currently meets. However, with Porsche Penske being absent next year, it leaves the independent team, Proton Competition, in the weeds with its single 963. And as the report highlights, it would only be eligible to race if two 963s race the full season. While it's unfortunate that Porsche has decided to pull out of WEC, it's excellent news for all racing fans that it will remain involved in IMSA. For how long, though, who knows? With the GTP class being one of the most competitive and exciting to watch in all of motorsports, it would be a huge blow to the current appeal of the series to lose a vital brand like Porsche. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()