American motorsports powerhouse Penske is joining Porsche to run next generation sportscars at the Le Mans 24 Hours, in the World Endurance Championship and America’s top prototype series IMSA.
Porsche had already revealed its intention to build an LMDh hybrid prototype for Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship, and Penske had left the door open to a top-flight return after leaving the IMSA championship it had won two years in a row with Acura.
Now Porsche Penske Motorsport will run two cars in the WEC – including Le Mans – and IMSA, in what the announcement described as a multi-year deal.
“We are delighted that we were able to get Team Penske to form this partnership,” said Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG.
“For the first time in the history of Porsche Motorsport, our company will have a global team competing in the world’s two largest endurance series. To this end, we will be setting up team bases on both sides of the Atlantic.
“This will enable us to create the optimal structures we will need to take overall victories at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring, for example.”
Team owner Roger Penske added: “This is a proud day for our entire Penske organisation.
“We have represented Porsche on the track or in our businesses for more than six decades. The heritage and success we have enjoyed together is unparalleled throughout our history.
“I can’t wait to get started as we build a global racing programme with Porsche that will compete for wins and championships well into the future.”
The team base will be run out of Penske’s shop in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Penske hasn’t competed at Le Mans since it entered a Ferrari in 1971, when Porsche won the event.
