olli:
Spyderidol and Reginos, a few additional thoughts:
1. WEC and ACO clearly have lost the plot, hence Porsche's withdrawal from LMP1. As fascinating as the technology (and racing action) may be, which is at least on a par with F1, the marketing of the racing series (except for LM) has been underwhelming to say the least.
1. Few have been more critical of the ACO than I . All this was foreseeable given their penchant for constant rule changes and adjustments coupled with an almost quixotic pursuit for cost control. They make the rules (badly) and then spend the next few years making adjustments often based on unnecessarily draconian safety standards or political pressures to reduce costs from some (read French) manufacturers with an obscure promise that if the costs are reduced enough to levels that would barely afford a competitive ride in some developing world GT series (I’m exaggerating to illustrate a point), they will join the series. I am always flummoxed that so much time and energy is wasted on discussing the cost side of the budget, and never any real effort or discussion surrounding the revenue side. Unfortunately I predict this madness will continue (and it is madness by definition: They have done this over and over again, and always expect a different result)
Porsche leaving the series however, has really put it into a tail spin.
I understand why they are leaving. I don’t think it was done in a proper fashion. It is never good to burn bridges, and Porsche may have done that by the way that they are managing their exit. I hope not.
2. Porsche management decided to align their motorsports activities with the brand road car product strategy going forward. With Mission E and other EVs in the pipeline for launch starting in 2019, entering Formula E at that time is designed to sharpen their profile in this space.
Do you think FE is at a level that will provide sharpness to anything? It most certainly is not now, and there had better be some very big advancements (and far less spec parts) if it will do what is expected.
3. Potentially entering F1 in 2021 as engine supplier with advanced turbo and hybrid tech would serve a similar purpose.
....If successful.
4. Focusing on GT car racing in general, and GTE in particular, is meant to protect their 911 based sports car image, despite the fact that Porsche derives at least 75% of its sales from non-sports cars.
Maybe they could enter truck racing?
5. Regarding the RSR, I would guess that given the increased focus on GT racing, that Walliser will be under tremendous pressure to make this 911 silhouette platform competitive based on the current configuration, or else...
Yes, I would not like to be in his shoes.