Porsche WEC Exit Leaves IRON DAMES LMGT3 Future Uncertain for 2026

October 14, 2025

• Porsche’s shocking WEC Hypercar withdrawal puts the future of customer programs in limbo, including questions about whether the IRON DAMES will continue their LMGT3 campaign. While Manthey Racing appears secure for their 911 GT3 R program, Porsche Motorsport VP Thomas Laudenbach dodged direct questions about the all-female squad’s future, creating unnecessary uncertainty around one of motorsport’s most important diversity initiatives.
• The regulatory maze gets messy for teams like Proton Competition, who would need to fund two Hypercar entries just to keep one 963 on track – a €538,000 manufacturer fee plus additional costs that make customer participation nearly impossible without factory backing. This creates a domino effect that could eliminate Porsche’s Le Mans automatic invitation, since you need a full WEC campaign to use it.
• While IMSA confirms three 963s for 2026 (two Porsche Penske, one JDC-Miller), the WEC picture remains frustratingly unclear. Porsche officials are being deliberately vague about supporting customer efforts, which feels shortsighted when brands should be fighting to keep every car on track. The IRON DAMES deserve a straight answer about their program instead of corporate speak about “selection committees.”

fia wec, lmgt3, manthey racing, porsche 911 gt3 r