With its WEC withdrawal, Porsche puts IMSA on notice – we win or we’re out (Update)
With the threat of future withdrawal hanging over IMSA’s head after Porsche withdrew from the WEC, Porsche took home all the key titles in IMSA yesterday.
Porsche capped off the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with six championship crowns. The factory team’s two Porsche 963 prototypes finished the season finale at Road Atlanta in third and tenth place, enough to secure the manufacturers title once again.
Former Porsche Juniors Matt Campbell from Australia and Mathieu Jaminet clinched drivers’ honors, while Porsche Penske Motorsport claimed the team championship for the second year running.
Porsche also retained the manufacturers’ title in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, which includes the five major endurance races. In this special classification, Brazil’s Felipe Nasr and Britain’s Nick Tandy took home the drivers’ crown, with Porsche Penske Motorsport again topping the team rankings.
“I struggle to find the words – sweeping the title pool two years running is simply incredible,” states Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “I want to pay a huge compliment to everyone involved. I’m immensely proud. Achievements like this don’t come around often, and I’ll need some time to fully appreciate the scale of these successes.”
“This championship is a testament to the entire Porsche Penske Motorsport team and the hard work and dedication they invest into this program every day,” says Roger Penske, Founder and Chairman of the Penske Corporation. “The season started with four consecutive victories, including back-to-back 24 Hours of Daytona wins, and has continued into 10 total podiums. That type of success isn’t accomplished without great drivers, leaders and a resilient crew. The commitment to winning together has been unwavering and defending the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship title is reflection of those efforts from all the men and women across both Mooresville and Germany.”
“Our car continues to be the most successful LMDh vehicle since the regulations were introduced,” explains Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “Today’s race was extremely challenging, but once again we made the most of it.”
October 8, 2025
Porsche struggled to secure victories in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), prompting their decision to withdraw after the 2025 season. The brand’s ability to sell cars hinges on proving their dominance on the racetrack, but the Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments in the WEC consistently hindered their success.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
In contrast, IMSA, which also employs BoP, has been more favorable to Porsche, leading the company to maintain its presence there for the time being. However, Porsche’s exit from the WEC serves as a clear warning to IMSA: adjust the BoP to ensure Porsche’s competitiveness, or face potential consequences.
Though Porsche has not officially voiced this stance, the message to IMSA is unmistakable.
Porsche Press Release for Petit Le Mans
Porsche aims to defend all titles at the IMSA finale at Road Atlanta
Stuttgart. Heading into the season finale at Road Atlanta, the fight for the manufacturers’ crown is on a knife-edge. Porsche tops the standings with four victories but holds only a seven-point advantage over Acura, Honda’s American performance brand. With 350 points awarded for a race win and 35 for pole position, every session could prove decisive.
“We will give absolutely everything at Road Atlanta to defend all titles,” states Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “After our extraordinary start with four wins in a row, the circumstances prevented further victories. The six-hour race at Indianapolis didn’t go as planned. We know we have the potential – now it’s about executing flawlessly. The team is fully focused on the ‘Petit Le Mans’. I’m confident we can emerge from the big finale as winners.”
“We need to deliver maximum performance in all areas to achieve our dream of title defence,” explains Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “The team, the drivers, and above all the Porsche 963 bring everything needed for another triumph. Since the start of the LMDh regulations in 2023, the 963 has been the most successful car by far – eleven wins in IMSA, more than any rival. At Road Atlanta, we’re targeting win number twelve and, just like last year, all the championship titles.”
“Petit LeMans is the final round of the 2025 IMSA season and is one of the most difficult. The tight confines of the Road Atlanta circuit and the high car count is a recipe for non-stop action,” states Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Porsche Penske Motorsport is entering the race leading all championships; however, we are not taking anything for granted. Both of our cars have had a strong 8 previous races but it will all be decided in Atlanta and we must stay focused and hopefully rewarded when the checkered flag falls.”
For the endurance classic at the 4.088-kilometer Road Atlanta circuit near Braselton, Porsche Penske Motorsport will once again field three drivers per car. Jaminet and Campbell will share the #6 Porsche 963 with Frenchman Julien Andlauer, while the #7 sister car will be driven by Nasr, Tandy, and Belgian Laurens Vanthoor. JDC-Miller MotorSports enters its 485 kW (659 PS) strong #85 Porsche 963 with Tijmen van der Helm (Netherlands), Max Esterson (USA), and Neel Jani (Switzerland). Proton Competition will not contest the finale.
Championship scenarios: thrilling title fight goes down to the wire
In the drivers’ championship, three duos still have a mathematical shot: Campbell/Jaminet lead with 2,582 points ahead of Nasr/Tandy on 2,451. BMW’s Dries Vanthoor (Belgium) and Philipp Eng (Austria) are third, 145 points adrift. The equation is simple: a seventh-place finish is enough for Campbell/Jaminet to secure the drivers’ crown. The same scenario applies to the teams’ championship.
The manufacturers’ title fight is even tighter: with just a seven-point lead, at least one Porsche 963 must finish ahead of the best-placed Acura to secure the title. In the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup – the special classification for the long-distance races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis, and Road Atlanta – Porsche also leads across the board. In 2024, Porsche swept all titles in this sub-championship as well.
GT classes: Wright Motorsports fights for IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup
After finishing second at Indianapolis, Wright Motorsports still has a shot at the Endurance Cup. The Ohio-based customer team fields a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTD class, driven by Americans Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer alongside Australia’s Tom Sargent in the #120 entry.
In GTD Pro, AO Racing is chasing a third win of the season with its fan-favorite “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R. The #77 will be shared by Laurin Heinrich (Germany), Klaus Bachler (Austria), and Porsche factory driver Michael Christensen (Denmark) – all three former Porsche Juniors.
The race
The “Petit Le Mans”, part of the IMSA calendar since 1998, is one of North America’s most prestigious endurance races. The 28th running will again be held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, about 80 km northeast of Atlanta, home of Porsche Cars North America. The 10-hour race on the undulating 4.088 km natural-terrain circuit, with its twelve corners including the famous fast downhill “Esses” is highly popular among both fans and drivers. Autumn weather in Georgia can bring blazing sunshine, heavy rain, or even thunderstorms.
Porsche’s greatest Road Atlanta triumph came in 2015 in torrential rain, when Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet (France), and Richard Lietz (Austria) claimed overall victory with the Porsche 911 RSR ahead of all quicker prototype cars – the brand’s only outright win at Road Atlanta to date. Across the “Petit Le Mans”, Porsche has also celebrated 24 class victories.
Live coverage
Fans outside the USA and Canada can watch the entire race free of charge on imsa.tv. Live timing is available at scoring.imsa.com. The green flag for the 2025 IMSA season finale drops on Saturday, October 11, at 12:10 p.m. local time (6:10 p.m. CEST).
Driver quotes
Matt Campbell (Porsche 963 #6): “This is it! ‘Petit Le Mans’ is the perfect stage for a big season finale. For me, it’s the best event of the year. Hopefully we can celebrate a successful end to the season. Together with our teammates in the #7, we’re fighting for the championship – it’s going to be thrilling!”
Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 #7): “Here we are, entering the final race of the season. Road Atlanta always delivers a thriller, and I enjoy the unique challenges this race brings. I’m eager to fight for the manufacturers’ championship with Porsche, that’s our main goal. I’m excited to team up with Nick Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor again, and hopefully we pick up right where we left off in Sebring!”
Neel Jani (Porsche 963 #85): “It’s a shame Proton Competition can’t be there, so I’m really pleased to join JDC-Miller MotorSports at Road Atlanta. We may be outsiders, but anything can happen at ‘Petit Le Mans’. The team tested here recently, so the car should be well-prepared. I know the circuit very well and have already won here twice. In 2023, Proton and I even managed a podium with the Porsche 963. We’ve got a shot!”
Laurin Heinrich (Porsche 911 GT3 R #77): “The mood is a bit subdued since we lost our chance to defend the title at Indianapolis. But I’m fired up for Road Atlanta: I’ve got unfinished business there. In 2024, we secured the championship but suffered a tough race on Saturday after leading early. Now I want to win the ‘Petit Le Mans’ – it’s high on my wish list and a huge motivation. We’ll give everything to celebrate another win with ‘Rexy’.”
Porsche entries at Road Atlanta
GTP class (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Matt Campbell (AUS), Mathieu Jaminet (FRA), Julien Andlauer (FRA)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #7: Felipe Nasr (BRA), Nick Tandy (GBR), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL)
JDC-Miller MotorSports #85: Tijmen van der Helm (NLD), Max Esterson (USA), Neel Jani (CHE)
GTD Pro class:
AO Racing #77: Klaus Bachler (AUT), Laurin Heinrich (DEU), Michael Christensen (DNK)
GTD class:
Wright Motorsports #120: Adam Adelson (USA), Elliott Skeer (USA), Tom Sargent (AUS)
Schedule (local time = CEST – 6 hours)
Thursday, 9 October
10:40 – 12:10 hrs: Free Practice 1
15:15 – 16:45 hrs: Free Practice 2
19:30 – 21:00 hrs: Free Practice 3
Friday, 10 October
15:20 – 15:35 hrs: Qualifying GTD
15:40 – 15:55 hrs: Qualifying GTD Pro
16:20 – 16:35 hrs: Qualifying GTP
Saturday, 11 October
12:10 – 22:10 hrs: Race (10 hours)