WEC: GTE elevated to world championship status

The FIA confirmed plans to elevate the GTE class in its World Endurance Championship to full championship-earning status for drivers and manufacturers. The increase in stature for the Drivers' and Manufacturers' championships will now match the incentives previously reserved for the top-tier LMP1 category.

At present, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford and Porsche will be eligible for the Manufacturers' title in 2017, and with BMW set to enter GTE in 2018, five brands will soon vie for the coveted award.

"I would like to warmly thank Jean Todt, President of the FIA and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, for their total involvement in obtaining this title," said ACO President Pierre Fillon, who oversees endurance racing's crown jewel, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "I would like also to acknowledge the efforts made by the manufacturers and their sporting performances that fully justify this world title label."

"The announcement of this world title is excellent news for the WEC and rewards a grid of the highest quality," added FIA WEC CEO Gérard Neveu. "This decision should speed up the arrival of other manufacturers to this category."