Proton forced to shutter privateer Porsche 963 program in FIA WEC

Proton Competition will not continue its privateer Porsche 963 program in the FIA World Endurance Championship, seemingly bringing to an end Porsche’s pursuit of a 20th overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Despite a huge effort from the German team to attempt to assemble the required two-car, factory-approved effort in the wake of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s withdrawal from the series – including negotiations with Porsche, Team Penske, and other commercial backers that have gone on for several weeks – these efforts have not reached a successful conclusion.

Unable to continue as a single-car privateer effort under the current WEC Sporting Regulations, the impending release of the 2026 WEC entry list is now all but certain not to feature the Porsche 963. That announcement had been delayed by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) in order to accommodate Proton’s last-ditch efforts to keep the program going.

And without a full-season WEC presence, the 963 would not be eligible to race at Le Mans, even via the invitation that was given to Porsche Penske Motorsport for winning the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech GTP Championship.

“Despite making every effort to continue the Hypercar program, Proton Competition will not be entering a Porsche 963 in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026,” the statement reads.

“Following the departure of Porsche Penske Motorsport from the FIA WEC, Christian and Michael Ried’s team have left no stone unturned in their pursuit of campaigning two Porsche 963 in the championship next year. However, it was not possible to reach an agreement with Porsche that would have allowed the cars to be entered privately.

“Proton Competition competed a Porsche 963 in the Hypercar class of the FIA WEC in 2025 and frequently got the better of works competitors. Sporting its retro F.A.T. livery, the car was also an eye-catching presence on the racetrack.

“This decision does not affect any other programs involving Porsche cars. As before any season, potential entries are being evaluated on an ongoing basis in order to put together the strongest possible program for Proton Competition.”

“We would like to thank all of our partners and supporters who have fought so hard over the past few weeks to realize this project,” said team owner Christian Ried. “We gave it everything, but unfortunately it was not possible to find a solution together with Porsche. We feel particularly sorry for Porsche fans, who won’t be able to see a 963 on the grid in the FIA WEC or at Le Mans. Endurance racing has always been a part of Porsche’s DNA, and that was a huge source of motivation as we attempted to reach an agreement with them.”

“Without partners like Ferdi Porsche and F.A.T., Mustang Sampling and Ken and Brenda Thompson, we would never have been able to get this project up and running – so our thanks go to them,” Ried added. “The ACO and LMEM also supported us right until the very end in our quest to remain in the Hypercar class.”

Proton Competition is also not slated to make a return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP category, after its Michelin Endurance Cup effort was sidelined following a crash at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. This would leave JDC-Miller MotorSports as the only privateer Porsche 963 team in active competition going into 2026.