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Michael Christensen Prefers Staying in WEC Amid IMSA Speculations
Porsche driver Michael Christensen has expressed his desire to continue competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year, despite ongoing rumors suggesting a potential transition to the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Christensen’s comments come in light of Porsche’s recent announcement regarding changes to its factory teams in preparation for the third season of the 963 LMDh across both the WEC and IMSA GTP classes.
The restructuring may involve driver exchanges between the WEC and IMSA, reminiscent of the recent switch made by Dane Cameron and Matt Campbell ahead of the 2024 season. Furthermore, there is speculation surrounding a possible reduction of Porsche’s WEC entries, with plans to field two drivers per vehicle during the six-hour races that constitute half of next year’s eight-race calendar.
In the face of these developments, Christensen, a Le Mans 24 Hours class victor, has made it clear that he favors remaining in the WEC for what would be his tenth consecutive year in the championship. He highlighted that his familiarity with the operational side of Porsche Penske Motorsport in the WEC and the automatic invitation to compete at Le Mans are significant incentives for him to stay.
“My preference has always been WEC; I really like that series,” the Danish driver shared with Autosport. “I did race in IMSA in 2014 during my first year under contract as a factory driver, and while I found it exciting, I felt more at home in WEC.”
Christensen Has Experience in IMSA
Photo by: Richard Dole
Christensen elaborated on his preference, stating that the WEC’s structure, its European base, the familiarity of the circuits, and the team’s cohesive operations during pit stops were appealing. Perhaps most importantly, he values the opportunity to build on the same team leading into Le Mans, which adds a layer of consistency and predictability to his racing endeavors.
“At this point, there hasn’t been much communication regarding next year from Porsche to me. All I have are the rumors circulating in the paddock, and I can’t confirm their validity,” he noted.
As the season approaches its end, Christensen and his teammates in the #5 Porsche, Matt Campbell and Frederic Makowiecki, currently sit fifth in the championship standings ahead of the finale in Bahrain scheduled for November. The lead is held by another Porsche crew consisting of Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Andre Lotterer, who hold a 35-point advantage with 39 points available in the final event.
Porsche has yet to announce its plans regarding the use of its first of five evolutionary performance upgrades, known as “jokers,” as permitted under the original five-year cycle for the 963 LMDh. An anticipated upgrade that would have involved a transition to a 90° crankshaft from the 180° design was called off after the team navigated the Le Mans event this year without encountering significant reliability challenges.
Porsche’s Performance Insights
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
With the seasons of both WEC and IMSA concluding in the coming months, Porsche remains at the forefront of both standings. Christensen acknowledged ongoing areas for improvement with the 963, particularly citing a deficit in straight-line speed at Circuit de la Sarthe, which hindered their performance during this year’s marquee event.
“There are always areas where we can make updates and improvements,” he said. “Some issues we encountered early in the project remain unresolved and can’t just be addressed through adjustments. Our management will need to consider these aspects going forward.”
Christensen underscored the significance of achieving superior straight-line speed for future Le Mans events, indicating, “I can’t pinpoint the reasons for our shortcomings, but there is a definite need for greater top speed. While Le Mans is just one race, it carries high stakes and points, making it a critical area of focus for us.”
He concluded by expressing a proactive mindset regarding team development: “There will always be something to improve, and we should aim to address these details moving forward.”
Source
www.autosport.com