Porsche Aligns with Ratel on GT3 Evolution, Emphasizing Production Car Roots
Porsche's head of motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, has voiced strong support for Stephane Ratel's position on the future direction of GT3 racing, advocating for a reaffirmation of the category's core values. He urges all participating manufacturers, including new entrants, to honor the original philosophy that defines GT3.
Ratel's recent statements highlighting the increasing challenges faced by GT3 racing have resonated deeply within the automotive racing community, garnering significant endorsement from key industry players. The French motorsport executive has specifically pointed out that escalating costs and the shift towards purpose-built racing machines, rather than modifications of production cars, are steering the category away from its initial intent.
During the recent IMSA event at Road America, Laudenbach confirmed his alignment with Ratel's assessment, stressing the critical need for proactive measures to secure the long-term viability of the series. He remarked, "I concur with almost all of his viewpoints. We had an extensive conversation, and I completely share his perspective."
He continued, "We must exercise caution. It seems we've become too permissive, as GT racing should fundamentally remain accessible. Our GT3 philosophy is very clear. Our pricing structure remains competitive. We aim to avoid the proliferation of prototype vehicles. Our preference is for the inverse approach: street-legal cars forming the basis from which race cars are developed. This is the essence of GT3. I've observed a trend that I find concerning, and therefore, I largely share his perspective and concerns."
Ratel has previously articulated his apprehension about vehicles slated for introduction from 2028 onwards, with brands like Genesis, Mercedes, and Toyota reportedly preparing new GT3 programs. His worry stems from these vehicles seemingly being conceived as race cars first, with subsequent adaptations for limited road-legal production. This contrasts sharply with the original GT3 concept, which mandated the conversion of existing road cars into race machines.
In this context, Porsche, with its iconic 911 model serving as a perennial flagship that transitions from road to track, largely upholds the traditional GT3 ethos. Nevertheless, Laudenbach acknowledged that manufacturers might feel compelled to adjust their strategies to remain competitive if rivals continue down the path of developing more race-centric vehicles, potentially leading to a widespread departure from the category's roots.
Laudenbach elaborated, "Ratel presented several constructive proposals. It's challenging because the boundaries have already been pushed, and we need to establish precise criteria. It becomes difficult to enforce when different standards have already been accepted. However, I believe we still need to take decisive action. We don't want GT racing to devolve into a prototype series, even with a diverse range of manufacturers."
He further added, "Having been in this industry for a considerable time, I understand how quickly things can unravel, so vigilance is paramount. I would even suggest mandating more customer cars. He proposed a minimum of 30, perhaps even more. But if you observe, some manufacturers engage in this primarily as… well, it's customer support, but largely for factory-backed cars. To me, this deviates from the true spirit of the sport."
He concluded, "Consider our involvement here [in IMSA]. We don't operate a factory team; we collaborate with AO and Manthey. Manthey functions as a customer team, seeking to expand their brand presence in the US, which I commendable. This illustrates our operational model. We refrain from providing factory support in GT classes because I believe it poses a challenge for the series and the GT category itself. Look at AO's performance here; it's exceptional racing. We don't require direct factory involvement in GT, as the factory is already competing in GTP. So, yes, I wholeheartedly share these concerns. I hope the category progresses constructively; it would be a pity to see it falter."