Porsche Rumored To Return To F1 In '14

Volkswagen-owned Porsche "will make a comeback in the World Endurance Championship in '14, however, rumors say this is only a warm-up to an F1 return," according to AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT. The WEC's season highlight is the 24 hours of Le Mans race. Porsche's last overall victory at the 24 hours of Le Mans dates back to '98. In '14, Porsche will return to Le Mans with a LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype category 1) car. F1 insiders are wondering if Porsche will conduct such a huge effort only for its Le Mans project. The German brand is building a new state-of-the-art competence center. Motorsport insiders "point to the unusual high amount of skilled professionals with F1 background that Porsche hires for its Le Mans project." So far all F1 comeback plans have been vetoed by Volkswagen Chair Ferdinand Piech. F1's new motor regulations, which are supposed to take effect in '14, and a budget cap "make a possible F1 return more feasible for Porsche" (AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT, 10/15).