Rebellion Racing will end its LMP1 Privateer program at the conclusion of the FIA World Endurance Championship season, opting for a switch to the LMP2 category in a yet-to-be-announced program for 2017.
The Anglo-Swiss squad, a mainstay of the top prototype class since 2009, announced its change of direction on Thursday, which has major implications on the future of the privateer subclass in the WEC.
Only a single entry from ByKolles Racing remains in LMP1 Privateer, with no other teams on the horizon for next year.
Rebellion had scaled back to a single-car Rebellion R-One AER effort prior to the Mexico City round, in what was cited to focus on 2017 development of the ORECA-built car, which would be adapted to the ACO’s updated 2017 regulations.
However, that will not materialize, with the Bart Hayden-led team moving back to LMP2 with a yet-to-be-announced car and program.
“It is an exciting time for LMP2 as new specification cars, which will be eligible to race in all the top sports car championships around the world, are currently being unveiled by the chassis suppliers,” a statement from the team read.
“The pace of these new LMP2 cars is forecast to be significantly quicker than the current cars and with high levels of competition between the teams and the cars, the challenge is very attractive to Rebellion Racing, we are looking forward to this new adventure.”
The team has won all four WEC titles for LMP1 Privateer teams since its inception in 2012 and is close to locking up the 2016 championship with its remaining entry of Dominik Kraihamer, Alexandre Imperatori and Matheo Tuscher.
