Bentley is expected to announce its future racing plans next summer – and it could include racing a top line LMP1 car against VW Group stablemates Audi and Porsche.
“An LMP1 car would be a good way to go, but not the only possible way,” said Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer when asked about potential future race projects. “There is nothing saying the same brands can’t compete against each other – the only important thing is that the racing activity supports fully the brand identity.”
See a pic of Bentley's former Le Mans racer
Durhemier also hinted at possible race programmes, saying that he could see gaps in the market for Bentley to predominantly race in either the US, where it sells most road cars, or Asia, where its sales are growing at the fastest rate, and then compete on selected world championship events.
“The three brands of Bentley, Porsche and Audi could race in different regions and come together five or six times a year for the world sportscar championship and then once per year in France. It’s not decided, but it is possible,” he said.
Durheimer is keen to base the race team near Bentley’s Crewe base. “I am absolutely convinced that having the racing department close to the company headquarters is key in motivating people at the factory,” he said.
“I am also keen that people from the road car side sample the racing side – I saw at Porsche that one or two years with the race team can really change how people work. In racing you need discipline and focus, and when people come back to road cars from that environment it really helps them.”
Jim Holder
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