FIA World Endurance champions Marc Lieb and Romain Dumas have been dropped from Porsche’s LMP1 driver roster for next season.
The German manufacturer has confirmed the move just a week after the pair lifted the FIA WEC driver’s championship in the #2 Porsche 919 hybrid LMP1 alongside Neel Jani in Bahrain.
The duo are set to be retained within Porsche’s motorsport program with Lieb set to take up a role in the marque’s GT customer racing division, while Dumas’ future is yet-to-be decided.
Porsche’s announcement creates three driver vacancies in its LMP1 roster next year following Mark Webber’s retirement.
The manufacturer’s GT ace Nick Tandy has been among the contenders to fill Webber’s vacant seat.
Meanwhile, New Zealander Earl Bamber and Audi refugee Andre Lotterer have also been tipped to land drives.
Porsche is expected to announce its new driver line-up on December 3.
Porsche LMP1 vice president Fritz Enzinger praised Lieb and Dumas’ efforts over the last three years.
“The LMP1 programme has benefitted immensely from Romain and Marc’s experience, especially during the team’s build-up phase and at Le Mans,” said Enzinger.
“Together we went through some highs and lows in recent years, and I am very pleased that both true racers can conclude this part of their Porsche careers as Le Mans winners and world champions.”
Following the news, 36-year-old Lieb showed his gratitude to the manufacturer for the opportunity.
“I always imagined that the LMP1 program would be my last seat as a works driver, and I managed to set the course early for my future career outside the cockpit at Porsche,” said Lieb.
“I’m thankful for all the chances and possibilities I got at Porsche for so many years.
“To perform the move into international customer racing at Porsche as a Le Mans winner and a world champion means an incredible amount to me.”
Dumas highlighted this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours triumph as a ’dream come true’ as he prepares to farewell the LMP1 squad.
“The last three years with the new Porsche Team in the LMP1 category were at the highest professional level,” said Dumas.
“It has been an incredibly competitive and very technically challenging era.
“Winning Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche was a dream come true and I am proud of what we achieved all together since many years. I am an man of challenges and there will be a new one soon.”
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