LE MANS: Peugeot Withdrawal 'A Bump In The Road'

Le Mans / ALMS

LE MANS: Peugeot Withdrawal ‘A Bump In The Road’ - McNish

Audi's Allan McNish still confident in successful future of FIA World Endurance Championship...

John Dagys | Posted January 31, 2012 Chicago, IL

Despite Audi set to be the only factory LMP1 team at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, Allan McNish remains confident about the future of the WEC. (Photo: LAT)

While Peugeot's withdrawal from LMP1 competition has no doubt sent shock waves through the sports car racing world, Audi's Allan McNish is still confident in the long-term success of the new FIA World Endurance Championship, which kicks off at Sebring in March.

McNish, who battled the factory Peugeot squad during its five-year stint in premier prototype ranks, believes the absence of the French manufacturer will not have a huge impact, especially with Toyota coming into the mix this year with a limited-season program.

"I think it's a bump in the road," McNish told SPEED.com. "Certainly the WEC, as I see it at the moment, would not revolve around one manufacturer. It's obviously a disappointment they're not here. But Toyota, I'm very sure, are capable of stepping in financially as well as from a sporting point of view.

"Then when you look at the HPDs, what we saw at Sebring last year when it finished right behind the winning Peugeot, suggests that they're not bad. Two good teams are going to run them, so they're going to be around as well. So I don't see [Peugeot's withdrawal] being critical but I do see it being a bump."

As for Audi's program, McNish said the German manufacturer, which won last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, is still continuing with its plans, with an announcement due soon.

With Audi the only LMP1 factory squad expected to commit to the entire eight-round WEC, there have been concerns whether the manufacturer's World Championship would be awarded. More news on that front is expected to be made Thursday, when the ACO unveils its list of selected entries.

As may as 35 cars are believed to have submitted entry requests for the inaugural season, with around 30 likely to be selected by the ACO to compete in the global sports car championship.

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at

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