Nissan withdraws from WEC's LMP1 class after troubled first year

After a tumultuous first season with its radical GT-R LM, Nissan has decided to withdraw its participation from the LMP1 class of World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Nissan, one of the world’s largest car makers, announced a return to the top echelon of sportscar racing this year, making a high profile launch at the Super Bowl.

However, persistent issues with the GT-R LM forced it to miss the first two round of the championship, with the car only making its debut at Le Mans. Neither of the three cars were classified as finishers for failing to complete the minimum number of laps.

Aware of the challenge that lay ahead, Nissan backed out of the remaining rounds, extensively testing its car in the US to eke out the issues that plagued its first WEC campaign.

However, the company has now decided to do away with the car - and hence its much hyped LMP1 programme - to switch its ‘focus on developing its longer term racing strategies.’