The Portuguese driver Filipe Albuquerque is optimistic about the future of endurance racing, arguing that Acura’s decision to suspend its LMDh program does not represent a “failure” for the GTP class of IMSA.
Honda, through its luxury brand Acura, will cease official participation with the ARX-06 at the end of the current season, marking a significant return to prototype racing after nine years.
This withdrawal will leave only four manufacturers competing for victory in the North American championship, with LMDh prototypes from Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW, as well as a single LMH vehicle from Aston Martin.
Albuquerque has defended his experience with Acura over four seasons (2021-2024), where he achieved victories in iconic races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and Watkins Glen and finished second in the championship on several occasions.
Despite his sadness at seeing Acura’s departure from competition, he believes the health of the championship is good, emphasizing that the possibility of new manufacturers entering the GTP class is real.
The driver stated: “I don’t see it as an ending. Four manufacturers is still magnificent. We must recognize that having ten or eleven manufacturers is not the norm. In the last five years, we have had great participation.”
Albuquerque stressed that Acura’s withdrawal should not discourage fans, indicating that brands like McLaren, Genesis, and Ford are considering entering the championship in the coming years.
Additionally, he pointed out that the interest of manufacturers like Ford and McLaren in the American market is immense, and that the possibility of seeing a scenario with more than seven manufacturers for the 2027 and 2028 seasons is plausible, which would lead to an increase in competition.
With the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship also featuring eight participating manufacturers at present, Albuquerque highlights that both IMSA and WEC are on the right track, and expresses his hope for a future filled with new entries.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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