IMSA

Campbell prefers IMSA over WEC

Matt Campbell says he would prefer an IMSA programme over the World Endurance Championship as part of his Porsche LMDh deal.

Andrew van Leeuwen

Edited: Jun 28, 2022, 8:32 AM

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#27 Toksport WRT Porsche 911 GT3 R: Matt Campbell

The Australian has been named as part of an eight-strong driver line-up for Porsche's latest prototype programme, which will be run by Porsche Penske Motorsport.

He joins Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre, Michael Christensen, Laurens Vanthoor, Mathieu Jaminet, Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron as full factory drivers for the all-new 963 prototype.

The programme will span both the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship from 2023 onwards, with firm details on who will race where yet to be locked in.

According to Campbell even the drivers are yet to be told in which series they will race, however he has a clear preference – and that is an IMSA programme paired with Jaminet.

"It isn't announced yet and I still don't know as well," he said.

"For me, I'd prefer to have the seat in IMSA, especially with Mathieu. It's only two drivers in IMSA compared to three in WEC and me and Mathieu have done everything in the last two or three years. So for me, our relationship and partnership in the car is really, really strong.

"And also I love the racing style in the US. It's proper old school, similar to what I know from home in Australia. I prefer that.

"I've been in WEC for four years, since I joined the Porsche young professional programme, and have really enjoyed. it. But I must say I'm really loving the US style and racing.

"Hopefully I'll find out in the next couple of months or so."

Campbell has already been heavily involved in testing the 963 with early outings at Porsche's test track in Weissach followed by a three-day test at Aragon six weeks ago.

He says the step up from GT cars to prototypes has been made easier by the weight of the LMDh car, while laps in an LMP2 car last year also helped the transition.

"[The 963] is bloody quick in a straight line, a bit step up from what I'm used to," he said. "But I'd say the progression from the GT to the LMDh, at least on the circuits I've driven so far, has actually been smaller than expected, which has been a good thing.

"These cars are quite a lot heavier than the former class of LMP1. A lot more downforce, but with the weight you can definitely feel it. I think it's made that step a little bit easier.

"I had a test in an LMP2 car with Penske at Indianapolis late October last year, and that was a really good opportunity to get a bit seat time on a prototype. I wasn't worried going in or anything like that, but I was quite open-minded about how different it was going to be.

"It's really, really cool. A lot more downforce than what I'm used to and a lot more grunt. It's a lot of fun."

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