Manor set for LMP1 attack in 2018 with Ginetta

The British team, which joined the WEC in 2016 in the LMP2 class, is the first team to announce its intention to link up with Ginetta to run its newly-announced LMP1 privateer contender on a works-supported basis.

Manor sporting director Graeme Lowdon told Motorsport.com's sister title Autosport: "With what is happening in P1 at the moment, we believe that 2018 could be the right time to enter as a privateer. 

"We've been talking to Ginetta for some time and think that a P1 programme will play to our strengths as a group that has previously built its own cars."

However, Lowdon said the P1 plans were dependent on "making the P1 business model work".

"As always, it is subject to finance, but if we don't start working on our plans now, it won't happen," he added.

Lowdon stressed that Manor would remain in LMP2 should its graduation to LMP1 come to fruition.

"We see P1 as an addition and not an alternative," he explained. "We are committed to LMP2 and it is our main focus for 2017 at the moment."

Lowdon also confirmed that Manor will remain with ORECA for this year's programme and upgrade its existing 05 chassis to the latest 07 specification. 

Manor is known to be working on returning to the series, which will announce its entry list on February 2, with two full-season entries.