Joel Camathias will not take part to the 2018 European Le Mans Series with Proton Competition, as recently announced. The Swiss driver and the German team have taken the decision by mutual agreement after the ELMS collective test at Paul Ricard earlier this week, following the accident suffered by Joel at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR.

With the 2018 season already started or about to start for most international GT series, Joel will now take the challenge to build a different race programme.

Joel Camathias

“I am sad about the development, but I understand and accept the situation. The accident itself was very unfortunate, and something that never happened to me before in 25 years of racing. I was in my first lap and coming to the third corner, the car just ‘went’ as soon as I touched the brakes. It was completely sudden and unexpected. Unfortunately, the car has suffered serious damage. I understand the trouble for Proton Competition a few days before the start of the ELMS season. Eventually, it was decided to take different paths. I have spent two very nice and successful seasons with Proton Competition, in the FIA WEC in 2016 and in the ELMS in 2017. Out of 15 races together, we took 7 podium finishes and one win, finishing 3rd in the ELMS’ in the LMGTE class in 2017. I thank Proton for their trust and wish them all the best for the future. I will now focus on re-directing my 2018 racing plans, which won’t be easy at this period of the year. But challenges are what this sports is about, and I am confident something new and positive will come out!”