Porsche’s 2016 FIA WEC GTE programme was in some doubt until the late summer as the marque moved to make a long-term decision on motorsport strategy, with the iconic Porsche 911 looking set to be replaced as the weapon of choice for the company’s top-tier GT racing activities for 2017, likely by a future mid-engined car.

A clear signal came at the WEC race weekend at the Nurburgring though that any doubt over a return to the GTE Pro class had been removed, Porsche senior management clearly expressing that they would continue to support the class.

More recent conversations though have indicated clearly that, at present, the effort is likely to be with a single 911 RSR from the factory team.

In addition, Auto Hebdo in France is reporting that the 2017 effort may very well not be run by Team Manthey, but that Porsche support will still be forthcoming for the efforts of Proton Competition.

Whether or not that is an indication of an expanded factory-backed GT3 programme with the new 2016-spec 911 GT3 R, or whether Manthey is to be involved heavily with the development programme for the 2017 car, remains to be seen.