Alessio Picariello extends his Porsche contract... with a 963 programme?

Close to Iron Lynx (now linked to Lamborghini), seen at the wheel of a Nissan Z GT500 a few days ago and member of the Porsche family, Alessio Picariello has caused confusion in recent weeks over his 2024 programme. But in the end, the 30-year-old Belgian will stay with the German manufacturer. That's what he made official on his social networks.

With the departure of Matteo Cairoli, Dennis Olsen and Yifei Ye, the German manufacturer could be entrusting him with more important tasks, most likely with a substantial programme in GT3. But not in WEC, since the two professional drivers appointed by Manthey EMA and Pure Rxcing are Richard Lietz and Klaus Bachler respectively.

However, there are rumours that the 2020 ELMS - GTE champion ⬆️ and 2023 could also contest races in a 963 run by Proton Competition on the IMSA Endurance Cup rounds? This would already be a fine programme, given that it includes the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 6 Hours of The Glen, The Battle On The Bricks (Indianapolis) and Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta).

Picariello would then lend a helping hand to the incumbent duo, including Gianmaria Bruni, who is expected to contest the entire season in the German team's #5 963. Neel Jani, who will be defending the team's interests in the WEC, will play the role of luxury reinforcement in a selection of races, such as the 24 Hours of Daytona.