From the “we hope we wouldn’t see this coming, but it was definitely a strong possibility to happen” file, Nissan has shelved its LMP1 program for 2016.
A statement released on Tuesday confirms the withdrawal of the GT-R LM NISMO for the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
Within the statement, this line is contained:
“The teams worked diligently to bring the vehicles up to the desired performance levels. However, the company concluded that the program would not be able to reach its ambitions and decided to focus on developing its longer term racing strategies.”
Basically, the car’s troubled hybrid system meant it ran without it, and barely exceeded LMP2 performance levels in its lone race appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It was different, it was cool... but ultimately the GT-R LM NISMO was not a successful race car on track.
It generated a helluva lot of interest, though.
Ultimately, this is most unfortunate for the crew, who worked tirelessly to develop the car, but are now left essentially with a lump of coal ahead of the holidays, with what’s believed to be fairly late notice of the decision.