The two men's careers are nothing short of astounding. Marc Lieb, 36 years old, has participated 11 times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which he won this year. Porsche driver since 2000, the German has spent most of his career with the marque: German Carrera Cup champion in 2002; FIA GT champion in 2003; LMES champion in GT2 in 2005; then LMS in 2006, 2009 and 2010; FIA GT2 champion in 2005, winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2007, 2008 and 2009; World Endurance Champion this year. “I always imagined that the LM P1 programme would be my last seat as a works driver, and I managed to set the course early for my future career outside the cockpit at Porsche. I’m thankful for all the chances and possibilities I got at Porsche for so many years. And I’m especially grateful to my family for supporting me over two decades in racing. This was tough at times and I want to pay back some of it now. To perform the move into international customer racing at Porsche as a Le Mans winner and a world champion, means an incredible amount to me."

Romain Dumas, 38 years old, has been a Porsche driver since 2003. The Frenchman has won almost everything possible: two-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2010 with Audi and 2016 with Porsche) in 16 participations; winner at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2014 and 2016; winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; ALMS champion in 2007 and 2008 in a Porsche RS Spyder; winner at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2003 and 2010; winner at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2008. "For me, Porsche is like a family. I think of many great years with great racing cars. We made history quite a few times, in Spa and at the Nordschleife with the 911 GT3, and obviously in Sebring with the RS Spyder. The last three years with the new Porsche Team in the LM P1 category were at the highest professional level. It has been an incredibly competitive and very technically challenging era. Winning Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche was a dream come true and I am proud of what we achieved all together since many years. I am an man of challenges and there will be a new one soon." In a few weeks, Dumas will once again compete at Dakar (January 2-14) at the wheel of a Peugeot 3008 DKR. 

The two men are leaving a significant void. LM P1 Vice President Fritz Enzinger: "The LM P1 programme has benefitted immensely from Marc’s and Romain’s experience, especially during the team’s build-up phase and in Le Mans. Together we went through some highs and lows in recent years. I am very pleased that both true racers can conclude this part of their Porsche career as Le Mans winners and world champions. I thank Marc and Romain from the depth of my heart for their high performance driving, their strong commitment and their loyalty."

With Mark Webber's retirement from competition, there are now three seats available with Porsche for the 2017 season...

Photo: Romain Dumas (at left) and Marc Lieb (at right) are moving on to other projects.