GTE given world championship status

The GTE class of the FIA World Endurance Championship has been given world championship status.

The elevation for the class puts it's status as equal to the LMP1 class of the WEC, as well as Formula One, the World Rally Championship, the World Touring Car Championship, and the World Rallycross Championship.

"I would like to warmly thank Jean Todt, President of the FIA and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, for their total involvement in obtaining this title," said Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO who the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "I would like also to acknowledge the efforts made by the manufacturers and their sporting performances that fully justify this world title label."

"The announcement of this world title is excellent news for the WEC and rewards a grid of the highest quality," added FIA WEC CEO Gérard Neveu. "This decision should speed up the arrival of other manufacturers to this category."

Currently Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, and Ford will fight it out for world championship honours in 2017, with BMW joining the fray in 2018.