AO Racing has confirmed its lineup for the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – as the beloved Rexy the Porsche 911 GT3 “Rawr” defends his IMSA GTD Pro championship with an all-star trio of Porsche drivers.
Reigning and defending 2024 GTD Pro Drivers’ Champion Laurin Heinrich returns for his second season with the team, joined by the reigning FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 Champion Klaus Bachler for the full season. Alessio Picariello, a two-time European Le Mans Series GT Champion, will accompany the team for the five endurance rounds that make up the Michelin Endurance Cup.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Porsche in the GTD Pro category for 2025,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “Winning the championship in our first year in such a highly competitive class still feels surreal, and we’re eager to carry that momentum into the new season.
“Laurin showcased his speed and competitiveness in Rexy throughout 2024, and with Klaus and Alessio joining him, we’re confident we have a strong lineup. The introduction of torque sensors is a new development for IMSA teams in GTD, but we’re optimistic that Porsche’s experience in 2024 will give us a strong foundation to stay competitive from the outset.”
The GTD Pro championship and Rexy’s three victories at Laguna Seca, Detroit, and Indianapolis were just part of the story for AO Racing in 2024. The pit crew of the #77 Porsche also received the Michelin All Hands Award given to the fastest-working crew throughout the season.
AO Racing also enjoyed a successful expansion into LMP2 racing, winning four pole positions in IMSA and one at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for “Spike the LMP2 Dragon” – along with the 2024 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Championship.
“After clinching the 2024 title, I’m very happy to be back with AO Racing and Rexy,” said the self-professed Rexy super fan Heinrich. “I enjoyed working with Klaus for one race last season, so I’m pleased to have him back, and with Alessio, we have another quick driver from the Porsche family. Personally, I’d love to accomplish my goal of winning one of ‘the big ones’ such as Daytona, Sebring, and Petit. Thanks to AO Racing and Porsche for giving us such a strong package to come back and try to defend our title!”
Bachler steps in as a full-season IMSA driver after he helped fill the void at AO Racing left by Seb Priaulx’s sudden departure, precluding his switch to Ford Performance for 2025. Bachler also drove for fellow Porsche customer MDK Motorsport at Daytona and Sebring earlier in the previous year, before going on to help Manthey Pure Rxcing clinch the WEC LMGT3 titles.
“I’m really excited to be back in IMSA, competing in the GTD Pro class. Partnering with AO is something I’m truly looking forward to. With Laurin and Alessio, I have two incredibly fast and smart teammates whom I respect and enjoy working with. A big thank you to Porsche Motorsport and AO for this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for the new season to start!” said the Austrian.
Picariello joins AO Racing after running four IMSA races in Proton Competition’s Porsche 963. The Belgian driver raced full-time in GT World Challenge Asia last season, finishing second in the Overall Championship and winning the Pro-Am Championship with Absolute Racing.
“I am very happy to join AO Racing, Laurin, and Klaus as the third Driver for the long races in IMSA. I respect them both a lot and I’m sure we will form a strong trio together with the whole crew in order to fight for those big trophies. I am also looking forward to jumping into the now-iconic Rexy!” said Picariello.
Team Owner PJ Hyett has already been confirmed to drive in the 2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-Am category for AO Racing by TF Sport; the remainder of AO Racing’s LMP2 drivers in IMSA and ELMS will be announced at a later date.
Images © AO Racing
