AO Racing’s Laurin Heinrich recently had his first opportunity to test one of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s factory 963s at Road Atlanta and was immediately impressed.
“It was cool,” said the young German, and the outgoing IMSA GTD PRO Champion from 2024. “It was actually for me quite a bit emotional also, I would say, because it was at this place three years ago where I drove my first laps ever in the United States. And what has happened since then is history.
“Driving a top-class prototype with the factory team for the first time, exactly at this place where it all started, sort of closed the loop for me. And it was such a great experience, for sure! I don’t have any previous prototype experience, so it was quite eye-opening and different to what I was used to from before. But usually, I adapt quite quickly, and I was also happy with my performance.”
Of course, that test would come just a few days before Porsche Penske Motorsport’s WEC withdrawal was announced, adding a degree of difficulty for a potential GTP step-up for Heinrich.
“The recent announcement certainly brings in a lot of dynamic into the whole drivers’ market. In the end, I’d just say I’m open-minded. I don’t know yet what I will race next year,” Heinrich admitted.
“I can only influence the things that I can influence, which means the upcoming races. So I will definitely give my best. I’m already thankful for what PPM has done, the opportunity that they’ve given me, and now it’s up to them and the management to decide how things will proceed.
That does mean that Petit Le Mans could be Heinrich’s last race with AO Racing and behind the wheel of “Rexy,” with whom he’s been synonymous since he made his title-winning IMSA debut last year.
“To be honest, I’ve never thought about this could be my last race with Rexy, but thinking about it, obviously it’s quite emotional,” he shared. “I have shared two years with Rexy, with AO Racing. I was there since day one of the GTD PRO programme. I remember we were testing in December of ’23 in Daytona, meeting Gunnar (Jeannette), PJ (Hyett), everyone for the first time.
“And now looking back, how far we’ve come, what we’ve accomplished is not only great for the team, but also for myself. In the end, I could prove myself and accomplish a lot, not only in the United States, but also for my whole career I could develop myself – which I’m forever thankful for.
“And to be part of this programme is a huge honour. I think, maybe in a decade or two, we will look back at Rexy, hopefully like a Rothmans car or a Pink Pig or something like this!”
Feature image © Porsche
