AO Racing has confirmed the full-season drivers for its 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign, which will see it expand to a two-car team with the addition of an LMP2 class ORECA 07.
The team’s new full-season Gibson-powered ORECA 07 will be driven by team principal PJ Hyett and 32-year-old French ace Paul-Loup Chatin. They will be joined by Sebastian Priaulx and Laurin Heinrich, who will drive the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, which is moving from GTD to GTD Pro for 2024.
Eager for more competition against his fellow bronze drivers, Hyett has opted to move to the LMP2 class and will compete with Chatin, who brings a wealth of prototype experience to the team, including a 2021 Rolex 24 At Daytona win and 2023 IMSA WeatherTech title. The 32-year-old Frenchman is signed for the full seven-race championship, five of which will be endurance events.
“I am really excited to join AO Racing for the 2024 IMSA season and I’d like to thank PJ & Gunnar (Jeanette) for their trust,” said Chatin. “I am impressed by the professionalism and performance the team has achieved in such a short time. It is a great pride for me to support them in this turning point towards LMP2. The challenge is huge, but I know that AO Racing has the right people to make it possible. I’m really looking forward to being at the Roar to start this new season.”
Meanwhile, the team’s GTD Pro Porsche sees Priaulx return for a second season with the team. The 22-year-old is hoping to build on a strong 2023 season, which he shared with Hyett in the fan-favourite ‘Rexy’ liveried Porsche. For Year 2, Priaulx moves from GTD to GTD Pro and is excited to go up against an elite set of teams and drivers.
“I’m excited to be joining AO Racing again for next year,” said Priaulx. “Going off of what I learned this year, this is going to be great. It’s lovely to play on the same team that I was on this year and keep building on that. Stepping up to GTD Pro is a good step and we can definitely win some big races. Having Laurin as a teammate is great as well. I’m very excited for the start of the year. This is a big opportunity to go out there and fight for some massive victories. I’m excited.”
For the campaign, Priaulx will be joined by 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland champion and Porsche-selected driver Laurin Heinrich. Also 22 years of age, the young German brings with him strong promise as he steps into his first season in the IMSA WeatherTech championship.
“After a few guest appearances in the US the last two years I’m over the moon to join AO Racing for the 2024 IMSA GTD Pro season full-time,” said Heinrich.
“This programme has always been a dream of mine and achieving that already now in my young career together with AO Racing makes it even more special. After my GT3 debut season in 2023 I could learn a lot, so now I feel more than ready to take up this challenge together with Sebastian Priaulx.”
The team’s liveries and endurance drivers for next year will be revealed in due course.
