Porsche Motorsport has announced changes in its IMSA GTP driver line-up for next week’s TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Chief among them is Laurin Heinrich returning to Porsche Penske Motorsport for the first time since the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring weekend. However, the young German driver, who currently sits second in the GTP Drivers’ Championship standings, will be in the #6 Penske Porsche 963 alongside Kévin Estre, and replacing Laurens Vanthoor.
To replace Heinrich, JDC-Miller MotorSports has brought back fellow Porsche factory driver Nico Müller to drive its 2025-spec #5 Porsche 963. Müller recently wrapped up the 2025-26 FIA Formula E World Championship season as a driver for the Porsche factory Formula E Team, and last drove for JDC-Miller at Indy a year ago.
“We want to give Laurin Heinrich the best possible chance in the fight for the IMSA drivers’ title, and we believe this is the best way to do that,” said Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh for Porsche. “It wasn’t an easy decision. We thank Laurens Vanthoor for his understanding in this unique situation.”
Vanthoor remarked, “Unfortunately, the current season hasn’t gone as hoped with our #6 car. After the crash in the last race at Road America, we no longer have a chance in the championship.
“Since Laurin is the highest-ranked Porsche driver in the championship, I’m happy to step aside to give him the chance to drive our car and maximise his chances.
“I’ll be back on the grid for the Petit Le Mans at the end of the season. We’ve set very high goals for that race, because neither I nor the Porsche Penske Motorsport team has ever won it. That’s about to change. I wish Laurin the best of luck and success at the race in Indianapolis.”
Heinrich drove the sister #7 Penske Porsche to victories at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and at Sebring with co-drivers Felipe Nasr and Julien Andlauer. Meanwhile, Estre is still in search of his first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race victory.
Images © Jack Webster / dailysportscar.com
