DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Porsche Penske Motorsport has confirmed the first part of its 2027 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) plans in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with a switch in roles among two of its drivers.
Porsche factory driver Laurin Heinrich will line up as a regular driver for Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2027. This means the 24-year-old will contest all rounds of the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Porsche 963 next season. Heinrich’s motorsport career has been closely linked to the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer since 2019.
Back in 2024, the former Porsche Junior was crowned Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) champion in the IMSA in a 911 GT3 R (with AO Racing). The current season has also got off to a successful start for Heinrich: as the third driver in the No. 7 hybrid prototype of the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team, the German celebrated overall victories in the endurance races at Daytona and Sebring and also won at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with Porsche customer team JDC-Miller MotorSports.
“Porsche has played a fundamental role in my racing career right from the start,” Heinrich said. “I therefore feel a strong connection to the company and am delighted to be competing for the IMSA title with Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2027.”
Laurens Vanthoor will support the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory team as a third driver in the Michelin Endurance Cup next season. These endurance races are part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Belgian has secured numerous victories with the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer since 2017 and won titles such as the 2024 FIA WEC Drivers’ World Championship. This means Vanthoor will remain connected with Porsche beyond 2026.
“My journey as a Porsche factory driver has brought me tremendous success over the past 10 years, and I am very grateful for that. Together, we want to win more trophies and titles. Nevertheless, I personally have a big dream that I would like to pursue. I am very happy for Laurin Heinrich that he will be joining the permanent IMSA roster at Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2027. He absolutely deserves this opportunity.”