AO Racing’s sophomore year in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will see PJ Hyett moving to LMP2 with defending LMP2 champ Paul-Loup Chatin alongside. Its Porsche 911 GT3 R, meanwhile, will carry the red number boards of GTD PRO in 2024, with the names Sebastian Priaulx and Laurin Heinrich above the door.
“I am really excited to join AO Racing for the 2024 IMSA season and I’d like to thank PJ and Gunnar 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.”
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Hyett’s move to LMP2 left an opening in the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R. Priaulx will remain in the car for 2024, joined by Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland champion and Porsche-selected driver Laurin Heinrich. Priaulx drove a strong season with co-driver and team principal Hyett. The 22-year-old British driver will move up to the PRO class, ready to build on the team’s first season of progress.
“Going off of what I learned this year, this is going to be great,” said Priaulx. “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.”
German driver Heinrich, also 22 brings 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 program 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 livery for the team’s cars, endurance lineups, and 2024 partners will be announced at a later date. The 2024 season will begin with the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 27-28.