Laurin Heinrich will return to defend his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO title, with Porsche ace Klaus Bachler returning to the series full-time to partner him in the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Porsche factory driver Alessio Picariello will join in for the endurance rounds as the team attempts to capture one of the big races with “Rexy.”
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Porsche in the GTD PRO category for 2025,” said team principal Gunnar Jeannette. “Winning the championship in our first year in such a highly competitive class still feels surreal, and we’re eager to carry that momentum into the new season. Laurin showcased his speed and competitiveness in Rexy throughout 2024, and with Klaus and Alessio joining him, we’re confident we have a strong line-up. The introduction of torque sensors is a new development for IMSA teams in GTD, but we’re optimistic that Porsche’s experience in 2024 will give us a strong foundation to stay competitive from the outset.”
Heinrich started the 2024 season with Seb Priaulx before contesting the latter half of the season with a variety of Porsche factory drivers. Heinrich and Priaulx scored a pair of victories, and the team added a third with Michael Christensen at Indianapolis. Those victories (that earned Rexy three gold teeth) and the strength of the rest of the season gave the team the title in its first season in GTD PRO, along with the prestigious Michelin All Hands Award, recognizing the crew with the least time spent in pit lane.
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“After clinching the 2024 title, I’m very happy to be back with AO Racing and Rexy,” said Heinrich. “I enjoyed working with Klaus for one race last season, so I’m pleased to have him back, and with Alessio, we have another quick driver from the Porsche family. Personally, I’d love to accomplish my goal of winning one of the ‘big ones’ such as Daytona, Sebring and Petit. Thanks to AO Racing and Porsche for giving us such a strong package to come back and try to defend our title.”
Bachler’s last full season in IMSA competition was 2023 with Pfaff Motorsports. The 2023-24 Asian Le Mans Series GT champ with Pure Rxcing had three starts in the WeatherTech Championship last season.
“I’m really excited to be back in IMSA, competing in the GTD PRO class. Partnering with AO is something I’m truly looking forward to,” Bachler said. “With Laurin and Alessio, I have two incredibly fast and smart teammates whom I respect and enjoy working with. A big thank you to Porsche Motorsport and AO for this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for the new season to start!”
Added Picariello: “I am very happy to join AO Racing, Laurin, and Klaus as the third driver for the long races in IMSA. I respect them both a lot and I’m sure we will form a strong trio together with the whole crew in order to fight for those big trophies. I am also looking forward to jumping into the now-iconic Rexy.”
The 2025 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 23-26, preceded by the Roar Before the 24 test weekend on Jan. 17-19.