Laurin Heinrich and Laurens Vanthoor will swap roles at Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2027

Porsche has officially laid an important first stone in its future plan by Endurance by announcing the signing of Laurin Heinrich to his official team for the 2027 season IMSAAt just 24 years old, the German will compete in the entire North American championship at the wheel of the 963, marking a linear progression within the Stuttgart brand. "Porsche has played a fundamental role in my career from the very beginning.", confides the German pilot. "I therefore feel a very strong connection with the brand and I am delighted to be able to fight for the IMSA title with Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2027."

Having joined the Porsche fold in 2019, the former junior driver for the German marque has steadily climbed the ranks. Crowned GTD Pro champion in 2024 driving a 911 GT3 R with AO, he quickly established himself as one of the manufacturer's most promising talents. The 2026 season confirmed this momentum: entered as the third driver in the number 7 963, Laurin Heinrich contributed to overall victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, before also winning at Laguna Seca with the customer team JDC-Miller MotorSports. This consistency and versatility convinced Porsche to entrust him with a full program.

No IMSA withdrawal in sight

Beyond the simple sporting choice, this announcement sends a strong signal: Porsche confirms the continuation of its commitment to prototype racing in IMSA, despite rumors in recent months suggesting a possible withdrawal after 2026, as was the case in WEC last year. The promotion of German is thus part of a long-term strategy, combining internal development and technical stability around the LMDh.

Meanwhile, Laurens Vanthoor's role is evolving. A full-time driver this season alongside Kévin Estre, the Belgian will step in as the third driver for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds in 2027. This deliberate repositioning is accompanied by an openness to new challenges. "My career as an official Porsche driver has brought me tremendous success over the past ten years.", he explains. "But I also have a big personal dream that I want to pursue."

The 34-year-old driver indeed aims to return to the Le Mans circuit in 2027. To achieve this, he is expected to join a new manufacturer competing in the WEC's Hypercar category. This would be a smooth transition for Porsche, allowing the manufacturer to maintain its experience in major races while freeing up a seat for the next generation. The remaining details of the team roster still need to be clarified, particularly the situation of Kévin Estre, whose future is the subject of much speculation, with a possible move to... Toyota in the pipeline. The Frenchman could also follow the same model as that used for Vanthoor: stay with Porsche. One thing is certain: with this first announcement, Porsche officially launches the restructuring of its team for after 2026, focusing on youth and continuity to remain at the top of world endurance racing.

With Valentin Glo

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