AO Racing Confirms Full Season LMP2, GTD Pro Lineups

AO Racing has revealed its lineups for its joint LMP2-GTD Pro effort in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with Paul-Loup Chatin and Laurin Heinrich joining the team for the first time.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the Chicago area-based team will expand its presence for its sophomore campaign in the championship, moving from GTD to GTD Pro while also adding an LMP2 effort incorporating Bronze-rated driver PJ Hyett.

Hyett, who will embark on an Asian Le Mans Series program with Proton Competition in preparation for the WeatherTech Championship season, is to be joined for the full season by Chatin.

The French driver, an LMP2 regular, won the LMP2 title with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and Ben Keating this year.

“I am really excited to join AO Racing for the 2024 IMSA season and I’d like to thank PJ and Gunnar [Jeanette] 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.”

Aboard the team’s GTD Pro-entered Porsche 911 GT3 R, Sebastian Priaulx will be joined by DTM podium finisher Laurin Heinrich.

Priaulx formed part of AO’s full season lineup in GTD during its debut season, while Heinrich is set for his WeatherTech Championship bow.

Heinrich has made sporadic U.S. starts in recent years in the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America as well as the Indianapolis 8 Hour, where he took pole position for Huber Motorsport last month.

“After a few guest appearances in the U.S. the last two years I’m over the moon to join AO Racing for the 2024 IMSA GTD Pro season full-time,” Heinrich said.

“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.”