Heinrich “Never Imagined” Hypercar Chance Four Years Ago

Photo: Javier Jimenez/DPPI

Porsche Penske Motorsport FIA World Endurance Championship debutant Laurin Heinrich says he “could never have imagined” he would get the opportunity to race one of the manufacturer’s 963s four years ago when he won the Porsche Junior shootout.

The 24-year German has enjoyed a rapid rise up Porsche’s pyramid since his shootout success, winning the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany title before claiming the GTD Pro spoils in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship last year.

Heinrich was then promoted to the No. 5 Porsche alongside Julien Andlauer and Mathieu Jaminet for the Bahrain season finale this weekend and says winning the shootout was pivotal in securing the “dream” opportunity.

“If I think back at the end of 2021, I could never have imagined I would be standing here now in Bahrain in the factory team,” he told Sportscar365. “I think it’s the goal of every driver in the Porsche one-make series to get this experience at least one time.

“It was not always easy – the chance I got invited into the Junior shootout was very crucial because I didn’t really have the funding from my own family to continue racing at this point. It was hit or miss in the Junior shootout and I got the spot and that paved the way for me to be here today.”

Heinrich set the third-fastest time of any Porsche driver in the third free practice session in Bahrain and is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“I know there are expectations I have in myself, that the team has in me and I want to fulfill those expectations and use my potential,” he said. “It’s quite a steep learning curve coming here – I’ve never done WEC, I’ve never been to this circuit even.

“Every practice lap I got was very valuable and I could chip away hundredth by hundredth and most importantly also find more confidence for the race tomorrow.”

Heinrich’s chances of securing a full-time 963 drive for next year has been restricted by Porsche’s decision to no longer run factory cars in the WEC, but there could still be the potential for him to compete in the WeatherTech Championship.

However, Heinrich said that discussions about 2026 have yet to take place amid a hectic end to this year.

“I think it’s still early days,” he said when asked about the possibility of a GTP drive.

“To be honest, I haven’t heard about it yet. I’ve still got many races to go – the one this weekend, the FIA GT World Cup next weekend [in Macau] and then I go to Sepang for Asian Le Mans Series so I’m still in the middle of my season and 2026 still has some time to come.

“My goal, anyone’s goal, is to be a factory driver. That’s still my goal but I just try to focus on this weekend because I want to learn as much as possible, I want to see where I am and what possibilities there are for next year – this is still to be decided.”