Jeannette: AO Has “No Definitive Plans” for GTP/Hypercar

Photo: Eric Le Galliot/MPS Agency

AO Racing currently has “no definitive plans” for an expansion into the top class prototype ranks according to team principal Gunnar Jeannette, who said they’re “not trying to rush” into a program.

Jeannette revealed last August to Sportscar365 that the Illinois-based team was in talks with manufacturers, with the target of stepping into either GTP or Hypercar competition by 2027.

“Looking at it in the right manner, hopefully that looks like a decision being made, ideally towards the end of this year (2025), lining stuff up in ’26, and actually racing in ’27 [or] maybe the end of ’26,” he said in August 2025.

When asked last weekend at Le Mans for an update and whether fielding a car next year is still the target, Jeannette replied “no.”

“We continue to have discussions but we’re not going to come out in the press and start talking about who we’ve been talking to,” he added. “That’s not how we operate.

“Being partnered with the right manufacturer is the most important thing. We’re not trying to rush it.”

Jeannette indicated the forthcoming 2030 top class regulations, which will be presented in bullet-point form during Friday’s annual ACO press conference, could have a significant influence on the team’s future top-class prospects.

“The 2030 regs are potentially a good thing for all manufacturers,” he said. “But I think that being said, it’s hard to commit to something when you don’t exactly know what the rules are going to be in 2030.

“I think that’s certainly something that is being taken into account on all fronts.

“We’re excited to see what does or doesn’t get announced this week.”

Jeannette continued to downplay any imminent program for the team when asked directly about whether they plan to remain in LMP2 and GTD Pro next year.

“It’s hard to say at this point,” he said. “But there’s no definitive plans [for GTP/Hypercar]… I’m never going to say never on any of that stuff, but the likelihood is smaller than it is larger at this point.”

AO currently fields a factory-supported Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class, as well as LMP2 entries in both the WeatherTech Championship and European Le Mans Series, the latter in partnership with TF Sport.

It’s joint effort with the Tom Ferrier-led operation is competing in this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team heads in as defending LMP2 Pro-Am class winners, while sporting a new AO character in ‘Rockie the Pegasus’ following a commercial tie-up with Mobil 1.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John