Laurin Heinrich (born 26 September 2001) is a German racing driver who competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for AO Racing driving the No. 77 "Rexy" Porsche 911 GT3. He was selected as the 2022 Porsche Junior following the shootout at MotorLand Aragón.[1]
| Laurin Heinrich | |
|---|---|
 Heinrich on the Porsche Supercup podium at Red Bull Ring in 2022 | |
| Nationality |  German |
| Born | 26 September 2001 Kürnach, Germany |
| IMSA SportsCar Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2024 |
| Current team | AO Racing |
| Racing licence |  FIA Gold |
| Car number | 77 |
| Starts | 10 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Podiums | 5 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2024 |
| Previous series | |
| 2017 2019 | ADAC Formula 4 Porsche Super Sports Cup Germany |
| Championship titles | |
| 2019 2022 2024 | Porsche Super Sports Cup Germany Porsche Carrera Cup Germany IMSA SportsCar Championship (GTD Pro) |
| Last updated on: 20 October 2024. | |
Career
editEarly career
editHeinrich began karting at the age of eight, initially as a hobby, before taking on the sport competitively as he grew older.[2] As a child, Heinrich had aspirations of being a pilot rather than a racing driver, hence his early treatment of motorsports.[3] After scoring titles in Swissauto kart competitions in his youth, Heinrich later cited his early aspirations as moving into Formula 4,[4] which he fulfilled in 2017. At the age of 15, Heinrich entered the 2017 ADAC Formula 4 Championship with his family team, dubbed Heinrich Motorsport.[5] In his rookie season of Formula 4 competition, the small outfit struggled, with Heinrich finishing no higher than 14th overall in a race and electing to forego the final round of the season at the Hockenheimring. Heinrich wouldn't return to single-seater competition the following season, and didn't return to professional racing until 2019.
Porsche competition
editIn 2019, Heinrich took part in the Porsche Sports Cup Germany, claiming the 5E class title with six victories from ten races. In September, Heinrich made his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, taking part in the Sachsenring round with CarTech Motorsport.[6] The following season, Heinrich began competing full-time in the series, driving for T3/HRT Motorsport. In September's joint-race between the German and French Carrera Cup competitions at Circuit de la Sarthe, Heinrich claimed his first podium in the German championship.[7] He would secure three additional overall podiums that season, three of which occurred during the triple-header at the Red Bull Ring,[8] finishing fourth in the overall points classification. He also secured the Rookie title, awarded to drivers taking part in the full-time championship for the first time. Heinrich also made his debut in the Porsche Supercup during the 2020 season, making two guest starts at the Red Bull Ring for MRS GT-Racing after one of the team's drivers was unable to enter the country due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions.[9] Heinrich placed tenth in both events, but didn't score championship points as he was registered as a guest driver.[10]
For 2021, Heinrich embarked on a dual program in both the globe-trotting Porsche Supercup and domestic Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, taking on both series with Huber Racing.[11] Heinrich enjoyed an impressive rookie season in the former championship, taking his first ever Supercup victory at Zandvoort in September.[12] Heinrich claimed additional podium finishes at Spa and Monza, finishing fourth in the overall championship and highest in the Rookie class. Domestically, Heinrich claimed his first Carrera Cup Germany victory in 2021 as well, taking overall honors in the second race at Oschersleben.[13] During the next round at the Red Bull Ring, Heinrich claimed his second race victory and took the championship lead heading into the round at Monza.[14] He would finish the season with eight total podiums from 15 races, taking fourth in the championship. At the end of 2021, Heinrich was selected to compete in the Porsche Junior Shootout at MotorLand Aragón. At the end of the competition, Heinrich was named as Porsche's Junior driver for the 2022 season, which featured a €225,000 scholarship towards a drive in the 2022 Porsche Supercup.[15]
Heinrich began his Porsche Junior campaign with a drive in the Dubai 24 Hour, taking part in the 992 Am class with Huber Racing.[16] 2022 saw Heinrich return to both the Porsche Supercup and Carrera Cup Germany, once again driving for Huber Racing. His Supercup campaign featured once race victory, at Silverstone,[17] and four total podium finishes, taking a career-best third in the championship. The Carrera Cup Germany, however, saw Heinrich feature early and often at the front of the field. Over 16 races, Heinrich claimed six race victories, including a weekend sweep at Spa[18] and the Sachsenring. After his double victory at the Sachsenring round, Heinrich secured the series championship with two races to spare.[19] At the end of the 2022 season, Heinrich joined 311RS Motorsport to compete in the final round of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup North America, deputizing for Leh Keen.[20] After crashing out of the first race of the weekend with brake problems,[21] Heinrich won the second race.[22]
Ahead of the 2023 season, Heinrich was promoted to contracted Porsche Driver status.[23] Heinrich was also selected for financial support from the ADAC and DMSB as part of their Motorsport Team Germany program.[24] With that backing, he took on a drive in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for the first time in his career, piloting a Porsche 911 GT3 R for KÜS Team Bernhard.[25] During his maiden season, Heinrich claimed two podium finishes, finishing second at both the Nürburgring[26] and Red Bull Ring, adding his first pole position in the series in Austria as well.[27] He supplemented his DTM program with a drive in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Rutronik Racing, joining Dennis Olsen and Thomas Preining in a Pro class entry.[28] The trio claimed a single podium in the final round at Barcelona, finishing the season 7th in the overall points classification.[29] Heinrich also added a one-off appearance in the Sprint Cup alongside Ayhancan Güven at Zandvoort.[30]
Sim racing
editHeinrich describes himself as a 'hybrid driver,' and he frequently competes in officially-sanctioned sim racing events alongside his real-world endeavors.[31] From a young age, Heinrich competed in high-level virtual motorsports, taking part in the Blancpain GT Series on iRacing while competing in the real-world ADAC Formula 4 Championship.[32] Heinrich also competed in the 2022–23 Le Mans Virtual Series, contributing to Porsche Team Coanda's championship victory with a victory at Sebring[33] and a runner-up finish in the season finale at Le Mans.[34]
Racing record
editCareer summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ADAC Formula 4 Championship | Heinrich Motorsport | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27th |
| Rennsport Rössler | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2019 | Porsche Sports Cup Germany - 5E | Team Speed Monkeys | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 221 | 1st |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Germany | Team CarTech Motorsport by Nigrin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2020 | Porsche Carrera Cup Germany | T3/HRT Motorsport | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 117 | 4th |
| Porsche Supercup | MRS GT-Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | |
| 2021 | Porsche Carrera Cup Germany | VAN BERGHE Huber Racing | 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 214 | 4th |
| Porsche Supercup | Nebulus Racing by Huber | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 110 | 4th | |
| 2022 | Porsche Carrera Cup Germany | SSR Huber Racing | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 297 | 1st |
| Porsche Supercup | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 123 | 3rd | ||
| Porsche Carrera Cup North America | 311RS Motorsport | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | NC† | |
| Nürburgring Endurance Series - AT(-G) | Four Motors Bioconcept-Car | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ? | ? | |
| 24H GT Series - 992 | Huber Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | |
| 2023 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | KÜS Team Bernhard | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 94 | 12th |
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | Rutronik Racing | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 7th | |
| GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup | CLRT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 23rd | |
| Intercontinental GT Challenge | Rutronik Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 18th | |
| Huber Motorsport | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 24H GT Series - GT3 | Herberth Motorsport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | NC† | |
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - SP9 | Dinamic GT | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | |
| 24 Hours of Nürburgring - SP9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | DNF | ||
| 2023-24 | Asian Le Mans Series - GT | Herberth Motorsport | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 18th |
| 2024 | GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | Schumacher CLRT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0* | NC* |
| IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro | AO Racing | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3122 | 1st | |
| GT World Challenge Asia | Origine Motorsport | 6 | 1 | 1 | ? | 3 | 74 | 7th | |
| GT World Challenge America - Pro | Wright Motorsports | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 50 | 7th | |
| FIA GT World Cup | Schumacher CLRT | ||||||||
| 2024-25 | Asian Le Mans Series - GT | Origine Motorsport |
* Season still in progress.
Complete Porsche Supercup results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | MRS GT-Racing | RBR 10 |
RBR 10 |
HUN | SIL | SIL | CAT | SPA | MNZ | NC | 0 |
| 2021 | Huber Racing | MON 14 |
RBR 8 |
RBR 4 |
HUN 5 |
SPA 3 |
ZND 1 |
MNZ 5 |
MNZ 2 |
4th | 110 |
| 2022 | SSR Huber Racing | IMO 4 |
MON 3 |
SIL 1 |
RBR 2 |
LEC 5 |
SPA 3 |
ZND 5 |
MNZ 10 |
3rd | 123 |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe results
editGT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rutronik Racing | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Pro | MNZ 10 |
LEC Ret |
SPA 6H 12 |
SPA 12H 8 |
SPA 24H 5 |
NÜR 5 |
CAT 3 |
7th | 38 |
* Season still in progress.
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CLRT | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Pro | BRH 1 |
BRH 2 |
MIS 1 |
MIS 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
VAL 1 |
VAL 2 |
ZAN 1 16 |
ZAN 2 10 |
23rd | 0.5 |
*Season still in progress.
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | KÜS Team Bernhard | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | OSC 1 7 |
OSC 2 9 |
ZAN 1 Ret |
ZAN 2 Ret |
NOR 1 10 |
NOR 2 7 |
NÜR 1 19 |
NÜR 2 2 |
LAU 1 DSQ |
LAU 2 Ret |
SAC 1 12 |
SAC 2 Ret |
RBR 1 2 |
RBR 2 16 |
HOC 1 10 |
HOC 2 6 |
12th | 94 |
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AO Racing | GTD Pro | Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) | Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6 | DAY 2 |
SEB 9 |
LGA 1 |
DET 1 |
WGL 6 |
MOS 3 |
ELK 4 |
VIR 7 |
IMS 1 |
ATL 11 |
1st | 3122 |
References
edit- ^ Goodwin, Graham (7 December 2021). "Laurin Heinrich Selected As 2022 Porsche Junior". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "FORMEL-4-PREMIERE FÜR LAURIN HEINRICH" [Formula 4 premiere for Laurin Heinrich]. Motorsport XL (in German). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Laurin Heinrich talks about his title win, simulator training and left-handedness". Porsche Sport. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Großpietsch, Dominik (27 October 2016). "Laurin Heinrich will in die Formel 4" [Laurin Heinrich wants to get into Formula 4]. Main Post (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Zuber, Otto (20 April 2017). "Laurin Heinrich: Auf den Spuren von Sebastian Vettel" [Laurin Heinrich: In the footsteps of Sebastian Vettel]. Speedweek (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "It's a dream come true to announce that I will debut in @CarreraCupDE next week at Sachsenring with CarTech Motorsport!! Big thanks for the opportunity, we'll give everything 👊 #CarreraCupDE". @laurinheinrich_. 20 September 2019. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Kastner, Olivier (29 September 2020). "CARRERA CUP: GLANZVOLLER AUFTAKT FÜR LAURIN HEINRICH IN LE MANS" [Carrera Cup: Brilliant start for Laurin Heinrich in Le Mans]. WOB (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Kastner, Olivier (19 October 2020). "PORSCHE CARRERA CUP: LAURIN HEINRICH MIT DREI PODIUMSPLÄTZEN" [Porsche Carrera Cup: Laurin Heinrich with three podium places]. WOB (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "KEINE RENNPAUSE FÜR LAURIN HEINRICH" [No break from racing for Laurin Heinrich]. Motorsport XL (in German). 15 October 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Kastner, Olivier (7 July 2020). "LAURIN HEINRICH: AUS DER ABITURPRÜFUNG IN DIE TOP 10" [Laurin Heinrich: From the Abitur Exam to the top 10]. WOB (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (9 March 2021). "Porsche Carrera Cup: Laurin Heinrich für Huber Racing – Förderung von SSR Performance" [Porsche Carrera Cup: Laurin Heinrich for Huber Racing – Promotion of SSR Performance]. GT-Place (in German). Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Heinrich takes Porsche Supercup win, Evans still in contention for Championship". Speedcafe. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Porsche-Carrera-Cup Oschersleben 2021: Premierensieg für Laurin Heinrich" [Porsche Carrera Cup Oschersleben 2021: Maiden victory for Laurin Heinrich]. Motorsport-Total (in German). 16 May 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Laurin Heinrich wins in Spielberg and is the new championship leader". Porsche Newsroom. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Laurin Heinrich named Porsche Junior and receives comprehensive support". Porsche Newsroom. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Dagys, John (12 January 2022). "Dubai Wednesday Notebook". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
Newly named Porsche Junior Laurin Heinrich will be competing in two 24-hour races this weekend, with the German driver entered in Huber Racing's No. 923 Porsche in 992-Am while also taking part in the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans in a factory Porsche 911 RSR-19.
- ^ "Porsche Junior Laurin Heinrich wins Supercup race in Silverstone". Porsche Newsroom. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Laurin Heinrich kicks off the new season with a double victory". Porsche Newsroom. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Laurin Heinrich is the new champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland". Porsche Newsroom. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Dagys, John (19 September 2022). "Porsche Junior Heinrich Joins 311RS for Road Atlanta Finale". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Grace, Jonathan (29 September 2022). "Thompson Wins Race 1; Closes Points Gap Entering Title Decider". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
Thompson inherited the lead of the race as pole-sitter Laurin Heinrich spun in Turn 1, backing his No. 12 311RS Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car into the barriers with a brake problem.
- ^ Grace, Jonathan (30 September 2022). "Heinrich Wins Race 2; Thompson Crowned Champion". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (19 December 2022). "Weekly Racing Roundup (12.19.22)". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
Former Porsche Junior Laurin Heinrich has been promoted to contracted Porsche Driver status for the 2023 season.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (16 January 2023). "Weekly Racing Roundup (1.16.23)". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
Six sports car drivers are among the 33 young athletes selected for Motorsports Team Germany... Finn Gehrsitz, Max Hesse, Jan Marschalkowski, Laurin Heinrich, Daniel Gregor and Theo Oeverhaus will all benefit from the program this year.
- ^ "Motorsport: Kürnacher Laurin Heinrich fährt künftig DTM" [Motorsport: Kürnacher Laurin Heinrich will drive DTM in the future]. Mainfranken24. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ Kilbey, Stephen (6 August 2023). "Paul Steers Grasser To Sunday Win". Dailysportscar. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
Laurin Heinrich... climbed nine places and made it onto the DTM podium for the first time.
- ^ Rehman, Mohammed (23 September 2023). "Heinrich grasps maiden Race 1 pole position in wet qualifying". Motorsport Week. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Rutronik Racing dévoile l'équipage Pro de sa Porsche" [Rutronik Racing unveils the Pro crew of its Porsche]. Endurance-Info. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (1 October 2023). "ASP Defends Endurance Cup Title; Ferrari Takes Barcelona 1-2". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
Fuoco, Serra and Davide Rigon took second, ahead of the Rutronik Racing Porsche driven by Thomas Preining, Laurin Heinrich and Dennis Olsen...
- ^ Euwema, Davey (10 October 2023). "CLRT Enters Pro Porsche in Sprint Cup Finale". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Meet the Porsche Supercup star using sim racing to improve his driving skills". Porsche. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Grolleman, Jaap (24 June 2017). "Youngster Laurin Heinrich about racing in karts, German F4 and iRacing". Virtual Racing School. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (3 December 2022). "Le Mans Virtual Series: Porsche Coanda dominates 500 Miles of Sebring". Traxion.gg. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Porsche Coanda Esports wins championship title in the virtual Le Mans series". Porsche Sport. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
External links
edit- Laurin Heinrich at Motorsport.com
- Laurin Heinrich at Heusinkveld