Porsche announce re-shuffle in their GTP lineups

Credit: Dominic Loyer

Reigning Champions, Porsche, have announced their IMSA GTP lineup for the 2026 season, which includes some of their ex-WEC stars.

There was plenty of speculation to which drivers would be racing in the Porsche 963s in 2026, after six of the German team's factory drivers became available when Porsche left the World Endurance Championship (WEC) after the final round of the 2025 season.

Three time IMSA Champion Felipe Nasr will remain in the No.7 car, sharing it with Julien Andlauer who will make his debut full season in the series.

Lauren Heinrich will take the third seat in the No.7 for the Endurance Cup rounds, the first time he has driven in the GTP class. Heinrich has been successful in the GTD class in the last few years, winning the Championship with AO Racing and the famous "Rexy" livery in 2024.

Two of Porsche's strongest drivers from the WEC (and 2024 WEC Champions) will continue their partnership in the IMSA next season. Laurens Vanthoor and Kévin Estre will pilot the No.6 car that won the 2025 Team's Championship .

Although Estre's ability should never be doubted, he is yet to win a race in IMSA, having not competed in a full season of the IMSA since 2014. On the other hand, Vanthoor has proven to have a magic touch in America, winning Daytona and Sebring in 2025, as well as having two Championships in the series.

Reigning IMSA Champion, Matt Campbell, will remain in the No.6 car, but only for the Endurance rounds.

Its worth noting Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy are not a part of Porsche's 2026 lineup, in Jaminet's case this is because he left Porsche at the end of 2025, however it remains a mystery why Tandy will not be racing a 963 in 2026.

There is no doubt Porsche will have the strongest lineup in the IMSA next season. The other teams will need to work overtime if they want to bring the challenge to their German competitors.