+ Pro Porsche features Heinrich, Picariello and Andlauer
AO Racing will make its Intercontinental GT Challenge debut next month when its latest, samurai-inspired character, Bushi Rex, contests the 50th Suzuka 1000km in partnership with Absolute Racing.
Its Pro class Porsche also features top factory talent in the shape of Laurin Heinrich, Alessio Picariello and Julien Andlauer. All three have raced with AO in the team’s native IMSA SportsCar Championship, while Picariello has extensive experience of the Absolute squad from his time in Asia.
None of the trio are in IGTC drivers’ championship contention. However, they will be hoping to consolidate Porsche’s eight-point advantage over Mercedes-AMG at the top of the manufacturers’ standings. Two races remain in SRO’s globe-trotting GT3 series, which concludes at the Indianapolis 8 Hour in October.
AO Racing arrives in IGTC with multiple IMSA and European Le Mans Series titles to its name. But it is Rexy, the green dinosaur that has adorned its Porsches since 2022, that established the team as a firm favourite. Several other characters – of which Bushi Rex will become the latest at Suzuka – have also made guest and full-season appearances during that time.
'Bushi' (武士) means 'samurai' in Japanese.
“AO is excited to partner with Absolute Racing and Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific for the 2026 Suzuka 1000km,” said AO team principal Gunnar Jeannette. “With a stellar driver line-up and an amazing new character, we are very much looking forward to putting on a show for our Japanese fans. This will be our first foray into Intercontinental GT Challenge, and we believe we have all the pieces in place to fight at the front.”
Its partnership with Absolute sees two of Porsche’s top regional outfits teaming up on the biggest stage. Absolute currently leads the GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS teams’ and drivers’ standings, and also finished second and fourth overall at the 1000km last season.
“We're delighted to partner with AO Racing for Bushi Rex’s first adventure,” added Absolute’s director Fabien Fior. “It makes the occasion even more special to do so alongside Porsche at such an iconic event as the Suzuka 1000km. We’re confident Bushi Rex will capture the imagination of fans across Asia. Alessio is already part of the Absolute Racing family, while Laurin and Julien are two exceptionally talented drivers. We have every confidence in the trio's ability to deliver a strong result.”
The entry known as AO by Absolute, as well as Bushi Rex, hits the track for the first time on September 11 when testing begins at Suzuka.
