Reworked Driver Squad Set for Porsche Penske’s 2026 IMSA GTP Campaign
When you’re at the top, the only way to stay there is to keep moving. That’s the brutal reality of motorsports, and it looks like Porsche Penske Motorsport got the memo. They just dropped a bombshell on their 2026 IMSA GTP driver lineup, and it’s a shuffle that sends ripples through the entire paddock. Forget stability because this is about loading the cannons for another championship assault with a fresh set of gunslingers.
What’s Changing for Porsche’s IMSA Squad?
Let’s cut right to the chase. Felipe Nasr, a man who seems to collect championships and Rolex 24 watches like they’re going out of style, is the only full-time driver from the previous lineup to stick around. He’ll be anchoring the No. 7 Porsche 963, a car he’s practically made his personal office. But he’s getting a new teammate: Julien Andlauer.
Andlauer isn’t a total rookie to IMSA, having cut his teeth in a KellyMoss Porsche GT3, but strapping into a full-season GTP ride is a whole different beast. It’s a massive vote of confidence from the Porsche brass, and now he has to prove he can run with the big dogs every single race weekend.
The real shake-up comes in the No. 6 car. Porsche is bringing over its FIA World Endurance Championship-winning duo, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor. These guys are certified killers in the Hypercar class, and now they’re set to bring that same fire back to IMSA full-time.
For Vanthoor, it’s a return to the series he’s already conquered twice. For Estre, it’s a shot at redemption. Believe it or not, one of the baddest Porsche drivers on the planet has never won an IMSA race. You can bet that’s a statistic he’s dying to erase, and he’ll be driving with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Daytona tri-oval.
Who’s Handling Endurance Duties?
This is where things get shaken up a bit. Matt Campbell, the reigning GTP champion, is being moved from his full-time seat to an endurance-only role in the No. 6 alongside Estre and Vanthoor. Talk about a tough pill to swallow. You win the whole damn thing, and your reward is a part-time gig. That’s the cold, hard nature of this sport.
Porsche clearly wanted to bring their WEC champs over, and someone had to make way. It stings, but having a driver of Campbell’s caliber for the long-haul races is a luxury most teams would kill for. It makes that No. 6 car an immediate favorite for Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans.
Over in the No. 7, another young gun is getting the call-up. Laurin Heinrich, fresh off his GTD PRO championship with the fan-favorite “Rexy” AO Racing Porsche, is leaping into GTP as the third driver for the endurance rounds. This kid has proven he’s got the speed and smarts to win titles in a pressure-cooker environment. Now, he gets to learn from a three-time champion in Nasr and prove he belongs in the fastest prototypes on the grid.
Final Thoughts
This whole reshuffle tells a bigger story. Porsche isn’t just defending titles; they’re aggressively reinforcing their stateside program. With Mathieu Jaminet gone to Genesis, Penske and Porsche had a void to fill, and they filled it with proven, world-class talent. They’re making sure both of their 963s are loaded with drivers who know how to win.
This creates an internal rivalry that will push both crews to the absolute limit. You can bet your last dollar that the boys in the No. 6 and No. 7 will be racing each other just as hard as they’ll be racing the Acuras and Cadillacs. The battle for bragging rights inside the Porsche Penske garage might just be the best show in 2026.
