AO Racing Unveils New Driver Lineup for 2026 IMSA Championship
Date: [Insert relevant date]
Michael Smith, Motorsports Journalist
AO Racing has confirmed an impressive new driver lineup for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, featuring Nick Tandy and Harry King in the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R. The duo will compete full-time, alongside returning driver Alessio Picariello for the five-race Michelin Endurance Cup.
Tandy’s move comes after he parted ways with Porsche Penske Motorsport, where he achieved notable success, including wins at both the Daytona 24 and Sebring 12-hour races. Tandy made history in 2025 by becoming the first driver to secure overall victories in all four major 24-hour endurance races—termed the “Tandy Slam.”
He will take the place of Laurin Heinrich, who transitions to a part-time role with Porsche Penske in the No. 7 Porsche 963 after two solid seasons with AO Racing.
“I’m extremely excited to join AO Racing,” said Tandy. “Rexy is one of the most iconic racing cars of the modern era. I’m looking forward to racing with old friends and making new ones, alongside fast professionals like Harry and Alessio.”
Harry King, set to make his IMSA debut in 2026, enters the series after clinching the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in the Gold Cup class. Having previously excelled in Porsche’s one-make racing series and the SUPER GT Series, King expressed his eagerness: “I’m delighted to partner with AO Racing for my full-time debut. I have a good feeling about this combination.”
Picariello remarked on his return, sharing, “I enjoyed working with the team last season, and winning at Sebring was a highlight. We look forward to correcting the results from Daytona.”
AO Racing enters its third season in GTD PRO with Rexy, building on a championship-winning 2024 season and securing class victories at Sebring and Long Beach in 2025. Team principal Gunnar Jeannette emphasized the potential of the new lineup, stating, “This combination of speed and experience will be critical as we compete for the GTD PRO Championship in 2026.”
As preparations commence for the upcoming season, AO Racing looks to leverage its new driver lineup to build upon past successes and aim for championship glory.
