Laurin Heinrich has quickly adapted to a new environment at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend. Known for winning the first two endurance rounds in IMSA with Porsche Penske Motorsport (PPM), the 24-year-old German is now co-driving the #5 Porsche 963 with Tijmen van der Heim for privateer JDC-Miller MotorSports. Despite his lack of experience at the 1.968-mile street circuit, Heinrich set the fastest pace in the opening practice session.
Drivers at the event have shown high expectations for Heinrich and JCD-Miller MotorSports, considering him a major contender this weekend despite only having a few races under his belt. Heinrich, who shares the points lead with his PPM teammates, is set to participate in all sprint rounds and the Road America endurance race with JDC-Miller MotorSports. While a clash with the 24 Hours of Spa will prevent Heinrich from competing in the Watkins Glen round, he is scheduled to return for the season finale at Road Atlanta.
One of the reasons competitors are keeping an eye on Heinrich and JDC-Miller’s Porsche is the adjustment to the Balance of Performance (BoP) leading up to the race weekend. While PPM’s factory team was hit hard with weight increases and power reductions, JDC-Miller was less affected by sticking to the previous year’s package. This different BoP has increased confidence in Heinrich and the team’s ability to execute a strong race strategy.
Despite the challenges posed by the BoP regulations, Heinrich remains optimistic about their chances, emphasizing the importance of strategy and team execution in achieving a favorable result. With a strong team supporting him, Heinrich is looking forward to making the most of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
