Laurin Heinrich Meets Henri Pescarolo Ahead of Suzuka 1000 km Comeback

Laurin Heinrich visits Henri Pescarolo to honor Porsche’s 1981 Suzuka win, shares racing insights, and prepares for the 2025 Suzuka 1000 km with Origine Motorsport.

Two eras of motorsport came together over lunch as Laurin Heinrich met Henri Pescarolo to talk racing, Porsche heritage, and the upcoming challenge at Suzuka. The 23-year-old German driver, IMSA GTD Pro race winner and victor in Supercup, GT World Challenge Asia, and Carrera Cup Germany, traveled to the French countryside to meet the 83-year-old legend whose victory in the 1981 Suzuka 1000 km remains a milestone for Porsche.

The symbolism of the encounter was underlined by a gift: Heinrich presented a framed picture showing Pescarolo’s winning Porsche 935 K3 alongside his own 911 GT3 R. That car will soon take to the iconic figure-eight circuit as part of the revived Suzuka 1000 km, which returns to the Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar for the first time since 2019.

Porsche will field three Pro entries at the event, and Heinrich’s Origine Motorsport squad will run a tribute livery inspired by the 1981 triumph of Pescarolo and Bob Wollek. For Heinrich, already familiar with the circuit from the 2024 Asian GT rounds, this is more than a race — it is a gesture of respect for the brand’s heritage.

Over lunch, Pescarolo shared stories of a time when Suzuka was still a fresh and unpredictable track, recalling his four Le Mans victories and painful mechanical retirements that cost him potential wins. Heinrich, meanwhile, reflected on how the Porsche Junior program saved his career and on how modern GT3 technology — ABS, paddle shift, traction control, and data analysis — changes the art of racing.

Pescarolo’s advice was clear: understand the car’s limits, work with the team, and respect the unique passion of Japanese fans who turn Suzuka into something special. As Heinrich departed, the pair sealed a playful bet — if he wins, he will return to take to the skies in Pescarolo’s helicopter.

The comeback of the Suzuka 1000 km adds extra drama to this story. For Heinrich, it is not just another endurance race but an opportunity to link generations and show that Porsche’s racing legacy continues to inspire drivers and fans alike.