Origine Motorsport to compete in Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race with two cars

Origine Motorsport will field two Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) cars at the IGTC Intercontinental GT Challenge Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race. The #6 car, comprised of Porsche contracted drivers Laurin Heinrich, Alessio Picariello, and Bastian Buus, will compete in the Pro class for the overall title. The #86 car will feature the team's full-time GT World Challenge Asia drivers Ye Hongli, Anders Fjordbach, and Li Kerong, competing in the Bronze Cup!

This marks Origine Motorsport's debut in both the IGTC Championship and the Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race! For the Asian leg of this intercontinental endurance race, the team assembled a strong roster and refurbished both cars with a classic livery inspired by the Japanese clothing brand "Itari-ya." This livery pays homage to the Porsche 935's feat at the 1981 Suzuka 1000km race—the first time a non-Japanese team and driver combination has won the overall victory! Origine Motorsport, in this occasion, not only cherishes the classic elements of Porsche's racing history but also carries the ambition and expectation to continue its glorious legacy and create brilliant achievements in a new arena.

As for the driver lineup, the three professional drivers in car #6 are all strong contenders who have competed with Team Force in recent years! Laurin Heinrich was a key player in helping the team defend the GTWC Asia Team Championship last season. He also has extensive experience and an impressive track record in endurance racing worldwide, winning the IMSA Guardiola SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class and achieving a dazzling podium finish in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.

Alessio Picariello, known as the "Belgian Bullet," is the team's star driver this season. Starting his career in Asia-Pacific racing, he has gradually made his way onto the global sportscar racing stage, competing in top endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. He also competed in two consecutive Suzuka Summer Endurance Races in 2018 and 2019. At this season's GTWC Asia race, Alessio Picariello helped the team to victory, and his journey in Suzuka is highly anticipated.

Bastian Buus joined the team last season, securing pole position in his first GTWC Asia race with the team. This season, he has become a regular driver in the #4 car. This young Danish driver has demonstrated his talent in numerous high-level competitions, including winning the GT4 European Series and the Porsche Supercup Drivers' Championship. Buus will now take on a new challenge with the team.

The No. 86 Bronze Cup car features three drivers who represent the team in the GT World Challenge Asia all year round. They will drive the modified "Italiya" livery in "Force Green" to challenge for the class championship.

Defending GTWC Asia champion Ye Hongli is an ace driver for Origine Motorsport. He was a key member of the team's recent victories at the Sepang 12 Hours and Shanghai 8 Hours. He has also gained experience in high-level competition in the Asian Le Mans Series. Ye Hongli has already secured three wins in GTWC Asia this season and currently leads the Drivers' Championship. His hot form is expected to continue in the Suzuka endurance race.

Li Kerong, with extensive experience in major international endurance races, is a key newcomer to the team this year. He is the first Chinese driver to compete in a full year of the IMSA Guardiola SportsCar Championship and the Daytona 24 Hours. He has also gained valuable experience and achieved numerous outstanding results in races such as the Dubai 24 Hours, the Spa 24 Hours, the Asian Le Mans Series, and the Lamborghini Supercup Challenge Europe. Li Kerong will make his Suzuka 1000km debut with the team, writing a new chapter in his racing career.

Danish driver Anders Fjordbach, who partners with Li Kerong, will continue to compete with the team. Fjordbach has experience in prototypes and GT racing in the GT World Challenge Europe, the WEC World Endurance Championship, and the European Le Mans Series. This season, he and Li Kerong successfully reached the top step of the GTWC Asia podium.

The Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race is part of the 2025 season of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, SRO's global GT3 series. It marks the series' return to Japan for the first time since 2019. At least 32 cars, nine manufacturers, and top drivers and GT teams from around the world will compete.

The Suzuka 1000km Endurance Race is about to begin. Making its IGTC debut, the Origine Motorsport team will showcase the prowess of Chinese racing under the spotlight of the global GT world. With the combined efforts of two cars and six drivers, we aim for both overall and class honors!

Driver's Voice

Laurin Heinrich (Car #6): Returning to Origine Motorsport is a great opportunity for me to once again compete for victory in the Asian arena. Last season, I joined the team for the first time in Asian competition. Now, with the legendary livery and two talented Porsche teammates, we are reuniting for the season, which is truly meaningful. We had a successful season at Suzuka last year at the GTWC Asia, so our goal is clear: to challenge for victory!

Alessio Picariello (Car #6): I'm incredibly excited to be joining Origine Motorsport in an iconic race like the Suzuka 1000km, and to be competing alongside two top-tier teammates, Laurin and Bastian. The Suzuka 1000km is a legendary race in itself, and we're honored to take on the challenge in a car with a legendary livery! Let's look forward to it!

Bastian Buus (Car #6): I'm thrilled to be joining Origine Motorsport for the Suzuka 1000km. We have a strong driver line-up and a striking livery, and we're ready for the challenge ahead. I can't wait to team up with Alessio, Laurin, and the entire team! Let's give it our all and achieve great results together!

Ye Hongli (Car #86): I'm very excited to be participating in the Suzuka 1000km, a race with such a rich history. This is also my first time sharing a car with Ke Rong and Anders. We'll work together, enjoy the track time, and strive for a good result!

Li Ke Rong (Car #86): This will undoubtedly be the most important race I'll participate in this year. With Leo and Anders, we have a fantastic driver pairing. Hopefully, we'll have the best of luck and push for victory!

Anders Fjordbach (Car #86): The Suzuka 1000km has always been a race on my wish list, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to participate. This will also be my first time racing with Leo, and I look forward to the three of us working together to achieve great results!