{"id":2015,"date":"2026-09-13T14:11:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T14:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/giornalemotori.com\/en\/?p=2015"},"modified":"2026-09-13T14:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T14:11:22","slug":"bushi-rex-rules-suzuka-ao-by-absolute-porsche-takes-dominant-victory-in-50th-suzuka-1000km","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/giornalemotori.com\/en\/bushi-rex-rules-suzuka-ao-by-absolute-porsche-takes-dominant-victory-in-50th-suzuka-1000km\/","title":{"rendered":"Bushi Rex Rules Suzuka: AO by Absolute Porsche Takes Dominant Victory in 50th Suzuka 1000km"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Laurin Heinrich, Alessio Picariello, and Julien Andlauer Deliver Masterclass Performance to End Porsche\u2019s 32-Year Winless Drought in Japanese Classic<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The No. 8 AO by Absolute Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R\u2014adorned in its striking samurai-themed “Bushi Rex” livery\u2014secured a historic and dominant victory in the 50th running of the Suzuka 1000km. Drivers Laurin Heinrich, Alessio Picariello, and Julien Andlauer controlled the second half of the six-and-a-half-hour endurance race to claim Porsche\u2019s first overall triumph at the Suzuka 1000km since 1994, taking the chequered flag 51.416 seconds clear of the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olsen and Ford Lead Early Exchanges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting from row three on the grid, the No. 8 Porsche remained patient through the opening stints as Dennis Olsen led from pole position aboard the No. 64 Miedecke Motorsport by Team MPC Ford Mustang GT3 Evo. Olsen and Ayhancan G\u00fcven (No. 7 Absolute Racing Porsche) pulled clear of the pack early on, with the Ford retaining the top spot heading into the initial round of pit stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Olsen built a ten-second advantage over the chasing pack following an early Full Course Yellow restart, Picariello and Andlauer cycled through solid stints in the Bushi Rex machine to keep the car comfortably within the lead-lap contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heinrich\u2019s Charge and the Decisive Overtake<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The turning point of the race came as Laurin Heinrich took over the No. 8 Porsche. Starting his stint down in fifth position, Heinrich launched a furious charge through the top order. He swiftly dispatched Takuro Shinohara in the No. 45 PONOS Racing Ferrari before locking into a thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle with Nicky Catsburg\u2019s No. 2 JMR Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After muscle-flexing past Dorian Boccolacci, Heinrich engaged Catsburg down the West Straightaway, completing a forceful dive up the inside into 130R to grab second position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting a string of rapid lap times, Heinrich erased a ten-second deficit to race leader Christopher Mies in the Miedecke Ford. Just past the half-distance mark, Heinrich pounced on a small gap between Gyaku Bank and NIPPO Corner, slicing Bushi Rex through to take the lead of the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unstoppable Second Half to Victory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once out front, the AO by Absolute Racing crew never looked back. Lightning-fast pit work allowed Picariello to extend the lead during his late stint. When Heinrich jumped back into the cockpit for the final two hours, his pace proved untouchable as the sun set over the Mie Prefecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The No. 8 Porsche completed the full 1,000-kilometer distance with 20 minutes remaining on the race clock, ultimately logging 184 laps and building a commanding 51-second margin at the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The No. 64 Miedecke Ford of Mies, Olsen, and Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Vervisch held on for second overall\u2014marking Ford\u2019s best-ever result at the Suzuka 1000km and in Intercontinental GT Challenge history. Ayhancan G\u00fcven, Alessandro Ghiretti, and Dorian Boccolacci recovered from late fuel-rig issues to finish third in the No. 7 Porsche, completing a double podium for Absolute Racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n