Rutronik Racing has revealed full-season plans for its #97 Porsche, which will compete in both the Bronze and Silver classes this term.
The #97 entry enjoyed a superb 2024 campaign, culminating in Rutronik snatching the overall Bronze Cup teams' title at the final round in Saudi Arabia. It remains a full-season entrant this year, though it will now compete for Silver honours in the Sprint Cup while continuing to chase Bronze glory in Endurance.
There is a degree of continuity among the drivers thanks to Loek Hartog (pictured below). The Dutchman was part of the team's Endurance Cup line-up last year and will take on a full-time role this season, partnering series newcomer Eshan Pieris in Sprint. The 26-year-old Sri Lankan has previously raced in GT World Challenge Asia, where he was Silver Cup runner-up last term.
"Eshan has already demonstrated his talent in the Porsche 911 GT3 R in Asia and we are convinced that he will play a role in the fight for the title in the Silver Cup Sprint classification together with top talent Loek Hartog," said team principal Klaus Graf.
"Loek was already very successful for us last year and we are pleased that he can continue to develop at Rutronik Racing. It was important to us that we bring a strong pairing into the race in the hotly contested Silver category. We have definitely succeeded in doing this with Loek and Eshan."
In Endurance, Hartog will be joined by Antares Au and Morris Schuring. An experienced campaigner with a special affinity for Porsche machinery, Au has competed in GT World Challenge Europe, Asia and America among other series. He won the 2023 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in the Bronze class, though this will be his first full European campaign.
Schuring adds further Porsche expertise having recently joined the brand's roster of works drivers. Still just 20 years old, the Dutchman already has a Le Mans 24 Hours GT3 win to his name, and was also part of the Herberth Motorsport squad that contested last season's Endurance Cup.
"I am very pleased that we have been able to continue our customer programme in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup Bronze Cup in order to build on last year's successes," said Graff. "With Antares, we have a very successful bronze driver, who recently proved his skills by winning the Asian Le Mans Series title.
"With Loek, we have a well-known figure in our team and with the addition of Morris, we welcome another top talent and Porsche-contracted driver to our ranks. We are looking forward to the start of the season in Le Castellet!"
The German squad recently announced its Pro crew for 2025, which comprises Porsche works drivers Patric Niederhauser, Sven Müller and Alessio Picariello. The 2025 campaign will officially launch with the traditional Prologue at Circuit Paul Ricard on 10/11 March, followed by the season-opening Endurance Cup race at the same venue on 11–13 April. The Sprint schedule begins at Brands Hatch on 3/4 May.