Hyett Racing Career: From GT Racing to LMP2 Championship Success

Hyett Racing Career: From GT Racing to LMP2 Championship Success

The trajectory of a professional endurance racer is often defined by the transition from Grand Touring (GT) cars to the high-downforce world of prototypes. For Hyett, this journey has been marked by a steady climb through the ranks of international motorsport, evolving from a competitive GT driver into a championship-winning force in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) category.

Starting in the early 2020s, Hyett established a foundation in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and various GT series, utilizing the precision of Porsche machinery. However, the shift to prototype racing with AO Racing and AO by TF catalyzed a period of significant success, culminating in multiple top-tier championship titles.

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Key Facts

  • Championship Titles: Secured 1st place in both the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship (LMP2) and the 2025 European Le Mans Series (LMP2 Pro-Am).
  • Le Mans Success: Achieved a class victory (1st place) in the LMP2 Pro-Am category at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans.
  • Vehicle Evolution: Transitioned from the Porsche 911 RSR-19 and 911 GT3 R to the Oreca 07 - Gibson prototype.
  • Versatility: Has competed across four major series: WEC, IMSA, European Le Mans Series (ELMS), and Asian Le Mans Series.

The Early Years: GT Racing and Foundation

Hyett's professional record began in 2022, focusing heavily on the LMGTE Am class—a category for professional and amateur drivers sharing a car. Competing with Team Project 1 in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Hyett began adapting to the rigors of long-distance racing.

During 2022 and 2023, Hyett expanded their experience across several North American and international series, including the GT World Challenge America and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. These years were characterized by learning the nuances of the Porsche 911 platform, both in the RSR-19 and the GT3 R (992) configurations.

The Ascent to Prototype Racing

The turning point in Hyett's career occurred with the move to the LMP2 class, where the cars are purpose-built prototypes designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and speed. Joining AO Racing and AO by TF, Hyett began competing with the Oreca 07 chassis powered by the Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 engine.

The 2024 season served as a breakthrough year, with a 6th place finish in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. This momentum carried into 2025, which stands as the most successful year of Hyett's career to date. In a dominant display of consistency and speed, Hyett secured the championship title in both the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the European Le Mans Series (LMP2 Pro-Am).

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The Pinnacle: 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the most prestigious event in endurance racing. Hyett's progression at Le Mans mirrors their overall career growth:

  • 2023: Finished 7th in the GTE Am class (35th overall) with Project 1 - AO.
  • 2024: Moved to LMP2, finishing 6th in class (20th overall) and 2nd in the LMP2 Pro-Am category.
  • 2025: Achieved the ultimate goal with a 1st place finish in the LMP2 Pro-Am class (20th overall).
  • 2026: Secured a 3rd place finish in the LMP2 Pro-Am class (24th overall).

Career Performance Summary

Summary of Major Championship Results
Season Series Class Team Position
2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD AO Racing Team 16th
2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship LMP2 AO Racing 6th
2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship LMP2 AO Racing 1st
2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-Am AO by TF 1st
2026 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro-Am AO by TF 6th*

*Season in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which championships has Hyett won?

Hyett won both the IMSA SportsCar Championship (LMP2) and the European Le Mans Series (LMP2 Pro-Am) in 2025.

What car does Hyett currently drive?

Hyett currently competes using the Oreca 07 chassis equipped with a Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 engine.

What was Hyett's best result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

The best result was a 1st place finish in the LMP2 Pro-Am class during the 2025 event.

Did Hyett start their career in prototypes?

No, Hyett began in GT racing, competing in the LMGTE Am and GTD classes using Porsche 911 models before transitioning to LMP2 prototypes.

Which teams has Hyett raced for?

Hyett has raced for several teams, including Team Project 1, Team Hardpoint, Schnitzelalm Racing, Proton Competition, and most prominently, AO Racing and AO by TF.

References

  1. Huddleston, Tom Jr. (4 June 2018). "This 33-year-old college dropout co-founded GitHub, which just sold to Microsoft for $7.5 billion". cnbc.com. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  2. "Jeannette, Hyett launching AO Racing Porsche GTD effort for 2023". racer.com. 28 September 2022.
  3. "WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP PJ HYET". Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  4. "P.J. Hyett - FIA World Endurance Championship". fiawec.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  5. "PJ Hyett, Co-Founder, COO, GitHub". www.topionetworks.com. Archived from the original on 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-21.