Loek Hartog and Bastian Buus finished third last year in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring 24 Hours together with Matteo Cairoli and Joel Sturm, driving the Porsche 911 GT3 R for Dinamic GT. The two first‑named drivers share a long history — battling for glory and for a contract within Porsche Motorsport. It all began in 2021 and ran through 2023. After that season they went their separate ways, only to reunite as teammates for the iconic 24‑hour race.

“It’s Either You or Them”: Inside the Early Hartog–Buus Battles

In 2021 they first met each other fighting for glory in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. “I wish sometimes I could go back to those days and feel them as tense as I could,” Hartog says about those early battles. “I’m not saying that I miss it, but at that point in my career you’re very aware that you have to make a difference. It’s either you or them.”

The Dutch driver, aged 19 at the time, made his intentions clear by winning the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland Rookie title by just three points over Buus. It was anything but easy that season, but by securing ninth place he did enough to claim the championship — even with the Danish driver Buus finishing third overall.

Hartog had the upper hand over the 18‑year‑old Dane in the beginning phase. In that early period he remembers some wise words. “We had Wolf Henzler as a coach there. He made it very clear to us: there is a chance you might race together in the future. So not necessarily learn from each other, but, let’s say, don’t close the door, don’t close the chapter.”

But he wasn’t convinced at first. “I didn’t believe him, because I was firmly convinced it was either me, or Bastian, or Morris.”

Morris Schuring was also a fierce competitor in those years between Buus and Hartog, finishing third in the rookie championship that season.

Buus Pulls Ahead as the Rivalry Enters a New Phase

“We’ve been competing against each other in car racing. We’ve been some of the biggest rivals because we always fought for the same rookie championships and the same contract within Porsche as being the junior,” Buus tells GT REPORT about the battles between him and Loek.

After 2021, things changed quickly.

In the following year of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Buus finished fourth with 237 points. Hartog ended one place behind him, but with far fewer points — 185.

But it didn’t stop there.

The battle continued in the Porsche Supercup, a Formula 1 support series raced on European tracks. Both made their debut that year, but Buus dominated the rookie championship with 122 points. Hartog again couldn’t get close, finishing second with 43 points.

It was the year in which Buus truly made his mark, winning the rookie championship and claiming two victories in his Porsche Supercup debut season. As a reward, he was selected as a Porsche Junior driver for 2023.

The young Dane also remembered the words of Wolf Henzler. “We were told from the beginning that we always had to stay on a good level of friends with each other, because someday we might be sharing a car together.”

A Season of Contrasts: Buus’ Title, Hartog’s Home‑Soil Heroics

2023 was the year Buus again found success — but not everywhere.

Racing their third season against each other in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, the Porsche Junior driver scored three wins. Hartog, however, had the upper hand: with four victories he finished 12 points ahead of Buus and secured second place overall.

“We had great battles, and sometimes they had a better day, sometimes I had a better day, sometimes I had a better car, sometimes they had a better car,” Hartog tells GT REPORT.

The 2023 Porsche Supercup season was one to remember for Buus, as he became the youngest Supercup champion at age 20. He won the title in the final race — in dramatic, emotional fashion. In Monza, the championship decider, he was spun around in the early stages and had to fight his way back from the rear of the field. Larry ten Voorde, his main rival, would have taken the championship with a win. Harry King, Buus’ teammate, led the race and held off a charging Ten Voorde to take victory. Meanwhile, Buus climbed back to P13, scoring three crucial points — just enough to win the title by five.

Hartog finished sixth in the Porsche Supercup standings, but he found success at his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. He claimed second place in race one and won race two. Morris Schuring remained part of the rivalry as well, taking victory in the opening race at the old‑school Dutch circuit.

The 2023 Porsche Supercup Visualized

The 2023 Porsche Supercup Visualized

 

“We’re Chasing the Same Things”: As Buus and Hartog Join Forces for Nürburgring Glory

In 2024 both drivers went their own way. Buus became a contracted Porsche Motorsport Official Driver, together with Morris, while Loek raced all around the globe as a freelance driver — still mainly Porsche‑focused.

The wise words of Wolf Henzler eventually became reality when they lined up together for the Nürburgring 24 Hours as teammates at Dinamic GT, sharing the same car. “Without them I wouldn’t be the driver I am today,” Hartog says.

The Danish driver adds: “I think we’re both chasing the same things, but we also have respect for each other. When you’re in the same car it’s all about performing together and bringing the entire package to a different level.”

And bringing it to another level is exactly what they did, guiding the Porsche 911 GT3 R to an impressive third place in the iconic endurance race last year.

This year awaits the biggest challenge yet. Weekend tickets are sold out, and a four‑time F1 World Champion is stepping into a field of 161 teams.

“With Max now bringing the attention, of course we want to deliver our best — but we also have to be realistic and again do our job. Last year was a race with no mistakes, so we aim to do the same again this year,” Buus says.

The tall Dutchman Hartog is also looking forward to the challenge, but he hopes for even more races together with Buus and Morris. “It’s still a wish of mine, I would say, to do an IMSA GTD Pro programme with one of these guys.”