Photo credit: Porsche
The 24 Hours of Daytona, part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will take place on January 25-26 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This marks the 63rd edition of the race. In the GTP class, four Porsche 963s will compete, including two entries from Porsche Penske Motorsport, one from Proton Competition, and one from JDC-Miller MotorSports. Notably, Pascal Wehrlein, a Formula E World Champion, will make his debut at Daytona with JDC-Miller.
During the recent “Roar Before the 24” test session held from January 17-19, teams prepared intensively for the race. The four Porsche 963s completed a total of 636 laps, equivalent to 2,264 miles, while the Porsche 911 GT3 R cars in the GT categories covered over 2,400 miles collectively. These results have led Porsche Motorsport to express optimism regarding their performance in the upcoming race.
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, stated that the Daytona race has historically been a launching point for many successes. He emphasized the team’s ambitions for another overall victory, especially following their triumph in 2024 with the No. 7 Porsche 963. The team has refined various aspects of their setup, including changes to the driver lineup for the new season. The No. 6 car will feature Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell, with Kévin Estre joining for Daytona. The No. 7 car will be driven by Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, with Laurens Vanthoor participating in the 24-hour race.
Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh, noted the consistent progress made during the test sessions, indicating that the Porsche 963 has established itself as a leading vehicle in its class since its debut. The team aims to continue their success in both the IMSA Championship and FIA WEC.
In addition to the factory teams, customer entries from JDC-Miller MotorSports and Proton Competition will also be competing. Proton’s No. 5 car will include factory driver Julien Andlauer and Le Mans winner Neel Jani, along with Tristan Vautier and Nico Pino. The No. 85 JDC-Miller entry will feature Pascal Wehrlein alongside Gianmaria Bruni, Bryce Aron, and Tijmen van der Helm.
In the GTD Pro category, AO Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R seeks to defend its IMSA title, with drivers Laurin Heinrich, Klaus Bachler, and Alessio Picariello. Proton Competition will field a similar car with Thomas Preining and Richard Lietz, joined by Matteo Cressoni and Claudio Schiavoni. The Iron Dames will debut their Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTD class, with drivers Michelle Gatting, Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, and Karen Gaillard.
The Daytona International Speedway, opened in 1959, features a unique 3.56-mile layout. Porsche holds a record of 19 overall victories as a constructor and 80 class wins at this event, making it the most successful manufacturer in Daytona’s history. The 24 Hours of Daytona also serves as the opening race for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, which awards points at various intervals during the race.
Driver statements reflect a mix of preparation and expectations for the race. Jaminet expressed confidence following last year’s success, while Vanthoor highlighted his determination to win. Other drivers, including Andlauer and Bruni, noted their readiness and the importance of teamwork in the upcoming event. Overall, the teams are preparing meticulously for what is anticipated to be a competitive race.
Porsche Race Cars and Drivers at the 24 Hours of Daytona
GTP Class (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Matt Campbell (AUS), Mathieu Jaminet (FRA), Kévin Estre (FRA)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #7: Felipe Nasr (BRA), Nick Tandy (GBR), Laurens Vanthoor (BEL)
Proton Competition #5: Julien Andlauer (FRA), Neel Jani (SUI), Tristan Vautier (FRA), Nico Pino (CHL)
JDC-Miller MotorSports #85: Pascal Wehrlein (GER), Gianmaria Bruni (ITA), Bryce Aron (USA), Tijmen van der Helm (NLD)
LMP2 Class (Oreca 07 Gibson):
Inter Europol Competition #43: António Félix da Costa (PRT), Tom Dillmann (FRA), Bijoy Garg (USA), Jon Field (USA)
GTD Pro Class (Porsche 911 GT3 R):
Proton Competition #20: Thomas Preining (AUT), Richard Lietz (AUT), Claudio Schiavoni (ITA), Matteo Cressoni (ITA)
AO Racing #77: Klaus Bachler (AUT), Laurin Heinrich (GER), Alessio Picariello (BEL)
GTD Class:
Iron Dames #83: Michelle Gatting (DNK), Rahel Frey (SUI), Sarah Bovy (BEL), Karen Gaillard (SUI)
Wright Motorsports #120: Ayhancan Güven (TUR), Adam Adelson (USA), Elliott Skeer (USA), Tom Sargent (AUS)
AWA #13: Lars Kern (GER), Matt Bell (GBR), Marvin Kirchhöfer (GER), Orey Fidani (CAN)