Laurens Vanthoor spearheaded an impressive 1-2 finish for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the opening stages of the 63rd 24 Hours of Daytona, as the team capitalized on precision strategy and unrelenting pace to establish its dominance early in the endurance classic.
After a measured start under cool, sunny conditions, Vanthoor’s performance, combined with a formidable team effort, secured the #6 Porsche 963 GTP a commanding lead, edging out BMW, Cadillac, and Proton challengers in a tightly contested race.
Race Drama Unfolds Early
The race saw its first full-course caution when Hunter McElrea in the #11 TDS Racing Oreca 07 lost control at Turn 5’s Western Horseshoe and collided with the barriers. Though McElrea was able to rejoin the race, the incident set the tone for a day rife with on-track drama.
Shortly after the restart, David Heinemeier Hansson in the #18 Era Motorsport Oreca 07 spun James Roe’s #73 Pratt Miller Oreca at Turn 1’s exit. The incident earned Hansson a drive-through penalty, further complicating Era Motorsport’s campaign as reigning LMP2 champions.
Porsche’s Tactical Excellence
Vanthoor’s rise to the top was mirrored by teammate Nick Tandy, who relentlessly chased down Frederik Vesti in the #31 Cadillac V-Series.R during the British driver’s IMSA debut. Tandy’s calculated aggression saw him secure second before both Porsche 963s consolidated their position at the front.
While Porsche controlled the pace, BMW’s #25 M Hybrid V8 GTP, piloted by Rene Rast, challenged Tandy fiercely, trimming his lead to under two seconds before briefly falling back in traffic. Despite the challenge, Porsche’s meticulous execution allowed them to form a dominant 1-2 lead.
LMP2 and GT Classes Deliver Close Battles
In LMP2, Dane Cameron’s #99 AO Racing “Spike” Oreca surged into the lead with a commanding 46-second advantage over Nick Boulle’s #2 United Autosports entry. Meanwhile, the #88 AF Corse LMP2 machine held a steady third as teams jostled for position in the crowded field.
The GTD Pro class witnessed a fiery Ford vs. Corvette battle. The pole-sitting #64 Ford Mustang GT3 reclaimed the top spot under Sebastien Priaulx, fending off teammate Dennis Olsen in the #65 Ford. Despite early misfortunes, Paul Miller Racing’s #48 BMW M4 GT3 EVO stayed competitive in third, driven by the experienced Augusto Farfus.
In GTD, a sticky throttle pedal derailed the reigning champions Winward Racing’s charge. The #57 Mercedes-AMG was forced behind the wall for repairs, clearing the path for Misha Goikhberg’s #78 Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 to take the lead. The car maintained a solid 25-second gap until Heart of Racing’s #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 snatched the top spot.
Key Moments Heading into the Night
- Porsche Penske controlled the GTP field, setting a blistering pace that kept challengers at bay.
- The LMP2 fight remained tight, with multiple teams jockeying for podium contention.
- In GTD Pro, Ford continued to shine, while the Corvette team fought to remain within striking distance.
Outlook for the Next Stages
As the 24-hour marathon enters the night, endurance strategies, driver rotations, and track conditions will prove decisive. With Porsche holding an early advantage, challengers like BMW, Cadillac, and Proton are left plotting their comeback. Meanwhile, Ford and Aston Martin promise to deliver fireworks in GTD Pro, ensuring no shortage of excitement for fans worldwide.
Stay tuned as the battle for Daytona supremacy intensifies under the lights!
