Fresh off his championship-winning FIA Formula E campaign, Pascal Wehrlein is set to embark on a new chapter in his illustrious motorsport career. The reigning world champion will make his debut at the prestigious IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona, joining JDC Miller MotorSports in the #85 Porsche 963 GTP entry.
A New Challenge for Wehrlein
Wehrlein’s addition to the JDC Miller MotorSports roster signals a bold move into endurance racing. Partnering with Tijmen van der Helm and Bryce Aron, the German star will compete in the 63rd running of Daytona, scheduled for 25-26 January 2025.
Having dominated the Formula E circuit, Wehrlein is excited about the opportunity to prove himself on the endurance stage. Reflecting on this milestone, Wehrlein stated:
“I’ve always wanted to drive sports cars – that’s one of my goals as a racing driver. Now I have the opportunity to prove myself there too. I’m very happy about that.”
Wehrlein’s journey into sports cars has been years in the making. He first experienced the Porsche 963 LMDh during a test session at Sebring in 2022. More recently, he participated in an IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona last month, further honing his skills behind the wheel of the cutting-edge machine.
Overcoming Setbacks to Shine in Daytona
Wehrlein’s preparation for Daytona hasn’t been without challenges. The German driver is currently recovering from an accident in São Paulo but remains optimistic about returning to peak performance in time for the legendary endurance race.
“The test drives with JDC-Miller MotorSports in mid-November went well. The Porsche 963 reminded me of the DTM cars of my time – I felt comfortable. I’m currently recovering from my accident in São Paulo. But I want to get back to full speed in January.”
A Formidable Machine and Team
JDC Miller MotorSports, a Porsche customer team since the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship season, will field the #85 Porsche 963 GTP. This highly advanced hybrid prototype has drawn comparisons to the DTM cars Wehrlein excelled in earlier in his career.
Wehrlein’s addition further strengthens JDC’s lineup as they aim to make a statement in one of the most competitive endurance racing events globally.
The Porsche Armada at Daytona
Porsche’s presence at Daytona will be formidable, with four Porsche 963s set to compete:
- Two factory-backed entries in partnership with Team Penske.
- Customer team Proton Competition fielding one car.
- JDC Miller MotorSports completing the quartet with the #85 entry.
Key Dates for Daytona 2025
The action begins with the Roar Before the 24 pre-event test from 17-19 January, providing teams with valuable preparation time. The main event will take place the following week, with the green flag dropping on 25 January for 24 hours of high-stakes endurance racing.
Wehrlein’s Excitement and Endurance Racing Ambitions
Wehrlein’s foray into endurance racing marks a new chapter in his already accomplished career. From single-seaters to electric racing, and now to the world of sports cars, Wehrlein is proving his versatility and hunger for new challenges.
As he gears up for his Daytona debut, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see if Wehrlein’s success in Formula E can translate to the grueling demands of endurance racing. With his natural talent and determination, Wehrlein could be the X-factor JDC Miller MotorSports needs to secure a memorable result in 2025.
