The three-day IMSA sanctioned test at Sebring International Raceway wrapped up with Porsche Penske Motorsport asserting its dominance in the GTP class, as the No. 6 963 machine topped the time sheets on back-to-back days.
After Mathieu Jaminet led Wednesday’s session, it was co-driver Matt Campbell’s turn to shine on Thursday morning, laying down a stunning 1m48.215s lap—not just the fastest of the day, but the quickest time of the entire test.
Porsche Penske vs. Cadillac: A GTP Battle Brewing
Behind Campbell’s pace-setting Porsche, Louis Delétraz put Cadillac’s No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R in second place, posting a 1m48.576s lap. The No. 10 entry was temporarily shared by Delétraz and Jordan Taylor, as their regular No. 40 car remained sidelined due to damage from the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Completing the top three in GTP was Felipe Nasr, who set a 1m48.613s time in the No. 7 Porsche Penske 963, signaling a strong start to 2025 for Roger Penske’s sports car program.
Afternoon Shake-Up: Bamber Leads Cadillac Charge
In the afternoon session, Earl Bamber stole the show, putting the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R atop the timing sheets with a 1m48.996s flyer. He narrowly edged out BMW M Team RLL’s bare-carbon liveried prototypes, with Marco Wittmann (No. 25 M Hybrid V8) and Dries Vanthoor (No. 24) taking second and third, respectively.
The session was insanely tight, as only 0.056s separated the top four, with Filipe Albuquerque’s No. 10 WTR Cadillac right on their heels.
Lamborghini Squadra Corse Ends Test Early Due to Mechanical Woes
A disappointing turn of events saw the No. 63 Lamborghini Squadra Corse SC63 unable to run on Thursday after suffering an unexpected mechanical issue on Wednesday.
“We were caught off-guard with a premature issue,” a team spokesperson stated. “We preferred to analyze the issue at our workshop and end the test early. We’re working on a robust solution in time for Sebring.”
Despite the setback, Romain Grosjean managed 95 laps before the issue surfaced, setting a best time of 1m49.926s, proving the SC63 has potential—but reliability concerns linger ahead of IMSA’s blue-ribbon endurance events.
IndyCar Stars Get a Taste of GTP Power
The final day of testing saw Penske’s IndyCar aces Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden get behind the wheel of Porsche’s factory entries.
- McLaughlin impressed, logging 92 laps in the No. 6 Porsche with a best time of 1m49.453s.
- Newgarden, fresh off his Daytona 24 victory, turned 44 laps in the No. 7 Porsche, clocking a 1m50.334s lap.
While Newgarden had less track time, the results showcased McLaughlin’s quick adaptability to endurance racing machinery.
LMP2: Di Resta and Fraga Trade Blows
In LMP2, Paul di Resta topped the morning session in United Autosports’ No. 22 ORECA 07, laying down a 1m49.957s flyer. Bijoy Garg (Inter Europol Competition) and Hunter McElrea (TDS Racing) followed in second and third.
The afternoon belonged to Felipe Fraga, who put the No. 74 Riley ORECA on top, with McElrea improving to second, while Mathias Beche placed third in PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports’ freshly unveiled teal-liveried No. 52 machine.
Final Thoughts: Porsche’s Statement, Cadillac’s Challenge
As IMSA teams gear up for the 2025 12 Hours of Sebring, Porsche Penske’s commanding performance signals that they’re the early favorites. However, Cadillac’s strong showing, particularly with Bamber’s late-session surge, suggests the fight at Sebring will be far from one-sided.
With Lamborghini still battling reliability, BMW quietly gaining pace, and IndyCar stars getting seat time in GTP machinery, the pieces are falling into place for an explosive IMSA season ahead.
