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Sebastien Bourdais with Tower Motorsports Clinches LMP2 Victory in Thrilling Rolex 24 at Daytona

David Castro by David Castro
January 26, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Sebastien Bourdais with Tower Motorsports Clinches LMP2 Victory in Thrilling Rolex 24 at Daytona

Sebastien Bourdais led the #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca team to a dramatic LMP2 class victory in the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, capping off a race defined by late-race chaos and relentless competition. Alongside teammates Job van Uitert, Sebastian Alvarez, and John Farano, Bourdais sealed the win after the team capitalized on mechanical woes and incidents that shook up the leaderboard.


A battle of resilience and strategy

The LMP2 category delivered non-stop action from start to finish, with the lead swapping hands multiple times throughout the 24-hour endurance classic. The #99 AO Racing Oreca appeared destined for victory, holding a commanding lead with just an hour remaining. However, mechanical gremlins struck, forcing the team to pit with an alternator issue, handing the advantage to Tower Motorsports.

Sebastien Bourdais, in the cockpit for the final stint, showcased his endurance racing prowess by pulling a decisive gap and holding off Paul di Resta in the #22 United Autosports Oreca to take the checkered flag. “It was a battle of attrition, but we stayed calm and executed when it mattered,” Bourdais remarked post-race.


The early hours: Drama and caution periods

The LMP2 class set the tone for an unpredictable race early on. The first full-course caution of the event was triggered by Hunter McElrea in the #11 TDS Racing Oreca, who misjudged the T5 horseshoe. The chaos continued when David Heinemeier Hansson’s #18 Era Motorsport Oreca made contact with James Roe’s Pratt Miller entry, earning a drive-through penalty.

Meanwhile, the #99 AO Racing Oreca, piloted by Dane Cameron, emerged as an early contender, pulling out a 46-second lead during the sixth hour. However, a drive-through penalty for teammate Jonny Edgar briefly handed the lead to the #04 CrowdStrike Racing Oreca, only for further incidents to shuffle the order yet again.


Mid-race shake-ups: A tale of survival

As night fell and temperatures dropped, the battles intensified. A collision involving Nick Boulle in the #2 United Autosports Oreca and Louis Deletraz’s #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac caused significant disruption, with the latter car ricocheting back onto the track after a crash. This incident handed the lead back to Rasmus Lindh in the #22 United Autosports Oreca.

Despite setbacks, the #8 Tower Motorsports entry kept itself in contention. Van Uitert took the lead under the rising sun, while Colton Herta’s crash in the #4 CrowdStrike Oreca and a stoppage for the #88 AF Corse allowed Tower Motorsports to edge closer to the top spot.


The final hours: Heartbreak and triumph

With just an hour to go, the #99 AO Racing Oreca, now driven by Edgar, seemed poised to recover from earlier troubles and secure victory. However, an alternator issue dashed their hopes, forcing the car to pit and dropping it out of contention.

The #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca seized the lead, with Bourdais at the wheel. The Frenchman pulled away from di Resta in the #22 United Autosports Oreca and Felipe Braga in the #74 Riley Oreca to secure a well-earned win. “It’s a testament to the entire team’s resilience and preparation,” said a jubilant Bourdais.


Final standings and notable performances

  1. #8 Tower Motorsports Oreca 07 – Sebastien Bourdais, Job van Uitert, Sebastian Alvarez, John Farano
  2. #22 United Autosports Oreca 07 – Paul di Resta, Rasmus Lindh, Garnet Patterson
  3. #74 Riley Oreca 07 – Felipe Braga, Gar Robinson, Josh Burdon
  4. #99 AO Racing Oreca 07 – Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar, PJ Hyett

The #99 AO Racing entry, despite leading for a significant portion of the race, could only salvage sixth place after late-race issues—a bitter end to an otherwise strong performance.


Looking ahead

The LMP2 class once again delivered high-stakes drama and showcased the endurance racing spirit. Tower Motorsports’ victory cements their status as a team to watch in the upcoming season. With Sebring just around the corner, the battle for supremacy in endurance racing is far from over.

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