Porsche's Formula E stars, Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa, are set to make their mark at the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona, taking place on January 25-26, 2025. This event marks Wehrlein's debut in the IMSA series, while da Costa returns to the endurance racing scene with a championship-winning team.
Key Takeaways
Pascal Wehrlein makes his IMSA debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
António Félix da Costa competes in the LMP2 class with Inter Europol Competition.
The event is the season opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Four Porsche 963 cars will be on the grid, including entries from JDC-Miller MotorSports and Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Pascal Wehrlein's IMSA Debut
Pascal Wehrlein, the reigning Formula E world champion, is excited to take on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Daytona. He will be driving the No. 85 Porsche 963 for JDC-Miller MotorSports, sharing the car with Tijmen van der Helm and Bryce Aron. Wehrlein expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "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."
Wehrlein has been preparing for this moment, having participated in test drives at Sebring and Daytona. He noted that the Porsche 963 reminded him of the DTM cars he previously drove, making him feel comfortable behind the wheel. Despite recovering from an accident in São Paulo, he is determined to be at full speed for the race.
António Félix da Costa's Return
António Félix da Costa, Wehrlein's teammate in the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, is also gearing up for the endurance classic. He will be competing in the LMP2 class, driving an Oreca-Gibson for Inter Europol Competition. Da Costa expressed his excitement about returning to the 24 Hours of Daytona, stating, "I'm very happy to finally be able to attack at the 24 Hours of Daytona again – especially with the LMP2 championship-winning team from the last IMSA season."
With a wealth of experience in endurance racing, including multiple appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, da Costa is looking forward to collaborating with his new team and teammates.
The Porsche Lineup at Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona will feature a strong lineup of Porsche vehicles, including:
Class | Car Model | Team | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
GTP | Porsche 963 | Porsche Penske Motorsport #6 | Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, Kévin Estre |
GTP | Porsche 963 | Porsche Penske Motorsport #7 | Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, Laurens Vanthoor |
GTP | Porsche 963 | Proton Competition #5 | Gianmaria Bruni, Neel Jani, TBC |
GTP | Porsche 963 | JDC-Miller MotorSports #85 | Pascal Wehrlein, Bryce Aron, Tijmen van der Helm |
LMP2 | Oreca 07 Gibson | Inter Europol Competition #43 | António Félix da Costa, Tom Dillmann, Bijoy Garg, Jon Field |
GTD Pro | Porsche 911 GT3 R | Proton Competition #20 | Thomas Preining, Richard Lietz, Claudio Schiavoni, Matteo Cressoni |
GTD | Porsche 911 GT3 R | Iron Dames #83 | Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey, Sarah Bovy, Karen Gaillard |
Conclusion
As the countdown to the 24 Hours of Daytona begins, the excitement builds for both Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa. With their impressive backgrounds in racing and the support of Porsche, they are poised to make a significant impact in this iconic endurance race. Fans and enthusiasts alike will be watching closely as these talented drivers take on the challenge of Daytona.
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