THE 24 hours of daytona 2025 promise to be one of the highest endurance races in the history of motorsport, with an impressive talent roster comprising 14 former Formula 1 pilots. This year's event is not only a Opening act for the IMSA Sportscar championship, but a star show that mixes speed, strategy and an unprecedented level of competition.
A star meeting of F1 alumni
It is not every day that we see a selection of former F1 pilots fighting wheel against wheel apart from an exhibition race, but Daytona 2025 makes this dream possible. Kevin Magnussen, Felipe Nasr, Romain Grosjean, Daniil Kvyat and Kamui Kobayashi are the headliners of this roster, each seeking to leave his brand under the spotlight of the endurance race.
Magnussen, who runs in the BMW M Hybrid V8 alongside Philipp Eng, Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor, addresses the event with omitock. Freshly out of a pole position produced by Vanthoor, the Danish star aims to improve his quasi-victory in 2021, when a late puncture wiped out his hopes. With a car that won his first victory in Indianapolis last year, Magnussen is ready for his redemption.
Felipe Nasr, IMSA champion last year and winner in Daytona, returns with Porsche Penske Motorsport in a formidable team including Nick Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor. Nasr's ability to adapt and dominate in the endurance race devotes it as a pilot to watch.
Meanwhile, Grosjean and Kvyat combine in the Lamborghini SC63, a significant car after a difficult 2024 year. Their performance will test if Lamborghini's internal efforts can offer a competitive package.
GTP class: where legends meet
The GTP category, the upper class of the IMSA, has five manufacturers deploying hybrid prototypes at the cutting edge of technology under the LMDH regulations. Cadillac, Acura, Porsche, BMW and Lamborghini all compete for supremacy. Each car combines an engine and a body designed by the manufacturer with a specified hybrid system, leveling the playing field and emphasizing the skills of the drivers and the execution of the team.
-Cadillac leads the load with a robust presence, including Jack Aitken, Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti in Whelen Cadillac. Acura, with Meyer Shank Racing at the helm, brings a refresh program after overcoming past controversies, while Porsche benefits from the power of Nasr, Pascal Wehrlein and Gianmaria Bruni.
Rising stars and Indycar crossover
Daytona 2025 is not only a matter of F1 alumni; It is also a test field for rising stars and versatile talents. The Indycar champion Alex Palou joins Acura, while Pascal Wehrlein, the 2024 Formula E champion, notes the challenge with a private Porsche entry. Christian Rasmussen, Colton Herta and Callum Ilott lead the LMP2 class, highlighting the diversity of talents unparalleled by the event.
Why DAYTONA stands out
Daytona's unique charm lies in its unpredictability and accessibility. Unlike the severe requirements of Le Mans, the frequent IMSA yellow flags allow teams to recover from the setbacks, guaranteeing dramatic returns and thrilling purposes. The time of the event, which marks the start of the race season, gives it an atmosphere of “first day of return to school” which attracts pilots from all over the world of motor sport.
In addition, the Daytona LMDH regulations fills the gap between the IMSA and the world endurance championship, allowing manufacturers to compete on both sides of the Atlantic. This synergy fueled the rise of the IMSA, attracting global attention and raising competition at unprecedented levels.
To be monitored in 2025
- Magnussen's redemption arc: Can he finally win a victory in Daytona with BMW after being so close to the victory in 2021?
- Nasr's domination: Will he continue to reign as one of the best in endurance alongside a well-supplied Porsche team?
- Lamborghini's progress: Can Grosjean and Kvyat bring the SC63 in the running after last year's growth pain?
- IndyCar rencontre IMSA : Palou, Herta and Rasmussen bring a star power of Indycar, while pilots like Scott McLaughlin and Shane Van Gisbergen add intriguing crossover stories.
Daytona's inheritance grows
With its casting of stars, advanced machinery and a story of thrilling ends, 24 hours of daytona There remain a jewel of endurance. The 2025 edition still raises the challenges, promising fierce fights, dramatic moments and perhaps the birth of a new legend. Whether it is F1 veterans, emerging talents or endurance specialists, Daytona is the place where the best in motorsport meet – and where anything can happen.
