The annual pre-Rolex Media Day took place today at the Daytona International Speedway, with almost the entire suite of drivers available for a catch-up ahead of the season opener.
Here are some key snippets from the parade of talent that strolled through media row:
AO geared up for title defence
With AO Racing’s #77 ‘Rexy’ Porsche sporting a single ’24’ gold tooth to mark its GTD Pro Championship win now for the start of the season, the target is clear: fill in the grill again.
2024 Drivers’ champion Laurin Heinrich is bullish ahead of the season opener. He feels the team is in an even stronger position now than it was 12 months ago and cannot wait to get back to work.
“Last year we didn’t think about winning the championship but it started so well and by Laguna, we were leading and didn’t give it back to anyone else after that,” he reflected. “It was great, but now we come back and we feel even stronger than before. The team is better prepared and more experienced and I feel we have good chances again. We should be more competitive than last year.
“You always say consistency is key and in the driver line-up, we didn’t last year (with Seb Priaulx leaving the team mid-season). So it was a challenge. But I was really lucky to be supported by strong drivers like Klaus (Bachler), Michael (Christensen) and Julien (Andlauer).”
This year Heinrich is being joined by Bachler for the full season and Alessio Picariello for the Endurance Cup rounds.
For Picariello, this weekend’s Roar is set to be particularly important. He returns to the GTD ranks after multiple seasons away, meaning the pre-race track time is set to key for him to get up to speed with the team and the Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 on the banking.
“I haven’t driven in IMSA GTD for three years now, so I need to get used to everything again,” he said. “Last year I was in GTP so it’s a different way to manage traffic. AO is a new team for me too, so this weekend will be good for me to get used to working with everyone.”
AWA “confident” ahead of Year 2 with Corvette
The mood at Corvette customer team AWA is totally different heading into Year 2 of its GTD programme with the Z06 GT3.R.
This time last year the team was firefighting all the problems and tasks associated with competing with a brand-new car, in a new class. It was a real baptism of fire.
12 months on, the team is up to speed with the Corvette and the Z06 GT3.R has been refined by Chevrolet and Pratt Miller.
Thus, Matt Bell, who is in for the full season with 2024 Akin Award winner Orey Fidani, is confident about the team’s chances.
“To step up from LMP3 to GTD with a brand that hasn’t run a big customer program before was a big leap of faith,” says Fidani’s full-season teammate Matt Bell. “There were trials and tribulations last year, especially at Daytona, but we sit here today even happier than we were when we made the decision to go for it.
“The response from Corvette, GM and Pratt Miller was phenomenal, and the car improved. I can safely say that a year on, we go into Daytona expecting to compete for the win, that’s the sole goal. I’ve driven a lot of GT cars in my career and I feel that at the moment, the Corvette is the best car you can drive.”
What about the title? Fidani feels it will be a tough ask.
“It’s difficult with the line-ups in the class and I have to work on myself a little bit,” he said. “But my goal is to win the Akin Award again, to get on the podium. We will try our best when it comes to the championship.”
Lamborghini drivers ready for fresh start with SC63
After a challenging winter break for everyone involved in the Lamborghini SC63 programme, it has come as a relief that the IMSA GTP programme will continue on.
Factory driver Mirko Bortolotti, who is back at Rolex for a 10th consecutive start in 2025, forms part of the Riley-supported team’s line-up for Daytona and told DSC he’s treating this as a fresh start.
“It’s great to see the car finally at Daytona in GTP as we didn’t do the race last year, just the test. We are all looking forward to it. The main target and focus for us is to keep developing the car and that’s our goal here.
“The commitment is there from the factory or we wouldn’t be here. The goal is to build it up as a new beginning. We are all motivated and working in the right direction.”
Deletraz enjoying new experience with V-Series.R
Wayne Taylor Racing driver Louis Deletraz says he is surprised by the differences between the Acura ARX-06 he drove previously with the team and the Cadillac V-Series.R he will campaign this year following its brand switch in GTP.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in the car so far,” he explained. “But it’s more different than I thought. The engine, with the sound, is so different, but it’s really cool to drive and open up the throttle on the banking.
“The power delivery is great too and the traction is stronger. We have more control with this car on the accelerator, and less lag from the turbo. There may be negatives and I need more time but the traction of the Cadillac has really surprised me.”
Testing has been limited for the WTR outfit over the winter, but the level of ambition is no different. The team expects to be pushing hard for wins off the bat.
“It’s a lot of work for the team, as the team is switching manufacturer and that comes with a lot of work,” he continued. “But it’s interesting to start work with GM and Cadillac though. We are learning every day and I believe we have a shot at winning. We want to start the season strong.”
Hartley ready for Rolex cameo
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Brendon Hartley and Kamui Kobayashi are here in Florida bolstering the Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac effort as fourth drivers for the team’s pair of V-Series.Rs.
For Hartley, the hope is that this will be the year he finally wins the Rolex 24 outright after six previous attempts and a previous-best finish of second.
It won’t be easy for him, or WTR at this early stage of its Cadillac reunion, but over the years he’s become adept at learning the intricacies of different prototypes in rapid time. His previous appearances with Starworks, Ganassi, ESM, Action Express and more recently, WTR, give him confidence he can hit the ground running.
“I’ve driven a Cadillac before but this will be my first time in a GTP car. I’m familiar with my teammates and Waye Taylor Racing though. I’ve just come from Indianapolis with Kamui where we spent a day on the simulator to get up to speed with the controls,” he said.
“Although these prototypes are quite similar in a way, all the functions are completely different. So you’ve got to learn a whole new driver manual. The simulator helps. But I can’t wait, I feel at home here.”
Barnicoat and Hawksworth on the Vasser Sullivan line-up shuffle
With the wait for the debut of Lexus’ brand new GT3 car still ongoing, Vasser Sullivan is back again with its pair of Lexus RC F GT3s for 2025.
Achieving big race wins and titles at this stage in the car’s lifecycle has been far from easy, but the team continues to push on with the same mentality and outlook.
The big change for the effort this year is a shuffle in its driver line-ups. After three years together Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth have been split, with the former staying in GTD Pro and the latter moving to GTD. It will require some recalibration, but in general, both are energised by the season ahead.
“I’m really happy to be in GTD Pro again, as that was a big reason why I joined Lexus. I wanted to be in the high-level GT series so I’m happy to continue at the pinnacle of American GT racing,” Barnicoat said.
“I trust the team’s decision. I’m not going to say I wanted to split from Jack because he’s incredible and we achieved so much, but it’s like they say: ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’.”
Hawksworth added: “I’ve been with the team for a long time, Lexus for a long time, the same side of the garage for a long time, but sometimes you need something new to get your teeth into. I feel rejuvenated.”
What Goes Around…
DragonSpeed boss Elton Julian was looking relaxed in the paddock today as he looked over the GTD Pro opposition he will be taking on with 2024 Rolex 24 winner Risi Competizione. “We’re feeling good about the effort, and the field is looking very cool.”
His team though, has a second interest in the paddock too. The Pratt Miller #73 ORECA in LMP2 is actually the car campaigned in 2024 by DragonSpeed, the Pratt Miller outfit has leased the car and equipment for the season.
“So effectively, they are paying me to race against them!” He quipped.
Kellymoss and Riley announce Strategic Motorsports Alliance
Kellymoss and Riley have formed a strategic new entity, VICCI Inc., designed to support and grow brands in the racing and automotive industries.
Kellymoss and Riley will retain their independent operations and focus on their unique areas of expertise. The brands’ collaboration through VICCI is designed to enhance their strengths, drive innovation, and create new opportunities together across the industry.
“Kellymoss and Riley are established powerhouses in their respective fields,” said Bill Riley, of Riley “Together, this strategic alignment will position us to reach new heights in racing and automotive excellence.”
“We’re excited for the opportunity to amplify what we do best, partnering at a new level, leveraging complementary expertise and resources while still retaining the individual DNA of our successful brands,” said Victoria Thomas, of Kellymoss.
Priaulx living the dream at Ford
With his new role as a Ford factory driver, Seb Priaulx is following in his father’s footsteps this year in IMSA’s GTD Pro class.
“It was sad to leave AO last year, we won two races and me and Laurin had a great partnership, but whatever Multimatic want me to do, I do,” he explained.
“So I worked hard on preparing for this year and I’m really happy with the outcome. This is my dream place, being a Ford factory driver is something I’ve wanted to achieve since I was a kid. I can’t believe it…
“I haven’t had a whole lot of laps ahead of the Roar. We did a test in Indy and a test in Daytona, so I’ve only done about two days but it’s a fairly simple car to drive. I’m still learning, and having the engine at the front is different, but I am used to that with experience racing Ginettas and the Mustang GT4.”
Tasked with driving the #64 Mustang GT3 with Mike Rockenfeller for the season, the 23-year-old heads into the season with high hopes that Multimatic will unlock the full potential of the car this year and challenge for the title.
“It’s always good to get a season under your belt. I am coming in at the best time really, as Multimatic has learned a lot. There’s a great chance to win here, and it would be a dream. One step at a time, but everything is in place.”
United reveals 2025 colours
United Autosports became the latest IMSA team to reveal its 2025 liveries earlier today. Its pair of LMP2 class ORECAs are set to run in a tweaked version of last year’s design.
IMSA LIVERY REVEAL
… And your LMP2 duo are BOTH in blue for the 2025 season, with just a few small changes to our 2024 look courtesy of @seanbulldesign
What do we think team? Double trouble in Daytona?
#BeUnited #IMSA #Rolex24atDaytona pic.twitter.com/PzmR20cEUa— United Autosports (@UnitedAutosport) January 16, 2025
