IMSA News: Vanthoor puts #24 BMW on 12 Hours of Sebring Pole
No. 24 BMW driver Dries Vanthoor stormed to pole for the IMSA Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with a lap of 1m47.091s in qualifying.
Vanthoor, in the No. 24 Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8, beat the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 of Tom Blomqvist by just 0.025 seconds.
It marked Vanthoor’s second pole in as many races this season in the car the Belgian will share with Philipp Eng and Kevin Magnussen in Saturday’s second leg of the Michelin Endurance Cup.
Related Article: IMSA News: Van Der Linde, BMW Pace Sebring Thursday Practice
Vanthoor’s older brother Laurens is part of the driver lineup for the championship-leading No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Penske 963, the Rolex 24 winner, along with Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, who is in pursuit of his first Sebring overall win. Nasr qualified the No. 7 Porsche third for Saturday’s 12-hour race.
“The red flag didn’t cause any issues,” Dries Vanthoor remarked. “We had a plan, so at the end, it didn’t change much. In a normal qualifying session, you maybe get two chances. Now you only had one. It makes a bit more pressure to get that lap together. It makes it a bit more difficult. But yeah, it also makes me a bit, how I would say, nervous or fired up at the same time. Looks like it’s working!”
Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Felipe Nasr recorded the third quickest time in the No. 7 Penske Porsche 963, ahead of teammate Mathieu Jaminet in fourth.
Neel Jani made it three Porsches in the top-five in the No. 5 Proton Competition entry, with Renger van der Zande sixth in the No. 93 MSR Acura.
Defending race winner Louis Deletraz, of Wayne Taylor Racing, was the best of the Cadillac contingent in seventh.
LMP2: Thomas is Tops in No. 11 TDS Racing ORECA at Sebring
Steven Thomas claimed LMP2 pole honors, taking his No. 11 TDS Racing Oreca 07 Gibson to a fast lap of 1m51.804.
It was 0.115 seconds quicker than the No. 99 AO Racing entry of PJ Hyett, with United Autosports’ Nick Boulle qualifying third in class.
The pole was the sixth in IMSA competition for Thomas, but his first since the 2022 WeatherTech Championship Motul Petit Le Mans season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Thomas also earned the LMP2 pole at Sebring in 2021.
“When they changed the LMP2 cars when the GTP formula started in 2023, the balance of the cars changed and I struggled that first year,” Thomas said. “I thought I was driving as fast as I ever had, but there are so many fast Bronze-rated drivers and every week it seems like it’s someone else.
“This feels really good for an old man to get a pole.”
Thomas paid tribute to his co-drivers – Platinum-rated Jensen and Silver-rated Hunter McElrea.
“The great thing about qualifying as a Bronze driver is we are all on our limit,” said Thomas, who will chase his sixth career win in the WeatherTech Championship. “Here at Sebring with the bumps, it’s very challenging to stay on your limit every corner the whole way round. Hunter and Mikkel coached my up and helped me get this pole, which I really enjoy.
“To be able to qualify the car means so much because it feels like you’re really contributing to the win at the end of the day,” he added. “We also start the race, and that gives you a chance to put your team in a good position. I think qualifying means a lot to all the Bronze drivers because it makes us a factor in the race, which is what we really want.”
Ferraris Claim GTD Pro, GTD Pole Positions at Sebring
DragonSpeed led a Ferrari sweep of the production-based classes, with Albert Costa giving the Elton Julian-led team its first GTD Pro pole position.
Costa recorded a best lap of 1m59.225s in the No. 81 Ferrari 296 GT3 to edge out defending class champion Laurin Heinrich in the No. 77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R by 0.172 seconds.
Neil Verhagen qualified third in class in the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ahead of teammate Dan Harper and the No. 3 Pratt Miller Motorsports-run Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Antonio Garcia, who completed the top-five.
GTD pole honors went to the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari of Alessandro Pier Guidi, who was quickest overall amongst the GT classes but will start behind the entire GTD Pro grid per IMSA’s updated sporting regulations for this year.
Pier Gudi’s time of 1m59.131 lap time was more than three-tenths clear of the No. 32 Korthoff Competition Motors Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo of Kenton Koch.
Jack Hawksworth was third in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is set for a 10 a.m. EST start time on Saturday, with live coverage on Peacock.
12 Hours of Sebring Qualifying Results
|
Pos |
PiC |
No. |
Class |
Drivers |
Team |
Car |
Time |
Behind |
|
1 |
1 |
24 |
GTP |
P. Eng / D. Vanthoor / K. Magnussen |
BMW M Team RLL |
BMW M Hybrid V8 |
1m47.091s |
+0.000 |
|
2 |
2 |
60 |
GTP |
T. Blomqvist / C. Braun / S. Dixon |
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian |
Acura ARX-06 |
1m47.116s |
+0.025 |
|
3 |
3 |
7 |
GTP |
F. Nasr / N. Tandy / L. Vanthoor |
Porsche Penske Motorsport |
Porsche 963 |
1m47.522s |
+0.431 |
|
4 |
4 |
6 |
GTP |
M. Jaminet / M. Campbell / K. Estre |
Porsche Penske Motorsport |
Porsche 963 |
1m47.598s |
+0.507 |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
GTP |
N. Jani / T. Vautier / N. Pino |
Proton Competition |
Porsche 963 |
1m48.074s |
+0.983 |
|
6 |
6 |
93 |
GTP |
R. van der Zande / N. Yelloly A. Palou |
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian |
Acura ARX-06 |
1m48.108s |
+1.017 |
|
7 |
7 |
40 |
GTP |
J. Taylor / L. Deletraz / B. Hartley |
Wayne Taylor Racing |
Cadillac V-Series.R |
1m48.126s |
+1.035 |
|
8 |
8 |
10 |
GTP |
R. Taylor / F. Albuquerque W. Stevens |
Wayne Taylor Racing |
Cadillac V-Series.R |
1m48.171s |
+1.080 |
|
9 |
9 |
85 |
GTP |
T. van der Helm / G. Bruni N. Mueller |
JDC Miller MotorSports |
Porsche 963 |
1m48.228s |
+1.137 |
|
10 |
10 |
25 |
GTP |
M. Wittmann / S. van der Linde R. Frijns |
BMW M Team RLL |
BMW M Hybrid V8 |
1m48.780s |
+1.689 |
|
11 |
11 |
63 |
GTP |
M. Bortolotti / R. Grosjean / D. Kvyat |
Automobili Lamborghini Squadra Corse |
Lamborghini SC63 |
1m49.304s |
+2.213 |
|
12 |
12 |
23 |
GTP |
R. Gunn / R. De Angelis / A. Riberas |
ASTON MARTIN THOR Team |
Aston Martin Valkyrie |
1m49.400s |
+2.309 |
|
13 |
1 |
11 |
LMP2 |
S. Thomas / M. Jensen / H. McElrea |
TDS RACING |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m51.804s |
+4.713 |
|
14 |
2 |
99 |
LMP2 |
P. Hyett / D. Cameron / J. Edgar |
AO Racing |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m51.919s |
+4.828 |
|
15 |
3 |
2 |
LMP2 |
N. Boulle / J. Correa / B. Hanley |
United Autosports USA |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m52.444s |
+5.353 |
|
16 |
4 |
22 |
LMP2 |
D. Goldburg / P. Di Resta / R. Lindh |
United Autosports USA |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m52.604s |
+5.513 |
|
17 |
5 |
18 |
LMP2 |
K. Ohta / D. Hansson / T. Lutke |
Era Motorsport |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m52.944s |
+5.853 |
|
18 |
6 |
88 |
LMP2 |
L. Perez Companc / M. Perez Companc N. Nielsen |
Af Corse |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.196s |
+6.105 |
|
19 |
7 |
52 |
LMP2 |
R. Sales / B. Pedersen / M. Beche |
PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.400s |
+6.309 |
|
20 |
8 |
04 |
LMP2 |
G. Kurtz / M. Jakobsen / T. Sowery |
Crowdstrike Racing by APR |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.443s |
+6.352 |
|
21 |
9 |
74 |
LMP2 |
G. Robinson / F. Fraga / J. Burdon |
Riley |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.498s |
+6.407 |
|
22 |
10 |
43 |
LMP2 |
T. Dillmann / B. Garg / J. Clarke |
Inter Europol Competition |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.769s |
+6.678 |
|
23 |
11 |
73 |
LMP2 |
P. Fittipaldi / J. Roe / C. Cumming |
Pratt Miller Motorsports |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m53.891s |
+6.800 |
|
24 |
12 |
8 |
LMP2 |
J. Farano / S. Alvarez / S. Bourdais |
Tower Motorsports |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1m55.877s |
+8.786 |
|
25 |
1 |
21 |
GTD |
S. Mann / L. Wadoux Ducellier A. Pier Guidi |
Af Corse |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1m59.131s |
+12.040 |
|
26 |
1 |
81 |
GTDPRO |
A. Costa / D. Rigon / G. Altoè |
DragonSpeed |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1m59.225s |
+12.134 |
|
27 |
2 |
77 |
GTDPRO |
L. Heinrich / K. Bachler / A. Picariello |
AO Racing |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
1m59.397s |
+12.306 |
|
28 |
2 |
32 |
GTD |
S. Lucas / K. Koch / M. Goetz |
Korthoff Competition Motors |
Mercedes-AMG GT3 |
1m59.513s |
+12.422 |
|
29 |
3 |
12 |
GTD |
J. Hawksworth / P. Thompson F. Montecalvo |
Vasser Sullivan Racing |
Lexus RC F GT3 |
1m59.518s |
+12.427 |
|
30 |
3 |
1 |
GTDPRO |
M. Snow / N. Verhagen C. De Phillippi |
Paul Miller Racing |
BMW M4 GT3 EVO |
1m59.666s |
+12.575 |
|
31 |
4 |
57 |
GTD |
R. Ward / P. Ellis / I. Dontje |
Winward Racing |
Mercedes-AMG GT3 |
1m59.684s |
+12.593 |
|
32 |
4 |
48 |
GTDPRO |
M. Hesse / D. Harper / J. Krohn |
Paul Miller Racing |
BMW M4 GT3 EVO |
1m59.768s |
+12.677 |
|
33 |
5 |
3 |
GTDPRO |
A. Garcia / A. Sims / D. Juncadella |
Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1m59.897s |
+12.806 |
|
34 |
6 |
4 |
GTDPRO |
T. Milner / N. Catsburg / N. Varrone |
Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1m59.926s |
+12.835 |
|
35 |
5 |
47 |
GTD |
L. Patrese / G. Sernagiotto / A. Fuoco |
CETILAR RACING |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
2m00.048s |
+12.957 |
|
36 |
6 |
27 |
GTD |
T. Gamble / C. Stevenson Z. Robichon |
Heart of Racing Team |
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo |
2m00.061s |
+12.970 |
|
37 |
7 |
78 |
GTD |
M. Goikhberg / M. Farnbacher P. Kligerman |
Forte Racing |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
2m00.226s |
+13.135 |
|
38 |
7 |
14 |
GTDPRO |
A. Telitz / K. Kirkwood / J. Lopez |
Vasser Sullivan Racing |
Lexus RC F GT3 |
2m00.227s |
+13.136 |
|
39 |
8 |
021 |
GTD |
S. Monk / S. McAleer / M. Skeen |
Triarsi Competizione |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
2m00.258s |
+13.167 |
|
40 |
8 |
9 |
GTDPRO |
A. Caldarelli / M. Mapelli J. Hinchcliffe |
Pfaff Motorsports |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
2m00.493s |
+13.402 |
|
41 |
9 |
64 |
GTDPRO |
M. Rockenfeller / S. Priaulx / B. Barker |
Ford Multimatic Motorsports |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
2m00.533s |
+13.442 |
|
42 |
10 |
65 |
GTDPRO |
C. Mies / F. Vervisch / D. Olsen |
Ford Multimatic Motorsports |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
2m00.614s |
+13.523 |
|
43 |
9 |
34 |
GTD |
M. Franco / D. Serra / C. Sbirrazzuoli |
Conquest Racing |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
2m00.734s |
+13.643 |
|
44 |
10 |
96 |
GTD |
P. Gallagher / R. Foley / J. Walker |
Turner Motorsport |
BMW M4 GT3 EVO |
2m00.782s |
+13.691 |
|
45 |
11 |
20 |
GTDPRO |
C. Schiavoni / M. Cressoni / R. Lietz |
Proton Competition |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
2m00.814s |
+13.723 |
|
46 |
11 |
83 |
GTD |
S. Bovy / R. Frey / M. Gatting |
Iron Dames |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
2m00.843s |
+13.752 |
|
47 |
12 |
023 |
GTD |
O. Triarsi / C. Scardina / A. Rovera |
Triarsi Competizione |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
2m00.946s |
+13.855 |
|
48 |
13 |
120 |
GTD |
A. Adelson / E. Skeer / T. Sargent |
Wright Motorsports |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
2m01.206s |
+14.115 |
|
49 |
14 |
80 |
GTD |
D. Knox / E. Filgueiras / S. Andrews |
Lone Star Racing |
Mercedes-AMG GT3 |
2m01.728s |
+14.637 |
|
50 |
15 |
36 |
GTD |
S. Yoluc / A. Udell / C. Eastwood |
DXDT Racing |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
2m01.814s |
+14.723 |
|
51 |
16 |
19 |
GTD |
R. van der Steur / V. Hasse-Clot A. McIntosh |
van der Steur Racing |
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo |
2m01.983s |
+14.892 |
|
52 |
17 |
13 |
GTD |
O. Fidani / M. Bell / L. Kern |
AWA |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
2m02.274s |
+15.183 |
|
53 |
18 |
66 |
GTD |
J. Hand / T. Bechtolsheimer T. Calderon |
Gradient Racing |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
2m02.435s |
+15.344 |
|
54 |
19 |
45 |
GTD |
D. Formal / T. Hindman / G. Doyle |
Wayne Taylor Racing |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
2m02.786s |
+15.695 |
|
55 |
13 |
31 |
GTP |
J. Aitken / E. Bamber / F. Vesti |
Cadillac Whelen |
Cadillac V-Series.R |
||
|
56 |
20 |
70 |
GTD |
B. Iribe / F. Schandorff / O. Millroy |
Inception Racing |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |