Porsche looking to extend its championship lead

IMSA

Mar 12

Porsche Penske Motorsport is looking to extend its championship lead in the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Following victory at the season opener in Daytona, the factory team is targeting success at the storied 12 Hours of Sebring with its two Porsche 963. Two additional hybrid prototypes from customer teams JDC-Miller MotorSports and Proton Competition will also compete in the top-tier GTP class.

📷© Luc Warnotte at Daytona 2025. The four Posche 963: Porsche Penske Motorsport (left), Porsche customers (right).

The storied endurance race at Sebring is renowned as a punishing test for both man and machine, while also serving as ideal preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. No other circuit on the IMSA calendar places such extreme stresses on the cars. One reason: part of the historic layout runs over a former military airfield. Around 30 percent of the track surface consists of concrete slabs, and the notoriously pronounced bumps present a unique challenge. This is why the track is often referenced with the hashtag #RespectTheBumps on social media.

With 18 overall victories, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in the history of this endurance classic. Between 1976 and 1988, Porsche notched up 13 consecutive wins.

#7 Porsche 963

In the Daytona-winning #7 Porsche 963, Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy will be joined by reigning World Endurance Champion Laurens Vanthoor.

📷© Luc Warnotte at Daytona 2025. #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963.

Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 #7): “After our fantastic season opener win at Daytona, we tested at Sebring in mid-February. Now I can’t wait to get back in the Porsche and fight for another win. The 12 Hours of Sebring is one of the toughest races on the calendar: relentless bumps, constantly changing track conditions, and fierce competition. We know what it takes to be at the front there – we’re going all in.”

📷© Courtesy of IMSA. #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963.

#6 Porsche 963

Factory driver Matt Campbell set the fastest lap during the two-day February sanctioned test at Sebring at the wheel of the #6 Porsche 963.

📷© Luc Warnotte at Daytona 2025. #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963.

Matt Campbell (Porsche 963 #6): “Sebring isn’t just special because of the brutal bumps. The race itself is one of the highlights of the year. We tested there a few weeks ago, which was really important. Last year, we also completed a full endurance test there, which gave us a lot of valuable insights. I think we’re very well prepared. The team atmosphere is fantastic after our Daytona win.”

#85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

The JDC-Miller MotorSports hybrid prototype will be driven by Gianmaria Bruni, Tijmen van der Helm and Porsche factory driver Nico Müller. The regular pilot of the Formula E customer team Andretti celebrates his debut at the wheel of the Porsche 963.

📷© Luc Warnotte at Daytona 2025. JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963 #85.

Nico Müller (Porsche 963 #85): “First of all, I would like to thank JDC-Miller MotorSports, Porsche and also my Formula E team Andretti for making this short-term assignment possible. I am very excited to be completing my first laps in the Porsche 963. I am even more honored to be able to do this at a prestigious racing event such as my first 12 Hours of Sebring. With JDC, Gimmi Bruni and Tijmen van der Helm, I have a lot of 963 and Sebring experience in the team. This will certainly speed up my learning process and put us in a good position.”

#5 Proton Competition Porsche 963

In #5 Proton Competition’s customer-entered Porsche 963, Swiss driver Neel Jani will team up with Chilean Nico Pino and France’s Tristan Vautier.

Neel Jani (Porsche 963 #5): “I’ll be driving the Porsche 963 at Sebring for the first time, and I’m excited. My memories of Sebring are great – I won the race overall in 2022, and I’d love to repeat that. However, it won’t be easy since we missed the recent Sebring test. In IMSA, anything can happen – every race offers everyone a shot. That’s what I love about this series.” Source: Porsche

73rd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will resume March 12-15 with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is due to start at 10 a.m. ET March 15.