Porsche Penske Motorsport Clinches 1-2 Finish at Laguna Seca
Laguna Seca, CA — In a display of strategic racing and driver skill, Porsche Penske Motorsport secured a dominant 1-2 finish at Laguna Seca, reinforcing their supremacy in both the IMSA and FIA WEC seasons. The team’s Car No. 6, driven by Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet, marked Campbell’s first win of the 2025 season, while Car No. 7, piloted by Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr, showcased competitive prowess.
Key Race Insights
The victory, while decisive, was not without its challenges. Early in the race, Campbell faced turbulence as he dropped from second to third position after being overtaken by teammate Nasr. Around the race’s 40-minute mark, a near-miss occurred when Campbell attempted to pass the No. 45 Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini. A collision with Danny Formal’s car led to a momentary loss of pace as anti-stall features engaged.
"I lost a little bit of time there with the contact," Campbell recounted. Despite the setback, strategic calls by crew chief Jonathan Diuguid were pivotal. "We made the right call, boxing when we did,” Campbell added, praising Jaminet’s flawless performance in managing the closing laps.
Competitive Context
As the race progressed, Jaminet capitalized on an early pit strategy, setting the fastest lap while building an early lead. His ability to save fuel and manage battery usage proved crucial against fierce competition, notably from the No. 24 Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8.
“It was fun out there. One of the best stints of racing in a long time,” Jaminet reflected, underscoring the intense battles for position amid a competitive field. Remarkably, the entire race avoided a Full Course Yellow—an anomaly not seen in IMSA since 2019.
Championship Implications
With this victory, Porsche extends its lead in the GTP Manufacturers’ Championship to 164 points, while the duo of Tandy and Nasr sits 280 points ahead of their closest rivals in the Drivers’ and Teams’ standings. This race history echoes the dominance of previous seasons, and anticipation builds among fans and competitors alike as to when Porsche’s reign might face a significant challenge.
As the motorsport community watches closely, the question looms: who will emerge to disrupt Porsche’s formidable streak in North American racing?
