Porsche Dominates ‘Roar Before the 24’ Testing at Daytona
The 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona is shaping up to be a competitive showdown, with Porsche clearly in the lead during the ‘Roar Before the 24’ test. All three Porsche 963 entries consistently claimed the fastest laps across the sessions, confirming their strong form as they prepare for the upcoming race.
Cumulative GTP Overall Results (Fastest Lap)
- Penske Porsche #7 (Nasr/Andlauer/Heinrich): 1:36.327 (Session 1)
- JDC-Miller Porsche #85 (Pino/Frederick/van der Helm): +0.004 (Session 1)
- Penske Porsche #6 (Vanthoor/Estre/Campbell): +0.108 (Session 1)
- WTR Cadillac #10 (R. Taylor/Albuquerque/Stevens): +0.404 (Session 4)
- WRT BMW #24 (S. van der Linde/D. Vanthoor/Frijns/Rast): +0.415 (Session 2)
- WTR Cadillac #40 (J. Taylor/Deletraz/Herta): +0.574 (Session 1)
Consistent low lap times in the 1m36s range were achieved in race trim, setting expectations high ahead of qualifying, where laps in the 1m34s to 1m33s are anticipated.
Long-Run Analysis: Porsche’s Consistency
Focusing on long-run performance, Porsche’s two factory entries excelled:
- Penske Porsche #7: Average 1m38.095s (113 laps under 1:40)
- Penske Porsche #6: +0.096 (119 laps)
- WTR Cadillac #10: +0.358 (125 laps)
While Aston Martin struggled with an engine change, leading to limited track time, Porsche’s early pace and long-run consistency positioned them as clear frontrunners. Cadillacs and BMWs showed competitiveness, but Porsche’s dominance remains evident.
Top 20 Percent Laps: Cadillac’s Gains
The fastest laps also underscored competitive edges:
- Penske Porsche #6: 1m37.135s
- JDC Miller Porsche #85: +0.102
- WTR Cadillac #10: +0.133
Cadillac demonstrated potential for qualifying competitiveness, with benchmarks from earlier races indicating they can close the gap on individual laps.
Team Insights
Comments from team leaders and drivers reveal optimism:
- Urs Kuratle (Porsche LMDh Project Chief): “The Porsche 963 ran flawlessly, positioning us well for the season opener.”
- Filipe Albuquerque (Cadillac #10): “We are content with car balance and will now focus on data analysis.”
Sheldon van der Linde from BMW noted a need for further adjustments, hinting at untapped potential ahead of race day.
Conclusion
As teams regroup for three more practice sessions and qualifying on Thursday and Friday, Porsche remains the clear favorite unless significant adjustments arise from IMSA’s Balance of Performance regulations. Pre-test results suggest strong competitiveness across the board, especially from the leading manufacturers, setting the stage for an exhilarating race weekend.
