IMSA’s Competitive Presence at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is prominently featured in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing a robust lineup of teams, drivers, and personnel. With a reputation for endurance racing excellence, this year’s event marks the 93rd Grand Prix d’Endurance, and key narratives are emerging around several IMSA participants.
Porsche Penske Motorsport (PPM) is a focal point, striving for Porsche’s 20th overall Le Mans victory and Roger Penske’s inaugural win. After an unprecedented start to the IMSA season, where they secured four consecutive wins, PPM has faced challenges in the FIA World Endurance Championship, finishing no higher than eighth in their initial three races. The team’s No. 4 entry, featuring Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Pascal Wehrlein, secured its Le Mans grid position through the 2024 IMSA GTP title.
“Winning Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans in the same year would be incredible,” Nasr commented, highlighting the significance of clinching the Triple Crown in 2025. Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor, racing in the No. 6 Penske Porsche, share this ambitious goal, underlining the team’s unified effort across both championships.
Cadillac enters the race with a four-car strategy, including a debut effort from Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing and the returning Cadillac Whelen (Action Express Racing), enhancing its competitive landscape in the Hypercar class. The collaboration and resource pooling under GM’s "One Cadillac" initiative promise to strengthen their performance. WTR, with a track record of five Rolex 24 at Daytona wins, aims to capitalize on its recent podium finish in Detroit.
Meanwhile, the Whelen Cadillac team, though experienced, looks to overcome the setbacks of previous years. Driver Felipe Drugovich remains focused despite potential last-minute changes due to obligations in the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
Earl Bamber, who will race for Hertz Team JOTA at Le Mans, noted the benefits of inter-team collaboration: “Bringing the drivers closer is critical for our success at Le Mans.”
Aston Martin THOR Team also represents IMSA, fielding V12-powered Valkyrie AMR-LMHs, continuing their commitment to both IMSA and WEC after a challenging development journey that began in 2019. Driver Ross Gunn emphasized the pride in seeing the Valkyrie return to the track.
In the LMP2 and LMGT3 categories, IMSA drivers will also compete through the Jim Trueman and Bob Akin Awards. Notably, 2024 Trueman Award winner Nick Boulle and the Inter Europol Competition enter with two cars, aiming to replicate their 2023 LMP2 class victory.
Alongside contenders like George Kurtz and PJ Hyett vying for the 2025 Trueman Award, AWA Racing’s Orey Fidani spearheads the team’s LMGT3 debut after securing the 2024 Akin Award. Heart of Racing Team will field an Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3, backed by Prodrive.
As the grid establishes itself, fans in North America are poised to witness an event rich with potential and competitive spirit, eagerly anticipating the chance for IMSA teams to claim victory across all classes.
