Vanthoor Aims for Victory Following Impressive Pole Streak at Laguna Seca
Dries Vanthoor showcased his exceptional qualifying skills with a fourth consecutive pole position in the IMSA series at Laguna Seca, a feat not achieved since Ricky Taylor’s six-pole streak in 2011. The Belgian driver, representing BMW M Team RLL, is now focused on converting pole into victory as the team seeks its first win of 2025 amid intense competition.
Despite Vanthoor’s dominant qualifying performances, he expressed frustration at not yet securing a win. “I’m very happy to have four consecutive poles, but I’m a bit sad I don’t have any wins out of them,” he stated. A race day victory is critical, especially with team owner Bobby Rahal serving as Grand Marshal for the Monterey SportsCar Championship.
Vanthoor’s latest pole came after a competitive session, where he narrowly outpaced rivals including Porsche Penske Motorsport and Acura Meyer Shank Racing. “It was very close. I was a bit upset with the Porsche for blocking, but I’m still happy about getting pole,” he acknowledged.
Currently, Vanthoor and co-driver Philipp Eng hold only one podium finish despite their qualifying prowess. He noted the need for flawless race execution and tire management, indicating, “We’ve been working hard since the last race to come here fully prepared. We just need to take care of the tires and stay out of trouble.”
Vanthoor has also praised the revitalized atmosphere within the BMW team under new management: “Everybody is very motivated and pushing hard; that’s very important.” As they prepare for the race, all eyes are on Vanthoor and the BMW squad to finally transform pole positions into a long-awaited victory.
