BMW’s Dries Vanthoor Secures Pole Position for Daytona 24 Hours
Dries Vanthoor clinched the pole position for the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship’s opening round at the Daytona 24 Hours, marking a significant milestone for BMW’s M Hybrid V8 LMDh. Following his impressive qualifying lap, Vanthoor emphasized that the pole is only "a little cherry on a big cake," with the main event—the race—yet to come.
The pole signifies the M Hybrid V8’s competitiveness, confirming its pace against established rivals, such as Acura, Porsche, and Cadillac. Notably, BMW’s performance evolved from its previous season, where it struggled despite securing a couple of wins—one notably due to a disqualification of a Porsche at Watkins Glen. The BMW M Hybrid topped four of six sessions during the pre-event Roar test, a promising sign heading into the race weekend.
Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport, acknowledged the late decision to enter the LMDh category, which was made in June 2022. However, the team has increasingly harnessed the car’s potential, signifying a marked improvement in results, including a podium finish in the World Endurance Championship at Fuji.
This season, BMW introduced a brake system upgrade aimed at enhancing consistency. The strategic collaboration across IMSA and WEC has proven beneficial, as drivers like Vanthoor and Sheldon van der Linde share insights and experiences from both series, facilitating quicker development.
The M Hybrid V8 is benefitting from IMSA’s Balance of Performance (BoP), including a weight minimum of 1,030 kg and the maximum power output of 520 kW (698 bhp). The new BoP adjustments aim to balance performance further, introducing a power gain element at specific speeds.
Kevin Magnussen stressed the importance of vehicle reliability, particularly in the critical final hours of the race, a period known for thrilling finishes in Daytona history. He noted the necessity of maintaining aerodynamic integrity to ensure optimal performance.
As anticipation builds, BMW stands poised as a frontrunner for the Rolex 24, with its pace underscoring a strong contender’s status. The race kicks off on Saturday, promising a highly competitive showdown to the finish.
