2026 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona: BMW Clinches GTD Pro Victory, Team WRT Secures Podium Finish
Daytona Beach, FL — The 2026 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona concluded with significant triumphs for BMW, highlighted by Paul Miller Racing’s win in GTD Pro and Team WRT’s podium finish in the GTP class.
GTD Pro Results
Paul Miller Racing’s #1 BMW M4 GT3 Evo, piloted by Dan Harper, emerged victorious in GTD Pro, finishing 2.2 seconds ahead of the second-place 75 Express Mercedes-AMG. Winward Racing’s #48 Mercedes completed a BMW-dominant podium, showcasing the resilience and strategic prowess of the Paul Miller team after a challenging previous year.
Early race favorites, Corvette Racing’s Z06 GT3.R entries faltered, with the #3 car suffering suspension issues and the #4 car encountering difficulties during a late-race restart, eliminating their chances for podium placements.
Harper attributed the victory to an effective strategy and strong performance from the entire team. “The strategy was always good. We decided to go full push… It was crucial to get that track position for the last stint, and yeah, the boys pulled it off,” he stated.
GTP Performance
Team WRT’s debut with the updated BMW M Hybrid V8 culminated in a commendable third place overall, with Dries Vanthoor steering the car to the finish. While the team faced fierce competition from established rivals, their podium finish signals a promising start in IMSA.
WRT Team Principal Vincent Vosse remarked, “Our expectations were not so high after qualifying… To have a competitive car to deliver a podium was great.” He also acknowledged the need for continual adaptation: “It wasn’t the fastest, but we were in the fight… We are learning twice as fast with WEC and IMSA.”
Outlook
The Rolex 24 hours served as a critical testing ground for LMDh manufacturers, with varying success. Vosse concluded that while the updated M Hybrid V8 displayed encouraging potential, further adaptation is necessary before the Sebring 12 Hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship season opener.
As teams regroup for upcoming races, BMW’s performance at Daytona sets a strong foundation for the remainder of the season.
