Rolex 24 At Daytona: Porsche Commands Early Lead Amidst Multiple Incidents
The #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 leads the 64th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona after three hours of racing, currently under a Full Course Yellow. However, the Porsche 1-2 has been disrupted; the #6 Porsche 963 suffered damage, forcing it to the back of the GTP field. Co-driver Kévin Estre detailed the incident, stating, “I had a very small contact on the right side with a P2 coming out of the pit.”
In the GTD Pro class, the #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo has retired after a crash instigated by Daniel Serra, who lost control and collided with James Calado’s #033 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari. The incident resulted in critical damage to Serra’s car and prompted a third Full Course Yellow.
Further complications arose when the #59 RLL Team McLaren GT3 Evo, previously contending in the top four, was forced to the garage due to a suspected electrical failure. Additionally, Will Power, competing in the #75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, incurred a 100-second penalty for failing to comply with stint energy requirements.
A fourth Full Course Yellow was declared following a collision between Dylan Murry’s #83 AF Corse USA ORECA LMP2 and Adam Adelson’s #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R. Murry spun, leading to a collision that both drivers exited without injury.
As the race resumes, Julien Andlauer maintains the overall lead in the #7 Porsche, followed closely by Álex Palou in the #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06. AJ Allmendinger drives the #60 MSR Acura into third, while Cadillac drivers Ricky Taylor and Earl Bamber hold fourth and fifth.
In the LMP2 category, PJ Hyett of AO Racing leads in the #99 ORECA 07-Gibson, with Grégoire Saucy and Bijoy Garg following in second and third, respectively. Sebastian Alvarez set the fastest LMP2 lap and is currently fourth.
In GTD, Turner Motorsport’s Patrick Gallagher pressures the field with the lead, trailed by Tom Gamble in the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, and Albert Costa in the #34 Conquest Racing Ferrari, who sits third.
As the race continues, teams will be looking to recover from early setbacks in the quest for victory.
