Rolex 24 At Daytona: The World Is Watching.
7 Australians join the field for one of the world’s greatest races.
The 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona once again highlights its status as a premier international motorsport event, with drivers from 31 countries set to compete in this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opener. From the United States to Europe, South America, Asia, and of course Australasia, the entry list represents the pinnacle of endurance racing.
The diversity of the field is remarkable, with only one car—the No. 47 Cetilar Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 in the GTD class—featuring an all-national lineup, piloted by Italians Roberto Lacorte, Nicola Lacorte, Lorenzo Patrese, and Antonio Fuoco.
New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin, who will share the No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R with fellow Kiwi and former Supercar rival Shane van Gisbergen, Ben Keating, and Connor Zilisch, praised the event’s international appeal. “It’s amazing how much depth there is in motorsport worldwide,” said McLaughlin. “You get this world championship feel in sports car racing, like Formula 1, and that’s what makes it so special.”
The United States leads the entry list with 57 drivers, but nations such as Great Britain, Italy, France, and Denmark are also well-represented. Great Britain, notably, fields the most drivers in the GTP prototype class, while the United States has the highest representation in the LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD categories.
For British driver Alexander Sims, who will race the No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Corvette Z06 GT3.R, the diversity feels natural. “Although it’s the American sports car championship, it’s such an international series that it doesn’t feel strange to be part of it,” Sims said. “The quality of the grid is second to none.”
In qualifying Dries Vanthoor (BEL) drove to first place with a time of 1:33.895 minutes, securing the first pole position since the start of BMW M Motorsport’s LMDh programme.
Matt Campbell leads the Aussie charge in the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963. He is joined by LMP2 standout and defending class winner James Allen who will start Sunday’s race from pole position in class.
Garnet Patterson will start third in LMP2 steering the #2 Oreca for CrowdStrike Racing by APR, as Australian talent features prominently.
Scott Andrews, driving the Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, had a tougher qualifying session, placing 18th in the GTD field, however, compatriot Tom Sargent enjoyed a dream debut after his Wright Motorsports teammate Ayhancan Güven secured pole position in their Porsche 911 GT3 R.
New Zealand’s Hunter McElrea also impressed, qualifying fifth in LMP2 with the TDS Racing entry, while Aussie Josh Burdon placed eighth in class for Riley in the #74 Oreca.
In GTD Pro, the Trackhouse Racing by TF Sport #91 Corvette Z06 GT3.R—featuring Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin, alongside Ben Keating and Connor Zilisch—qualified eighth. Ford, however, dominated the category, securing a front-row GTD Pro lockout.
Popular Bathurst ratepayer and Conrod Straight resident,Kenny Habul, will share the 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Maro Engel, Jules Gounon, and Mikaël Grenier, after qualifying ninth in GTD Pro.
This year’s event underscores the Rolex 24’s enduring legacy as a melting pot of international motorsport talent, bringing together drivers from all disciplines to compete on Daytona’s hallowed ground. With the green flag set to wave on Sunday at 5:40 a.m. AEDST, the global grid is ready to deliver another unforgettable chapter in endurance racing history.
Watch all the action as it unfolds live here on the In Pit Lane webpage.
