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Circuit racing’s unofficial curtain raiser every year, the 24 Hours of Daytona (and the IMSA SportsCar Championship) is in a period of boom right now. Jack Benyon is your guide to the 2025 edition, from Kevin Magnussen’s BMW berth to why Daytona is a race on the rise
In this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona, there are 14 ex-Formula 1 drivers participating, a remarkable sight for a single race outside of exhibition events. The event signifies the growing popularity of motorsport, with a diverse field of 11 manufacturers competing. IMSA’s switch to LMDh rules for its top GTP class in 2023 leveled the playing field with other prestigious championships like the World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours. The success of IMSA also stems from its competitive GT classes, with 37 cars entered across these categories in this year’s race. Noteworthy drivers to watch at Daytona include Kevin Magnussen, who is starting his post-F1 career with an impressive BMW line-up aiming for victory in the top class. Felipe Nasr, last year’s winner, is another driver to keep an eye on, leading a strong Porsche Penske Motorsport team also featuring Laurens Vanthoor.
