The nearly two-month wait is over at the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship returns to action for the 74th Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.

Ask any sportscar driver what is the toughest endurance race in the world. Most drivers will point you to one race in particular: Sebring. Since 1952, the runways of the former Hendricks Army Airfield have tested man and machine alike. The race, brainchild of Alec Ullman, has now become a must-win to have on any driver’s resumes. The second leg of the “Endurance Racing Triple Crown” completes the 36 Hours of Florida that starts the IMSA season. What is in store for the teams and drivers as they prepare to battle a full trip around the clock in Central Florida?

GTP: Bucking The Trend?

Felipe Nasr enters Sebring as the defending champion, fresh off a third successive triumph in the Rolex 24. It’s an accomplishment that even Felipe is still in awe at. “It’s still incredible to look back and see what we have achieved,” Nasr ponders openly. “I love driving and winning for Roger, for Team Penske, for Porsche Penske Motorsport. It’s a unique opportunity for all of us to be heading up to Sebring again.” This year’s Sebring is all the more unique with the boss man serving as grand marshal…no pressure kids.

Nasr and his Porsche Penske team are looking to rewrite an overlooked piece of history at Sebring. Presently, we have yet to see a team go back-to-back at Sebring in the top class since the intro of the WeatherTech Championship in 2014. But if any time can undo this stat, it’s Porsche Penske. The “Penske Perfect” standard is evident everywhere you look from preparation to execution. If you look within the team, no stone is unturned and every scenario is assessed with a fine-tooth comb. This is why they has won the last two IMSA championships in GTP and are favorites for a third straight.

However, as expected, this will not be a simple walk in the park. BoP sees the Porsche 963 given a 20kg weight increase, making it the heaviest prototype in the field. In addition, the car will also see energy replenishments and power reductions. Beyond BoP, Nasr has two new teammates for this Sebring. Both Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich are no strangers to Sebring. But this will be their first time at Sebring in top-flight prototype machinery. This, though, doesn’t phase Nasr, “Porsche has a great portfolio of drivers. I have the chance to work with different drivers with different skills. It’s a high level we are seeing right now in terms of drivers…it’s just great.”

With a harsh BoP and revised lineups, the ask for Porsche Penske to repeat is tall…but doable.

Cadillac Lurking in the Shadows?

Cadillac Whelen/Action Express Racing could be the biggest challengers to Porsche Penske Motorsport this weekend. Their last three finishes in endurance races: first, first, second. This team has shown to be the best in IMSA’s long distance races as of late. Their tenacity, grit and fight at Daytona proved as much. Plus, if you think Jack Aitken has forgotten the move at the end of the Rolex 24, you don’t know Jack Aitken. That will be fresh on his mind if he is in the same position come Saturday night. This is not to say he won’t race Nasr dirty, but he will make life for the Brazilian very difficult.

Their stablemates at Wayne Taylor Racing are looking for their second win in three years. This year, the 2024 winning trio of Colton Herta, Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz are re-united and hoping for similar results. Deletraz says that continuity goes a long way in races like this. “Continuity is very important. Of course, Jordan, Colton and I, we have a great, great relationship. One thing that matters when you trust each other, you can push together,” the Swiss driver told GT REPORT.

While the team is the same, the car is not. Their 2024 win came with Acura. Fast forward and WTR are in their second season back with Cadillac. Louis spoke on the growing pains of the switch, “A lot of new people, a lot of new things to learn, and a new car for everyone. So that took time to get together. We were pretty much behind every other team who knew the cars already. So, in such a competitive field, it’s hard to catch up.”

It also doesn’t help when IMSA’s BoP adjustments didn’t favor Cadillac. Like Porsche, there were energy stint and power reductions. The V-Series.R was also handed a 10kg weight increase from Daytona. But BoP adjustments are not the end all, be all. Cadillac looks to overcome as they seek their first Sebring win since 2023.

The Bumps (finally) Respecting Meyer Shank?

At Sebring there is a saying, “Respect The Bumps.” It is a similar ethos used at Daytona, Indianapolis and Le Mans: respect the track to gain its favor. I wonder if that is the philosophy needed for Meyer Shank Racing. For all their success elsewhere in IMSA, Sebring – for one reason or another – eludes them. Whether it is in Prototype, GT Daytona or GTP, MSR just doesn’t seem to like Sebring. The team’s best finish is 3rd on two occasions.

The team does have two bright spots to cling on. First, that second third came last year and that was after missing 2024. Secondly, as we have already mentioned, Acura won Sebring two years ago. This is a team that knows how to win. They have a high-caliber lineup of drivers. HRC is putting their best foot forward on this project. The law of probability leads you to believe one of these years MSR will break through at Sebring and get the job done.

A great run at Sebring would do wonders for MSR after the Rolex 24 found them to not be as competitive as they hoped. Like their GTP brethen, Acura was given weight increase and energy reductions. Despite the weight increase, the numbers do look favorable as MSR looks to give Acura a second Sebring win in three years.

Keeping The Streak Alive…

Since the inception of GTP in 2023, no manufacturer has (yet) won more than once. In all likelihood, that will be broken this weekend. But there are two manufacturers that could possibly keep this run going. Team WRT are coming into Sebring off a debut podium in the Rolex 24. The Belgian sportscar mainstays, new to IMSA running BMW’s GTP program, look right at home in their new surroundings. Vincent Vosse and his team look to keep turning heads this weekend. If WRT pulls out the win this weekend, it will be the first for BMW since Road America last August. It would be the first endurance win since Indy in 2024. Furthermore, you would have to go back to (checks records…yes, really) 1999 for the last time BMW tasted victory outright at Sebring.

One year ago, Sebring marked the US debut of the Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH. Admittedly, while they finished their first Rolex 24, it was nothing to write home about. That still does not take away from how far Heart of Racing and Aston Martin have come in development of this car. With their first podium at the end of last season at Petit Le Mans, there is plenty to look forward to for year two of the Valkyrie. Now the car has a notebook as it revisits tracks. It also helps that they did not receive any BoP adjustments. If strategy falls their way, a podium is not out the question for the loveable V12 monster.

Prediction Time

Like we did for Daytona, and what we will do for the season, I have asked our editor-in-chief, Miguel, and my co-writer on the IMSA scene, Dylan, to predict who we think will be on top in each of the four classes. Let’s start with who will claim overall honors Saturday night.

Miguel Bosch, GT REPORT Editor-In-Chief: Until someone beats them, why pick someone else? Give me the #7 Porsche. You just can’t get around this team. They won Daytona, they won Sebring last year…no reason to assume they can’t again this weekend. Felipe Nasr, Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich go back-to-back.

Dylan Spaulding, GT REPORT IMSA Writer: My pick is the #31 Whelen Cadillac. They were so close to overpowering the Penske Porsches at Daytona. I think that Daytona runner-up will be converted to the top step of the podium. Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti will be victorious in the Sebring night come Saturday.

David Lawrence, GT REPORT IMSA Writer: I mentioned earlier that Meyer Shank Racing has not had the best luck at Sebring before. But last year, they grabbed a podium. In a car that has won here, with a (considerably) favorable BoP, I think MSR returns Acura to victory at Sebring. In particular, there is something about that #93 crew I like. Alex Palou has winning momentum from the start of the IndyCar season and watch out for Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande. We know they are fast peddlers. I think they got that extra hunger to nab them an endurance win and will do so on Saturday.

LMP2: Carrying Momentum in an Unpredictable Class

Crowdstrike by APR comes into Sebring fresh off a victory in the Rolex 24. Subsequently, they should be the favorite going into Sebring. Winning and the subsequent momentum can do a lot for a team. “Momentum is a big, big thing in motorsports,” says Crowdstrike driver Toby Sowery.

Concurrently, Toby recognizes the unique challenge the LMP2 class produces in IMSA. “In endurance racing, especially in IMSA, you are never out of it,” Sowery remarks. “As long as you are within reach, you got an opportunity to get back. Especially in P2, it’s all so close.” Above all else, that is the kicker. With a full class of 12 cars in equal machinery, each race is all to play for. Tom Dillman, who finished second to Sowery and Co. in Daytona, echoes this sentiment. “I don’t want to discount anyone,” the Inter Europol driver observes. “On a race by race basis…you never know what can happen.”

Undeniably, and ironically, it was Crowdstrike by APR that defined this logic. From being part of the opening lap incident to winning the race 24 hours later, Daytona was the latest case study of how anything in P2 is possible.

Spoiler Alert: Sebring will be no different.

AO Racing and Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen were fast in Daytona and hovered up front throughout the 24 hours. They were just on the wrong end of the fuel mileage game. Tower looks to find the speed that led them to second at Sebring last year. But they will have a new driver aboard. Tristian Vautier has been tapped to replace Sebastien Bourdais, who left the team after Daytona. Pratt Miller Motorsports showed speed until they fell out and Intersport performed well on their IMSA return with a sixth-place finish.

Regardless, there are some teams that always find their way to the top. “InterEuropol, APR, United…just because of the consistency and experience of the teams,” touted Dillman. United, in particular, is looking to bounce back. After being locked out of the podium, combined with a disastrous 24 hours for the #2 car, United will be expecting nothing short of victory in Sebring. They will need it to keep up with Crowdstrike and InterEuropol. Once those teams get going, usually nothing can stop them. But repeating what has been previously said, LMP2 is a class where nothing is for certain.

Prediction Time

MB: Once again, I will go with last year’s winners to repeat. The #43 InterEuropol Competition team finished second at Daytona and with the line up they boast, it is very hard to bet against them. Tom Dillmann, Bijoy Garg and Jeremy Clarke are who I have my eye on this weekend.

DS: I like Spike. The #99 of AO Racing is a formidable team and with the spec format in LMP2, the 99 feels like a strong pick. They will have the speed, so look out. Dane Cameron, PJ Hyett and Jonny Edgar are ready to pilot Spike to victory lane.

DL: You cannot keep a team like United Autosports down for long. After missing the podium at Daytona, they will return in a big way winning at Sebring. Now…the fun part…which United car? Hmmm…because it is a fun back to front story I will take the #2. Once Phil Fayer completes his minimum three hours, Hunter McElrea and Mikkel Jensen are going to fly. If they don’t hit trouble, I definitely see this car fighting for victory late…and emerging on top.

 

The successor to the Huracan has arrived as Lamborghini debuts the Temerario at Sebring

GTD PRO: All Eyes on Lambo

Sebring has always been the place for debuts…the Audi R8 and Audi R10 just to name a few. Last year, Sebring marked the IMSA debut of the Aston Martin Valkyrie. This year, Sebring will once again christen a new racer. The 12 Hours will mark the global racing debut for Lamborghini’s newest GT3 challenger, the Temerario. Pfaff Motorsports has put the car through its paces in testing both in the states and in Italy. The time has come to see what the car can do in anger and it has quite the challenge for its first ever race. Pfaff is a championship team and with Lamborghini factory support. They will be more than equipped to ensure the car completes it maiden voyage.

As the team and Lamborghini are determined for this race, so are the drivers. Frenchman Franck Perera has been drafted in for Sebring completing an all-factory driver lineup with full season drivers Brit Sandy Mitchell and Italian Andrea Caldarelli. Like Pfaff, these men have also been developing the car through the aforementioned rigorous testing program. Now, they have the opportunity to show what the car is truly capable of against their rivals.

Nevertheless, Pfaff and Lamborghini are hoping their new weapon will eventually turn around their fortunes. The team only scored one podium last season, third in Detroit. The team’s Huracan send-off netted them a sixth in the Rolex 24 after leading in the early stages. With the Huracan platform being a success, time will tell if the Temerario will pick up the mantle and keep Lamborghini at the front.

Porsche Looking to Repeat…

Outside of Lambo’s big debut, all eyes has to be on Porsche. AO Racing are the defending champions in GTD PRO at Sebring. Belgian-born Alessio Picariello is back as the team’s endurance driver to defend their Sebring title. But a lot of things are different around him this time. First, it will not be “Rexy” he will be driving this weekend. His sister, “Roxy”, will be making an appearance as the pink dino livery will be running its first endurance race.

Different Drivers

Secondly, he has a new cast of co-stars. Defending overall winner Nick Tandy and IMSA newcomer Harry King, the team’s full season drivers, will partner Picariello. Alessio talks about bringing the dynamic together, “Nick and I met more or less this year. We’re Porsche drivers, but we never really worked together before. So, Daytona was the first time we worked together. Harry, I knew from the past because we did the Bathurst 12 Hour in the same car that we won in class. So, yeah, for sure, the chemistry had to come.”

Additionally, as the trio are building chemistry, there is the added hurdle that King has never raced at Sebring. Alessio, however, does not sound like this will be a hindrance. “Yeah, it’s Harry’s first time being in Sebring, but he has been testing there already,” Picariello remarks. “We have the chance to test as much as we can. He knows the track well already, he was fast in testing. So I’m not worried about his pace…I’m looking forward to a fun day.”

…and a (slightly) different car…

Lastly, the car itself is different as this is the Porsche 911 GT3R (992) Evo which is in only its second race. Picariello stated that while the changes are small, it’s all down to setup. “In terms of driving, you don’t really feel a difference,” the Belgian says. “As far as setup and what the engineer sees on data, you see a difference. The car has a little bit more drag as well. It was very, very visible at Daytona. At Sebring, it’s a little bit less so. At the end of the day…it’s a little bit better in reliability.”

And this is what AO and Manthey are hoping for. Will the late race speed from Daytona, which carried the Manthey crew to a fourth-place finish, continues into the Sebring weekend? Only time will tell as BoP gave Porsche a power increase with a 6 kg weight increase to balance. The Stuggart brand is always good on the former airfield. Let’s see if 2026 will be any different.

And no, we haven’t forgetten the rest…

Elsewhere, Paul Miller Racing looks to remain flying high from their awesome Daytona win. Corvette is out for redemption after suspension problems and plain bad luck. Multimatic and Ford hope to keep the speed from Daytona without the engine burning the car down this time. RLL and McLaren persevered through their first race together to the finish (and even got a fastest lap out of it). Dean McDonald (not Juri Vips as expected) joins Nikita Johnson, fresh off an IndyNXT win at St. Pete, and Max Esterson at Sebring.

Certainly, Risi and Triarsi hope to make more noise for Ferrari as Daytona passed with a whimper. Vasser Sullivan will race the Lexus RC F one last time at Sebring on Saturday. Jack Hawksworth looks to the car’s positive past as hope for a competitive outing. “It’s been a good spot for us and hopefully we can kind of keep that trend going,” comments the British driver. Finally, Winward return their GTD PRO effort after their Daytona podium, flying the banner for Mercedes in the class.

Oh, speaking of Mercedes and Winward…but first…

Prediction Time

MB: Thought I was gonna keep picking last year’s winners, huh? Not this time. Instead, I am picking Paul Miller Racing here. They had two cars here last year and where did they finish? Second and third, behind winners AO. They downsized back to one car for this year and started the season by winning Daytona. Need I say more? Neil Verhagen, Connor de Philippi and Max Hesse start the season 2-0.

DS: Ferrari has been a heavy sutor for race wins. This weekend, it’s Risi’s turn. They haven’t won since 2024, so what a better time for an IMSA staple to return to the top? Give me that beautiful, scarlet red #62 Ferrari with Davide Rigon, Daniel Serra and Alessandro Pier Guidi at the controls.

DL: After the hard luck they suffered at Daytona, the #3 Corvette is out for redemption. With the red, white and blue special, it will be tough. It will be close. But I think Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports have what it takes to bounce back and outlast the field for 12 hours. Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims and Marvin Kirchoffer…been there, done that, will do it again.

GTD: It’s Winward’s World…

Alright…where was I? Oh yes. Winward Racing…maybe the only team more dominant in IMSA than Penske right now. And that’s saying something. Let’s run down their list. The team is fresh off a third Daytona win in the last five years. They have won Sebring AND the GTD season title the last two years running. Here’s the kicker…the team is staying on top in a car that has been in service for ten years. The Mercedes AMG GT3 has not had an EVO upgrade in six years!

So how has the team been able to maintain their success? “Knowing the car helps us,” says Philip Ellis, Winward’s Gold-rated Pro driver. Ellis goes on to say the team has been able to maximize and work around BoP. “It’s not down to outright pace inherently. There’s not much we can actually find on the car anymore because it is older. We can focus more on torque sensors, tires, and strategy without fiddling on strategy too much.”

Consequently, despite having newer cars, how can their competitors beat them? Just doing the basics help. “We know when to keep our noses clean,” says Heart of Racing’s Tom Gamble. “The crucial thing of interest is being there at the end of the race.” Gamble and Heart of Racing definitely know how to be there when it matters. HoR scored four top-5s in the five endurance races in 2025, highlighted by their win at Watkins Glen. Daytona continued the trend as their third-place finish makes four podiums in the last six enduros. If anyone is able to dethrone the GTD dynasty of Winward, Heart of Racing is a safe bet.

An Embarrassment of Riches…

After Winward and Heart of Racing, there really is a wide-open endless list of choices to choose from. Corvettes showed speed in Daytona. Maybe DragonSpeed, 13 Autosport or DXDT could finish the job after twelve hours. Turner Motorsport and BMW were also very competitive in Daytona and could prove equally competitive here. After a disappointing race, Riley-Myers and Gradient hope to bring Ford back to the top end of the class. AF Corse, Inception, Triarsi and Conquest will work to make sure Ferrari is in the fight late. And you can never count out Wright and Vasser Sullivan with their Porsche and Lexus respectively.

GTD is LMP2, just heavy on the spice. Nineteen entries representing nine manufacturers and all the makes of unpredictability. We talk about how Winward have dominated the class recently, but in hindsight every single team has a chance to step into the spotlight. The question now left to answer is who will emerge victorious.

Prediction Time

MB: I am picking the obvious favorite. Won Daytona, defending series champions, defending Sebring winners. Need I say more? Give me Winward and the #57. Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, Indy Dontje are at the wheel and that’s all I need to know.

DS: While all the talk is about the new Temerario, I think the old Huracan warhorse will score a win. While Wayne Taylor Racing continues to search for their first win since reuniting with Cadillac, they will not leave empty handed. Given their success with Lambos at Sebring, I like WTR to get the W with their #45 in GTD for the 12 Hours. Trent Hindman, Danny Formal, and Graham Doyle prevail victorious.

DL: I can’t ignore Aston Martin. If their Daytona speed carries over to Sebring, that #27 will be one to watch. Heart of Racing has a hidden weapon in Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello, whom they speak of very highly. With Tom Gamble and Zach Robichon partnering with him for Sebring, this team has talent to match their car. If the strategy and luck fall in their favor, watch Gamble (their Pro driver) streak away in the dark to victory.

Weekend Outlook (All Times ET US)

On-Track Schedule 

Thursday is practice day at Sebring. The first of two 90-minute session will take place at 10:05am. In between the two 90-minute practice will be an extended 1 hour 45 minute session at 4pm. The second 90-minute session, the only night time running teams will get before Saturday, goes from 7:45pm-9:15pm capping off a full day of on-track action. The only action for Friday is qualifying to set the field, starting promptly at 11:25am. Finally, Saturday is Race Day with the green flag set for 10:10am.

TV/Radio Coverage

On the radio front, IMSA Radio provides coverage for every on-track session. The on-air team, led by John Hindhaugh, Ryan Myrehn and Arjuna Kankipati, will be your listening guides all weekend. Log on to IMSARadio.com for comprehensive coverage starting Thursday morning at 10am. Race morning coverage begins at 9am. SiriusXM will simulcast the IMSA Radio feed on Channel 380 (Cars) and 996 (SXM App) with flag-to-flag commercial free coverage starting at 10am.

To watch the race, IMSA TV and IMSA YouTube will stream the race, with IMSA Radio commentary per usual, available outside the United States. In the US, NBC Sports will have all the coverage on Peacock and NBCSN with the on-air team lead by Leigh Diffey, Calvin Fish, Brian Till and Matt Yocum. Coverage of qualifying will be streamed on both platforms Friday morning at 11:20am. Race coverage on both platforms will go live Saturday morning at 10am. IMSA YouTube will stream the race flag-to-flag and commercial free. Peacock will stream the race in its entirety with exclusive coverage of the start. NBCSN will simulcast the second half of the race with coverage starting at 5pm going all the way to the checkered flag.

GT REPORT Coverage

And what is the 12 Hours of Sebring without GT REPORT? Writer Dylan Spaulding and photographer Nick Wierdo will be on-site for us all weekend long, capturing the action as it happens. Stay tuned to the site for the latest updates and stories from the 74th running of America’s oldest endurance race. For all our coverage, click HERE to access our Sebring content hub. Enjoy the racing everyone!

Headline Photo: The transition from sunset to dark at Sebring 2025 Photo Courtesy: Brandon Badraoui/Facebook/LAT Images