Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams are primed and ready for the highly anticipated 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, shifting gears immediately after a successful three-day Roar Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). This weekend, four formidable Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries will battle it out in the twice-around-the-clock endurance race on the challenging 3.56-mile DIS road course. Motorsport enthusiasts can catch the live action on NBC network, commencing at 1:30 p.m. EST this Saturday, January 27th. The entire 24-hour spectacle, marking the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will be broadcast across the NBC family of networks and Peacock, culminating in the Rolex 24 conclusion on NBC from noon to 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 28th.
The quartet of Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams contending for glory at the Rolex 24 showcases a diverse lineup. SunEnergy1 Racing spearheads the GT Daytona (GTD) Pro-class challenge, while Winward Racing, Korthoff Preston Motorsports, and newcomer Lone Star Racing represent the brand in the fiercely competitive GTD class. These teams, featuring seasoned drivers and cutting-edge machinery, are all focused on achieving Mercedes Daytona victory.
SunEnergy1 Racing’s No. 75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 boasts a potent driver lineup. Reigning GTD Pro Rolex 24 victors Jules Gounon and Maro Engel reunite, sharing driving duties with Luca Stolz and team owner/driver Kenny Habul. SunEnergy1 Racing previously tasted Rolex 24 success with a runner-up finish in 2021, just behind fellow Mercedes-AMG team Winward Racing. Gounon and Engel further cemented their Daytona credentials with a win last year under the WeatherTech Racing banner.
Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports are set to launch their full-season campaigns with consistent driver rosters. Winward Racing’s No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will see the familiar faces of Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, Indy Dontje, and Daniel Morad behind the wheel. This quartet aims to replicate their 2021 GTD-class triumph at Daytona. Ward, Ellis, and Dontje were instrumental in the team’s debut Rolex 24 victory three years prior, alongside Maro Engel.
Korthoff Preston Motorsports also maintains continuity, fielding their 2023 Rolex 24 driver lineup in the No. 32 Mercedes-AMG GT3. Mike Skeen, Mikael Grenier, Kenton Koch, and Maximilian Götz return, seeking to convert their past Daytona pace into a race win. Despite leading the most GTD laps in the previous year’s race, a mechanical issue on Sunday morning unfortunately derailed their victory aspirations.
However, their strong showing at Daytona in 2023 laid the groundwork for a dominant season in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC). The Korthoff Preston team, alongside Mercedes-AMG and drivers Skeen, Grenier, and Koch, achieved a clean sweep of all IMEC GTD honors, showcasing their endurance racing prowess.
Adding further depth to the Mercedes Daytona contingent, Lone Star Racing makes its Rolex 24 debut. This experienced Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team brings a strong driver lineup including returning team member Scott Andrews, Adam Christodoulou, Salih Yoluç, and Rui Andrade. Lone Star Racing is eager to make a strong first impression on the Daytona stage.
The Roar Before the Rolex 24 concluded with Rolex 24 qualifying, setting the stage for the race. Maro Engel in the SunEnergy1 No. 75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 secured the fastest qualifying time among the Mercedes-AMG entries, positioning the car on the outside of GTD Pro row five.
The GTD class qualifying saw close competition between Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports. Philip Ellis in the Winward car and Mikael Grenier for Korthoff Preston posted near-identical lap times, placing their cars side-by-side on row nine of the starting grid. Adam Christodoulou, qualifying for Lone Star Racing in the No. 80 Mercedes-AMG GT3, positioned his car just one row behind the No. 75 and No. 32, highlighting the competitive spread of the Mercedes Daytona entries.
Mercedes-AMG GT4 machinery also saw action at the Roar, participating in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Marc Miller, a previous IMSA race winner with Mercedes-AMG GT4, delivered a standout performance as a substitute driver in the No. 37 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4 during Saturday’s VP Racing SportsCar Challenge race. Stepping in for Eddie Killeen, Miller fought at the front throughout the sprint race, ultimately securing a podium finish in third place.
In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, two familiar and race-winning Mercedes-AMG GT4 teams participated in Grand Sport (GS) practice sessions. Bryce Ward and Daniel Morad, GS race winners in 2023, reunite in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4. Michai Stephens and Jesse Webb, known for their Pirelli GT4 America performances, join Pilot Challenge GS this year in the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4, further expanding the Mercedes Daytona presence across different racing categories.
The official schedule for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona commenced on Wednesday, January 24th. The main event, the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, will commence at 1:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 27th, with live broadcast coverage starting at 1:30 p.m. EST on NBC. International viewers can access live race coverage and additional content from the Rolex 24 weekend at www.IMSA.tv.
Quotes from Mercedes-AMG Drivers:
Maro Engel, Driver – No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The Roar test was very productive for us. We made positive strides with the car’s setup, ensured all drivers got valuable track time, and practiced our race procedures. Integrating team members, both returning and new, from last year’s WeatherTech Racing team has been seamless and efficient. While outright pace has been challenging, our focus remains on optimizing our race car. It handled well in qualifying, delivering a solid lap, and we are concentrating on race performance.”
Adam Christodoulou, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Receiving a last-minute call-up from Lone Star Racing was fantastic. Despite the late organization, I’m thrilled to be here. Qualifying presented mixed emotions, but we are focused on maximizing our current situation. We’ll fine-tune the car’s balance in the upcoming practice sessions to ensure we have a robust setup for the 24-hour race. In a race this long, anything can happen.”
Mike Skeen, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We accomplished a great deal this week, building on our December test here where we learned about the new Michelin tires. The car’s handling is excellent, and we are very pleased with its current state. While the Roar timesheets may not fully reflect our potential, I am confident that we will have a highly competitive car for the Rolex 24. We have a strong driver lineup and crew, and we are aiming to contend for the win.”
Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Qualifying wasn’t quite the result we hoped for, especially after securing pole position the last two years. The car isn’t performing at its peak yet. However, we trust IMSA to assess the situation. The car feels good, and I have faith in our team to improve. We have a solid understanding of the new Michelin tires and our desired setup direction, so we are in good shape for the race. The Rolex 24 is my favorite event of the year, with an incredible atmosphere and track.”
Bryce Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “I’m very happy with the GT4 car and eager to start the season by securing points in the four-hour race. My goal is a clean race to the finish. We might be slightly off pace initially, but I believe we can match the leading cars in the second half of the stint. If we remain close to the front, we have a strong chance with Daniel at the wheel.”
Marc Miller, Driver – No. 37 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4: “Starting the season with a podium is fantastic. I was initially disappointed not to have achieved a win, but quickly realized the significance of a podium finish. The Thaze team’s management and approach are exceptional. They are a pleasure to race with. I’m grateful to Eddie Killeen for allowing me to race his car, and I’m confident he will have a successful season.”
