Qualifying for the 24 hours of Daytona: pole and record #31 Cadillac | FP – Results

By Carlo Platella
Rumble Before the 24-hour test weekend officially ends with the qualifying session, to define the starting grid for the next weekend’s 24 hours. In all classes there is great uniformity on the jump lap, with small gaps and a great mix of manufacturers. Cadillac dominates the front row in the GTP, quickly followed by Porsche, BMW and Acura. Among the GTs, Lexus stands out, second in GTD-Pro and in pole position in GTD.

GTP

Pipo Derani takes the V-LMDh to first place, giving Wehlen Cadillac Racing a good chance with the #31 Dallara, which will also be driven in the race by Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist. Dirani entered 1’32”656”‘, lowering Blomqvist’s fastest lap of the 2023 edition by more than a second, but above all breaking the 2019 absolute record of 1’33”655”, held by Oliver Jarvis and Mazda. In fact, all nine chronometric times in the GTP were lower than the previous record, a sign of the joint action of all participants.

Another #1 Cadillac Racing V-LMDh will start in second place, driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Renger van der Zande #1. Before the houses to chase it Porschethird on the grid with the official Penske #7 with the time set by Felipe Nasr, ahead of Connor De Philippi on BMW #7. A third row instead of the two Acura of WTR Andretti, the best is the #5 of Louis Deletraz, who in the race will share the cockpit with Jenson Button, Colton Herta and Jordan Taylor. Finally, no time for the Porsche #5 of Proton Racing, unable to participate in qualifying due to an accident in the test sessions.

LMP2

It does not stop Ben Keating, which adds a new column position to its palms. United Autosport #2 will start off the pace with a time of 1’38”501”’, with a crew that will also include Ben Hanley, Patricio O’Ward and Nico Pino. It should be noted that Ben Keating will participate in the 24 hours in two classes, also competing in GTP with the JDC Miller Porsche 963. Back in the LMP2 class, Nick Boulle qualified in second place with the Inter Europol #52, trailing by almost 1 tenth. Finally, we see the tenth place for AF Corse #88 with Luis Perez Companc, joined by Lilou Wadoux, Nicklas Nielsen and Matthieu Vaxiviere.

GTD and GTD Pro

It will be #77 AO Racing Porsche to lead the departing GT squad. The 911 GT3 R won the top spot in the GTD Pro class, with a crew consisting of Christensen-Heinrich-Priaulx, the latter setting a best time of 1’44”382”. Second place went to Sullivan’s Lexus #14, with Jack Hawksworth just 80 thousand behind, followed by Ben Barnicoat, Mike Conway and Kyle Kirkwood. Third overall for GTs, with a pole position in the GTD class for others Lexus Sullivan, #12 of poleman Parker Thompson, Aaron Telitz, Ritomo Miyata and Frankie Montecalvo. Second place in class for MDK Motorsport Porsche #86 with Bacher-Li-Fjordbach-Voorde.

About the Italians, Iron Lynx Lamborghini Huracan #19 is fifth in GTD-Pro with Caldarelli-Bortolotti-Pepper-Perera, ahead of him Ferrari #62 by Risi Competizione with Pier Guidi-Calado-Serra-Rigon. In GTD, fourth place for Lamborghini #45 of WTR Andretti, ahead of Huracan #78 of Forte Racing. The trio of Ferraris is just behind, led by the #34 of Victory Competition in sixth, ahead of the #47 of Cetliar Competition and the #23 of Triarsi Competizione. Go to the following LINK You can consult the full qualification results. We are now awaiting the publication of the race-specific Performance Balance, after the interim BoP was contacted on the eve of testing. The 24-hour kick-off is scheduled for 7.40pm Italian time on Saturday 27 January, with live streaming on IMSA TV.