Dries Vanthoor led a second consecutive BMW 1-2 finish in IMSA Long Beach FP2 while Robert Wickens claimed the fastest lap in GTD.
The Belgian driver, piloting the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, delivered a commanding performance that solidified his and BMW’s dominance in the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The IMSA Long Beach FP2 session, part of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, was a clear demonstration of BMW Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s (BMW M Team RLL) ability to maintain their competitive edge on this challenging street circuit.
Dries Vanthoor’s fastest lap time of 1:12.201 was not only the quickest of the session but also set him apart by over two-tenths of a second from his teammate Sheldon van der Linde, who secured second place in the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8.
The duo’s performance underscored BMW’s technical prowess and strategic execution, as they dominated the timing sheets with precision and control.
Van der Linde initially led with just five minutes remaining in the session, but Vanthoor’s relentless pace allowed him to reclaim the top spot and further improve his time leaving no doubt about his pole position credentials.
The competition behind the BMWs was led by Jack Aitken in the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R who managed to break into the 1:12 range but still trailed Vanthoor by nearly half a second.
Mathieu Jaminet followed closely in fourth place with a time of 1:12.268 in the #6 Porsche 963 ahead of Felipe Nasr in the sister #7 car, demonstrating Porsche Penske Motorsport’s consistent presence near the front of the grid.
However, their efforts were not enough to challenge BMW’s supremacy during the IMSA Long Beach FP2 session.
MORE IMSA:
Full 2025 IMSA Long Beach FP2 Results
Long Beach IMSA 2025: Van der Linde leads BMW 1-2 in opening practice
Tom Blomqvist emerged as the fastest Acura driver, placing sixth in the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06 with a time of 1:12.414. His teammate Nick Yelloly followed in seventh with a similar performance in the sister #93 Acura.
Ricky Taylor secured the eighth fastest time driving the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac while Tijmen van der Helm and Jordan Taylor rounded out the top ten in the #85 JDC-Miller Porsche and the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac respectively.
Ross Gunn, representing Aston Martin Racing in their lone entry with the #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie, finished eleventh. Despite being outside the top ten, Gunn’s efforts highlighted Aston Martin’s determination to compete against more established prototypes in the championship.
In addition to GTP class action, GTD competitors also took to the track during practice sessions. Robert Wickens, making his IMSA Sportscar Championship debut this weekend, was quickest onboard the #36 DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R with a 1:17.897.
Wickens was just over two tenths quicker than Jonny Edgar in the #77 AO Racing ‘Rexy’ Porsche 911 GT3R while Jack Hawksworth took third in the #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3, just a few hundredths off Edgar.
The 2025 IMSA Long Beach FP2 session featured four red flags which disrupted track action. The street circuit’s tight corners and unforgiving barriers demanded precision from drivers and engineers alike, making every lap an opportunity to gather crucial data.
As IMSA celebrates its long-standing history at Long Beach during this golden jubilee year of racing at the iconic venue, performances like those from Dries Vanthoor and BMW underline why this championship remains one of motorsport’s most competitive series.
With qualifying already completed and race day looming large, all eyes remain on whether the BMW 1-2 finish can be translated into victory under race conditions.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promises thrilling battles across both GTP and GTD classes as teams fight for glory on one of North America’s most prestigious street circuits.
