The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona features a star-studded lineup of talent including several former F1 drivers.
The prestigious endurance race which will be held at the iconic Daytona International Speedway has become a magnet for racing enthusiasts and a proving ground for drivers from various disciplines.
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona is particularly noteworthy as it showcases the skills of 14 former F1 drivers, each bringing their unique experiences and backgrounds to the challenge of a grueling 24-hour race.
GTP Category
Felipe Nasr
Among the prominent names participating in this year’s race is Felipe Nasr, who has transitioned successfully from F1 to endurance racing.
Nasr, who raced for Sauber in 2015 and 2016 has since established himself as a formidable competitor in IMSA clinching multiple championships. He will be driving the No. 7 Penske Porsche 963 alongside teammates Nick Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor.
Nasr’s experience and previous victory at the Rolex 24 make him a strong contender as he aims to secure back-to-back wins at this prestigious event.
Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat
Joining Nasr in the GTP class is Romain Grosjean, another former F1 driver who has made a name for himself in sports car racing after his transition to IndyCar. He will be sharing a Lamborghini with fellow ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
Kevin Magnussen
Haas former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen is returning to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship after his full season stint with Chip Ganassi back in 2021 before making yet another return to Formula 1 upto last season.
Magnussen is one of the more experienced F1 drivers on this list, with 185 starts and 202 points to his name during a career spent with McLaren, Renault, and Haas.
For the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, he will drive the No. 24 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 alongside Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor and Raffaele Marciello.
Will Stevens and Brendon Hartley
Will Stevens and Brendon Hartley are also notable participants in the GTP class. Stevens had a brief F1 career but has since found success in endurance racing, including a podium finish at Daytona in his debut appearance which secured him another year aboard the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R.
Hartley, on the other hand, is a three-time Le Mans winner and has a lot of experience in endurance events. He will make a one-off appearance at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona as #10’s fourth driver.
Kamui Kobayashi
Kamui Kobayashi is another seasoned endurance racer with F1 roots that will be competing at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTP category as well.
Kobayashi’s experience includes not only F1 but also multiple victories at Le Mans and Daytona, making him one of the favorites heading into this year’s race. He will be driving the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R alongside Louis Delétraz, Alex Lynn, and Jordan Taylor in what promises to be an exciting lineup.
Pascal Wehrlein
Besides seasoned drivers, several others with varying degrees of F1 experience are set to compete. Pascal Wehrlein makes his Daytona debut this year after a stint in Formula E and previous races in F1 with Manor and Sauber.
The reigning Formula E champion will race in the No. 85 JDC-Miller Porsche 963 alongside experienced teammates Gianmaria Bruni, Tijmen van der Helm and Bryce Aron.
LMP2 Category
The LMP2 class also features several former F1 drivers looking to make their mark at Daytona.
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa, known for his long career with Ferrari and impressive resume of 11 Grand Prix victories, returns to Daytona for his second appearance after years spent racing in other series. He will be teaming up with Josh Burdon, Felipe Fraga, and Gar Robinson in the No. 74 Riley car.
Sebastien Bourdais
Sebastien Bourdais brings an impressive pedigree as well; having competed in F1 and now thriving in IndyCar and endurance racing.
Bourdais has previously won both overall at Daytona and class victories at Le Mans, making him a driver to watch as he partners with Sebastián Álvarez, John Farano, and Job van Uitert in the LMP2 category.
Paul di Resta
Paul di Resta is another former F1 driver who will be competing at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona aboard the #22 United Autosports Oreca 07 LMP2 alongside Daniel Goldburg.
With experience racing for Force India and having transitioned successfully into endurance racing—winning the LMP2 class at Le Mans—di Resta’s presence adds depth to the already competitive field.
Pietro Fittipaldi
Pietro Fittipaldi rounds out the list of former F1 drivers participating in this year’s Rolex 24. Although he only had limited opportunities in F1, he has made strides in endurance racing and IndyCar since then.
Fittipaldi’s experience will be valuable as he races in #22 Pratt Miller Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2 alongside Chris Cumming, Callum Ilott, and James Roe.
The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona is not just about individual talent; it showcases teamwork among drivers from diverse backgrounds coming together to achieve a common goal. The collaborative nature of endurance racing means that each driver must rely on their teammates’ strengths while also showcasing their own skills over an extended period.
As the race unfolds over its grueling duration, strategies will evolve based on track conditions, car performance, and driver stamina. The interplay between speed and endurance becomes critical as teams navigate through day and night cycles while managing tire wear and fuel consumption.
The Rolex 24 continues to attract top-tier talent across various motorsport disciplines and fans can expect thrilling battles on track as former F1 drivers take on one another while also competing against established names from other racing series such as IndyCar and NASCAR.
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