Paul Miller Racing’s No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO has claimed the GTD Professional class title on the 2025 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, marking the marque’s firstclass victory on the prestigious endurance occasion and its first general triumph since 2020. The four-driver lineup of Connor De Phillippi, Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Neil Verhagen crossed the end line simply 2.223 seconds forward of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO fielded by 75 Categorical, capping off a masterclass in pit technique and composed final-hour racing.
Technique Triumphs Over Tempo
The decisive second got here with lower than 90 minutes remaining, when a marathon six-hour fog-induced warning interval—the longest in race historical past—lastly ended. Mercedes driver Maro Engel appeared positioned for victory heading into the ultimate stint, having methodically superior by the sphere throughout the night time. Nevertheless, the Paul Miller crew executed a pit cease 13 seconds quicker than their Mercedes counterparts throughout the penultimate service cycle, handing Harper the benefit he wanted down the stretch.
The ultimate run to the checkered flag proved difficult for Harper, who not solely needed to handle gasoline consumption but in addition deal with a non-functional radio throughout the important closing laps. Regardless of these obstacles, the BMW driver maintained his composure and hole administration to safe the win.
The victory marks BMW’s first-ever GTD Professional class win at Daytona and its first win in any class since capturing the GTD title in 2020. For De Phillippi, it represents his second Rolex 24 triumph, including to his GTLM class victory in 2019. The pairing of De Phillippi, Hesse, and Harper additionally secured their second consecutive WeatherTech Championship victory, following their success finally 12 months’s Motul Petit Le Mans.
Paul Miller Racing itself hasn’t tasted victory on the Rolex 24 for the reason that 2020 version, when the group gained the GTD class with Lamborghini. The 2025 triumph represents a major return to type for the revered Pennsylvania-based operation.
Regardless of lacking the highest step, 75 Categorical demonstrated resilience in finishing the race with a powerful second-place end. Winward Racing claimed the ultimate podium spot in GTD Professional with the No. 48 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, pushed by Scott Noble, Jason Hart, Maxime Martin, and Luca Stolz.
BMW Additionally Scores GTP Podium
Whereas Paul Miller Racing claimed the GTD Professional headlines, BMW loved further success within the general GTP class. Staff WRT’s No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8—with Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, Robin Frijns, and Rene Rast aboard—completed third general, simply behind Porsche Penske’s dominant GTP victory and Motion Categorical Racing’s second-place Cadillac end.
The outcome underscores BMW’s aggressive standing throughout a number of classes at certainly one of worldwide motorsport’s most demanding occasions, with the M4 GT3 EVO proving a formidable platform within the palms of skilled groups and drivers. [Photos: Dan Levins / @klapped.media]
