Dries Vanthoor secured BMW Team RLL's first GTP pole position for the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona in the No. 25 M Hybrid V8, marking a significant milestone for the German manufacturer's racing program.

Vanthoor will share driving duties with Philipp Eng, Raffaele Marciello, and former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen. Despite challenging cold conditions and a red flag caused by the sister BMW, Vanthoor managed to secure the top spot for Saturday's race start.

However, historical data suggests pole position provides little advantage in the 24-hour endurance race. Since 2017, only one pole-sitter has won at Daytona - the Meyer Shank Racing Acura in 2023.

BMW's motorsport chief Andreas Roos acknowledges this reality but sees the pole position as evidence of the program's progress. The M Hybrid V8 program has secured only two wins since its 2023 debut, but several key changes mark a new chapter:

• Reduced driver pool to eight, with two drivers competing in both IMSA and WEC
• Implementation of first official 'Joker' update, focusing on brake system improvements
• Enhanced understanding of car drivability and setup optimization

The updates prioritize consistency and reliability over pure performance, aligning with the Balance of Performance (BoP) formula. BMW's partnership with Team RLL continues, with both entities focused on achieving consistent front-running results after a challenging 2024 season highlighted by their Indianapolis 1-2 finish.

These developments represent a significant step forward from their 2023 Daytona debut, where both cars qualified outside the top six. The team now aims to convert their improved form into sustained success throughout the 2025 season.

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