Rolex 24 at Daytona entry list as 10 former F1 stars take on legendary race | F1 | Sport

The global motorsport calendar kicks into gear this month as the Formula E campaign continues, F1 teams prepare for pre-season testing ahead of the new technical regulations, and NASCAR fans begin the countdown to the Daytona 500.

However, before Daytona hosts the opening weekend of the NASCAR Cup Series campaign, the legendary circuit will host North America’s most prestigious endurance racing event: The Rolex 24 at Daytona.

This year’s entry list boasts 10 former F1 stars, as well as a host of other notable names. Express Sport gives you the lowdown on the drivers you may know competing for IMSA’s biggest prize.

GTP class

Reigning Rolex 24 champion Felipe Nasr returns with Porsche Penske Motorsport, driving the Porsche 963 alongside Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich. The Brazilian most recently raced in F1 in 2016, driving for Sauber.

He is joined in the GTP class by Essex-born Will Stevens, who competed for Caterham and Marussia between 2014 and 2015. He partners with Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing DEX.

Former Haas man Kevin Magnussen is also present on the GTP entry list, racing for BMW M Team WRT in a four-man effort. At the same time, Cadillac Whelan’s Jack Aitken, who made one F1 start in 2020, will be joined by Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti and Trackhouse’s NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch.

LMP2 class

Sebastian Bourdais, a winner in the GTP class in 2014, will drive the No.8 Tower Motorsports entry as part of a four-man line-up that includes IndyCar prodigy Kyffin Simpson.

Former Williams driver Logan Sargeant continues his career revival with Era Motorsport, while Pietro Fittipaldi, who made two starts for Haas, standing in for Romain Grosjean, is driving for Pratt Miller Motorsports. F1 veteran Paul di Resta will race for United Autosports USA in the No.22 entry.

GTD class

While there are no F1 alumni in the GTD Pro class, former Haas man Grosjean will get behind the wheel of the Myers Riley Motorsports No.18 entry, while IndyCar stalwart and former Sauber F1 racer Marcus Ericsson will pilot Wayne Taylor Racing’s No.45 machine.

Other big names

This year’s Rolex 24 entry list is a who’s who of endurance and sports car racing icons, but it also features several drivers transitioning from rival series. Reigning IndyCar and Indy 500 champion Alex Palou will take part, as will series rivals Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Scott Dixon.

Colton Herta, who swapped IndyCar for Formula Two as he targets Cadillac’s F1 operation for 2027, will also be driving, while NASCAR prodigy Zilisch will be behind the wheel.