Proton Competition is ready for one of the greatest challenges of the season

Ummendorf – The countdown is on: Following the Roar Before the Rolex 24, Proton Competition will start the 2025 motorsport year at the legendary 24-hour classic on the Daytona International Speedway on 25/26 January. The team from Ummenbach, Germany, will enter its Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 in the tradition-steeped opening race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship against a field of strong competition from the major works teams in the top GTP class.

Christian and Michael Ried’s team will also contest the GTD Pro class at the Rolex 24 with their Porsche 911 GT3 (#20). The Porsche 911 GT3 (#83) in the GTD class will be fielded for Team Iron Dames. In total, 45 teams with 61 cars and 236 drivers will face one of motorsport’s greatest challenges at Daytona.

In the battle for overall victory with the Porsche 963, Proton Competition is relying on the experience of 2016 Le Mans overall winner Neel Jani and Porsche works driver Julien Andlauer in the 63rd edition of the classic in the Sunshine State. The two are accompanied by teammates Nico Pino and Tristan Vaultier. Last year, the #5 Porsche 963’s maiden race at Daytona saw Proton Competition put in a strong fifth-place performance as the best-placed GTP customer team.

In the GTD Pro class at Daytona, one of the best GT drivers in the world and an old acquaintance return to the team: Richard Lietz, who has celebrated a multitude of great successes with Proton Competition, is set to share the Porsche 911 GT3 with Claudio Schiavone, Matteo Cressoni and his Porsche works driver colleague Thomas Preining. In the GTD class, Proton Competition will enter a Porsche 911 GT3 for the renowned Iron Dames team consisting of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Karen Gaillard.

Over the seven sessions of the Roar Before The Rolex 24, Proton Competition topped the time sheet twice with their Porsche 963 and twice with their #83 Porsche 911 GT3. In one session, their #20 Porsche 911 GT3 was the fastest GTD Pro car on the field.

Proton Competition’s major successes at Daytona were recent accolades: the team celebrated two class victories in 2023 – with its Oreca-07 Gibson in LMP2 and the Mercedes AMG GT3 entered for WeatherTech Racing in GTD Pro.

The Proton teams at the Rolex 24
GTP: Neel Jani (SUI), Julien Andlauer (FRA), Nico Pino (CHI), Tristan Vaultier (FRA), Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 (#5).
GTD Pro: Claudio Schiavone (SUI), Matteo Cressoni (ITA), Richard Lietz (AUT), Thomas Preining (AUT), Porsche 911 GT3 (#20).
GTD: Sarah Bovy (BEL), Rahel Frey (SUI), Michelle Gatting (DEN), Karen Gaillard (FRA), Porsche 911 GT3 (#83) for Iron Dames.

Comments before the race
Michael Ried, Team Principal and CTO Proton Competition: “Daytona is one-of-a-kind. The fascination for this race was already palpable last weekend at the Roar Before The Rolex 24. This official test before the first highlight of the 2025 motorsport year was also a good opportunity for us to set the course for a successful start to the season, especially concerning the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.”

Christian Ried, Team Principal Proton Competition: “The race in Daytona is one of the biggest challenges in motorsport. It brings the strongest teams and drivers from all sorts of racing series to Florida and thrills motorsport fans around the globe. The Rolex 24 is also the opening race of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. This attractive endurance classification comprising five American sports car classics has our full focus this season.”

Neel Jani (Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 #5): “It’s always nice to start a new season at Daytona. The Rolex 24 is the only endurance race with Prototypes that I haven’t won yet. So my goal is clear. As a customer team, we’re typically an underdog. But with our strong debut last year, we showed that there isn’t much between us and the works teams. Anything can happen at Daytona; there’s always a surprise around the corner.”

Julien Andlauer (Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 #5): “It’s fantastic to return to the Proton Competition team for this one race. Daytona is a great place to start the new season. I’ve never driven this fascinating event in a hypercar before, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Nico Pino (Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 #5): “Daytona is a very special race. For me, it’s a highlight of my career. My maiden start in the hypercar class is another big step in my motorsport journey. The combination of such a challenging race and the opportunity to compete at this high level against the best drivers makes Daytona an incredible experience for me.”

Tristan Vaultier (Mustang Sampling Porsche 963 #5): “I’m looking forward to returning to the top class of IMSA at Daytona. This championship has always held a special place in my heart. I see it as a great privilege to compete in the biggest race of the season with such a strong team. Thanks to Proton Competition for this great opportunity.”

Richard Lietz (Porsche 911 GT3 #20): “Daytona is an adventure. Fighting for victory for 24 hours on this legendary circuit with its banked corners is a unique challenge. At Daytona, everyone on the grid has a shot at victory. I look forward to seeing familiar faces at Proton Competition and working alongside people I get along with. The recipe for success at Daytona has been unchanged for years; stay out of any scuffles for the first 20 hours and be there when it comes down to the wire.”

Thomas Preining (Porsche 911 GT3 #20): “At the Roar, we took some important steps in the right direction following a somewhat bumpy start. Now, I’m looking forward to the next race. We still need to iron out a few details. We’ll use the days leading up to the race to do that.”

Matteo Cressoni (Porsche 911 GT3 #20): “Daytona is the first big race of the year, making it particularly exciting. Our class is very strong. Nevertheless, we fancy our chances at a top result.”

Sarah Bovy (Porsche 911 GT3 #83): “I look forward to starting 2025 with such a legendary race. Meeting with the American fans is always a great boost after the winter break and I can’t wait to be back there with the girls.”

Rahel Frey (Porsche 911 GT3 #83): “Daytona is one of my favourite races. Having such a prestigious endurance race as the first race of the year is a great challenge for the team and the basis for a successful year ahead.”

Michelle Gatting (Porsche 911 GT3 #83): “I’m super excited to start off the season in Daytona. The passionate American fans always guarantee an electric atmosphere. Racing our pink Porsche around this legendary track will no doubt be an incredible experience.”

Karen Gaillard (Porsche 911 GT3 #83): “I’m thrilled with this amazing opportunity to race in Daytona for Iron Dames. There will be a lot for me to learn but I can’t wait to utilise the valuable experience of my teammates.”

The race track
The heart of US motorsport beats in Daytona. The 24-hour race on the 5.729-kilometre Daytona International Speedway with its two high-speed banked turns and a winding infield is home to competition from successful teams and drivers from various global racing series every year.

The schedule
The race commences on Saturday, 25 January, at 13:40 local time (19:40 CET). It can be viewed outside the USA as a live stream on www.imsa.com.