A 12 Hours long race was decided on the last lap giving a victory to the number 40 Andretti-Acura driven by Louis Deletraz
The Florida sun beat down mercilessly on Sebring International Raceway, its unforgiving asphalt a crucible for the annual 12 Hours of Sebring. This 72nd edition of the iconic endurance race won by the Acura crew lived up to its reputation for being a heart-stopping drama, filled with strategic battles, mechanical anxieties, and ultimately, a breathtaking display of driving prowess by Louis Deletraz. Andretti Acura are the winners of the 12 hours of Sebring.
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) serves as the pinnacle of sports car racing in North America. Established in 1969, the series encompasses a diverse range of prototypes and production-based cars, categorized by their engine displacement, chassis construction, and aerodynamic modifications. The 12 Hours of Sebring holds a prestigious position within the IMSA calendar, demanding not just raw speed but also strategic brilliance, pit crew efficiency, and unwavering driver endurance. Acura delivered in all of those aspects.
Competition is as fierce as ever in this year’s IMSA, Acura sets themselves as candidates for everything
The 2024 Sebring grid boasted a formidable line-up, with established teams and rising stars vying for glory. The top step of the podium was occupied by Jordan Taylor, Louis Deletraz and Andretti Indycar driver Colton Herta
The opening act saw the front runners jostling for position, each team meticulously executing their pre-race strategies. Maxime Martin, piloting the sleek No. 25 BMW, initially seized the lead after the restart following the eighth hour. However, his reign was short-lived as both Matheiu Jaminet (No. 10 Porsche 963) and Ricky Taylor (No. 10 Acura) mounted challenges. Taylor, displaying his trademark aggressive driving, overtook Jaminet and then set his sights on Martin.
A close battle ensued between Martin and Taylor, with the Acura driver relentlessly chipping away at the BMW’s lead. Unfortunately for Martin, traffic congestion hampered his progress, and he eventually collided with Matteo Cressoni (No. 60 Iron Lynx Lamborghini). Cressoni managed to continue, but the incident eroded Martin’s advantage further.
Adding to the drama, smoke began emanating from the rear of Taylor’s Acura. Despite this, his determination remained unwavering. Capitalizing on Martin’s woes, Taylor attempted a daring overtake near the conclusion of the ninth hour. This period witnessed a flurry of pit stops by the leading contenders, with Taylor managing to slip past Brendon Hartley (No. 10 Acura) for the lead. Meanwhile, Martin surrendered third place to Nick Yelloly (No. 2 Meyer Shank Racing Acura with Curb-Agajanian).
The race had a good amount of chaos and car collisions
The ninth hour witnessed another significant disruption when Fred Makowiecki (No. 6 Penske Porsche), running a strong fourth in both GTP and overall, collided with Katherine Legge (No. 66 Acura NSX GT3) entering Turn 17. The contact sent Legge spinning before she made contact with the tire barrier. Thankfully, Legge emerged unscathed, although the incident necessitated a yellow flag period and forced Makowiecki to pit for repairs.
Another accident involved Pipo Derani, a five-time overall winner at Sebring, the driver was leading the classic 12-hour race in the No. 31 Cadillac Action Express when he attempted to lap Miguel Molina’s No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari in Turns 9 and 10.
In a shocking turn of events, Derani collided with the left front of the Ferrari and went off the track directly into a row of protective tires.
The yellow flag remained active until the conclusion of the ninth hour, prompting some teams to pit. Attention shifted to Hartley‘s No. 10 Acura due to the persistent smoke emanating from the rear. Opting to stay out on track, Makowiecki inherited the lead as the other front runners cycled through pit stops. However, his reign as the leader was short-lived. Shortly after restarting, a dramatic explosion occurred as Makowiecki‘s right rear tire disintegrated. This unfortunate incident propelled his teammate, Matt Campbell (No. 7 Penske Porsche), into the lead, with Renger van der Zande (No. 5 Cadillac) closing the gap in third.
All the categories had their inside battles
While the GTP category captured most of the spotlight, captivating battles unfolded across IMSA’s diverse classes. Endurance racing has the charm of having three races happening at the same time and always has something for the audience to look at. In the LMP2 category, Nico Pino (No. 11 ORECA 07 Gibson) held a narrow lead over the young gun Hunter McElrea (No. 8 Tower Motorsport ORECA 07 Gibson). Meanwhile, Ben Barnicoat (No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3) enjoyed a comfortable cushion in the LMP3 category, showcasing the potent performance of the Lexus entries. The GTD class, featuring production-based cars with extensive modifications, saw Indy Dontje (No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3) leading the pack with a healthy advantage.
The race entered a frenetic phase as the pit crews performed their magic, shuffling the order with each cycle. Colton Herta, the young American star piloting the No. 26 Acura, mounted a relentless pursuit of Nick Yelloly (No. 2 Meyer Shank Racing Acura) for third place in the GTP category. His tenacity paid off, as Herta successfully overtook Yelloly soon after Campbell’s pit stop.
While Campbell held the lead, it was short-lived. Van der Zande, displaying his experience and racecraft, briefly snatched the lead after a pit stop. However, strategic decisions dictated his next move, relinquishing the lead on the following lap to allow Sébastien Bourdais to take the wheel of the No. 5 Cadillac.
Herta, demonstrating his immense talent, navigated the traffic expertly to overtake Yelloly, establishing a two-second lead. In LMP2, Pino’s pit stop relinquished the lead to McElrea. The young American driver capitalized on the opportunity, showcasing his potential as a future star in the endurance racing world.
The final two hours were a race in itself
The final stretch of the race transformed Sebring into a crucible of pressure and drama. Herta extended his lead over Yelloly, who was now battling his BMW teammate Augusto Farfus for third in the GTP category. However, Herta‘s reign ended as he entered the pits, allowing Louis Deletraz to take the wheel of the No. 40 Acura.
The battle for the lead intensified in the LMP2 category as McElrea caught Pino in traffic. Toby Sowery (No. 18 Era Motorsport ORECA 07 Gibson) skillfully capitalized on this opportunity, overtaking Pino and securing second place after McElrea encountered difficulties. Meanwhile, in LMP3, Barnicoat relinquished his seat to Jack Hawksworth (No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3), who maintained the lead with a comfortable margin.
Bourdais vs. Deletraz had everyone at the edge of their seats for the final laps
With two hours remaining, Bourdais, the experienced motorsports driver, emerged from the pits as the overall leader. However, the Swiss driver Louis Deletraz, piloting the No. 40 Acura, refused to back down. Deletraz relentlessly pressured Bourdais, showcasing his composure and driving finesse. As the clock ticked down, the gap between them narrowed to a nail-biting six-tenths of a second with a quarter of an hour remaining.
The GTD Pro category also witnessed a thrilling battle. Hawksworth, driving the No. 14 Lexus, overtook Juncadella (No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE Evo) for the lead. However, a close encounter with Daniel Serra (No. 63 WeatherTech Racing Ferrari 488 GTE Evo) sent Serra tumbling down the order, promoting Juncadella to second.
In a dramatic turn of events, Braun (No. 18 Era Motorsport ORECA 07 Gibson), who was running a strong second in LMP2, collided with Felipe Fraga (No. 8 Tower Motorsport ORECA 07 Gibson). This incident handed the lead to Mikkel Jensen (No. 11 ORECA 07 Gibson), showcasing the unforgiving nature of endurance racing where any mistake can have drastic consequences.
Back in the GTP category, Deletraz continued to stalk Bourdais, displaying superior braking prowess. The young driver demonstrated his ability to read the race and capitalize on opportunities. As they approached traffic, Deletraz saw his chance. With a daring overtake at Turn 10 and only eight minutes remaining in the race, Deletraz snatched the lead from Bourdais. The Cadillac driver attempted to counterattack, but heavy traffic impeded his progress. Deletraz, with nerves of steel, navigated the remaining laps flawlessly, building a crucial gap between himself and Bourdais. Despite Bourdais’s late fightback, Deletraz held his nerve and crossed the finish line first, securing a dramatic victory for Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Acura.
Andretti and Acura shared the victory
The conclusion of the 12 Hours of Sebring was a whirlwind of emotions. The jubilant celebrations of the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Acura team contrasted with the disappointment etched on the faces of the Action Express Racing Cadillac crew. Deletraz, the unlikely hero, was showered with champagne as his teammates and engineers erupted in joy. The young driver, known for his talent and maturity, had just etched his name into the history books of the prestigious Sebring race.
Teamwork made the dream work
While the spotlight shone brightest on the overall victors, numerous other teams and drivers displayed remarkable grit and determination throughout the grueling race.
Era Motorsport’s LMP2 Triumph: Despite the late-race collision involving Braun, Era Motorsport secured a podium finish with Toby Sowery, Dwight Merrill, and Kyle Tilley at the wheel of the No. 18 ORECA 07 Gibson. This result solidified their reputation as a team adept at nurturing young talent and delivering competitive performances.
Vasser Sullivan’s GTD Pro Glory: In the GTD Pro category, Vasser Sullivan emerged victorious with the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 driven by Jack Hawksworth, Ben Barnicoat, and Kyle Kirkwood. This victory marked a significant redemption for the team after a disappointing season opener at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Indy Dontje‘s delivered a Dominant GTD Drive: Indy Dontje, piloting the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, dominated the GTD category throughout the race. His flawless performance and the team’s strategic brilliance yielded a well-deserved victory, showcasing the capabilities of the Mercedes platform.
The 2024 12 Hours of Sebring provided another captivating chapter in the race’s storied history. It showcased the fierce competition within IMSA, the unwavering dedication of the teams and drivers, and the unpredictable nature of endurance racing. Deletraz’s last-lap heroics will be recounted for years to come, while other teams and drivers will analyze their performances and strategize for future battles. As the sun sets on Sebring, the IMSA calendar marches on, but the memories of this dramatic race will undoubtedly linger long after the checkered flag has fallen. The reverberations of the 12 Hours of Sebring extended far beyond the confines of the racetrack. Here’s a glimpse into the lasting impact of the race:
Louis Deletraz surprised everyone
Deletraz‘s stunning victory propelled him into the spotlight. Hailing from Switzerland, the young driver had already established himself as a rising talent, but his Sebring heroics elevated his status. Media outlets lauded his composure under pressure, his daring overtaking maneuver, and his ability to manage the car impeccably in the closing stages.
This victory undoubtedly opened doors for Deletraz. Interest from other teams in the IMSA paddock was sure to rise, potentially leading to lucrative contract offers and opportunities to compete in prestigious races worldwide. Additionally, his performance likely caught the attention of Formula One teams, potentially paving the way for a future test drive or even a potential future seat in the pinnacle of motorsport. Mercedes are still waiting to announce their new driver lineup for 2025.
For Acura, the 2024 Sebring win marked a watershed moment. Despite a strong presence in the IMSA paddock, the manufacturer had never secured an overall victory in the grueling endurance race. This triumph served as a testament to the relentless efforts of Acura’s engineers and the meticulous preparation undertaken by Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti.
The 2024 12 Hours of Sebring wasn’t just a race. It was a crucible of competition, a platform for individual brilliance, and a testament to the spirit of endurance racing. As the IMSA season progressed, the lessons learned, rivalries ignited, and legacies forged at Sebring would undoubtedly shape the course of the championship and propel the sport forward.
Guillermo Lorenzo Manzano