SEBRING, Fla. — The iconic 3.7-mile circuit of Sebring International Raceway is already alive with the roar of engines as 55 IMSA WeatherTech Championship cars descended upon the Florida airfield Thursday for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the season’s second leg of the Michelin Endurance Cup. Wednesday’s unloading marked the official start of race weekend activities, while Thursday’s slate of three practice sessions—beginning at 10:05 a.m. EST—will set the stage for a grueling 12-hour endurance classic that has defined sports car racing for generations. The event carries added significance this year as it aligns with America’s 250th anniversary, prompting a wave of patriotic liveries, including Corvette Racing’s iconic red, white, and blue Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs and Penske Porsche 963s celebrating Porsche’s 30-year partnership with ExxonMobil. Amid the preparations, a late change saw Swiss driver Charles Milesi named to sub for Mathias Beche in the No. 18 TDS Racing Oreca 07, as Beche cited an ongoing battle with Long COVID as the reason for his absence from the season-opening rounds.
Sebring 12 Hours Kicks Off with 55 Cars, Endurance Cup Racing Intensifies
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is more than just a race; it’s a rite of passage in endurance sports car racing, where the brutal combination of high temperatures, abrasive concrete, and relentless competition tests the limits of both man and machine. This year’s grid features the full spectrum of IMSA competition, including GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD classes, with teams arriving after a winter of testing and strategic adjustments. The event also serves as the second round of the Michelin Endurance Cup, a four-race series that rewards consistency across endurance events, including Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta. With the trophy hunting season now in full swing, teams are under pressure to deliver peak performance from the green flag, knowing that a strong finish here can set the tone for the remainder of the championship.
Why Sebring Remains the Ultimate Endurance Challenge
Sebring’s reputation as the toughest endurance race in North America is well-earned. The track’s historic 3.7-mile layout, composed of a mix of paved and concrete sections, is notoriously punishing on tires and brakes. Drivers must navigate the high-speed esses and the tight, technical Turn 17 with precision, all while managing fuel consumption and tire wear over 12 grueling hours. The race’s unpredictable weather—from scorching midday heat to sudden rain showers—adds another layer of complexity, forcing teams to make real-time decisions on strategy. For many drivers, Sebring represents the ultimate test of skill and resilience, a sentiment echoed by Corvette Racing’s Tommy Milner, who is set to make his 20th start at the event this weekend. "I can’t think of a year when I was getting ready for Sebring and not getting excited about racing there," Milner said. "The racing’s fun, no matter what, no matter how you cut it. Sebring is just that much more exciting because of the history and how challenging that race is."
Charles Milesi Fills In for Mathias Beche as TDS Racing Adapts to Last-Minute Change
One of the most significant personnel shifts this weekend comes from TDS Racing, which announced on Tuesday that Swiss driver Charles Milesi would replace Mathias Beche in the team’s No. 18 Oreca 07 LMP2 entry. Beche’s decision to step away from the season-opener due to ongoing Long COVID symptoms caught the team off guard, forcing a rapid adaptation just days before the race. Milesi, a veteran of both LMP2 and IndyCar competition, brings a wealth of experience to the TDS lineup, having previously raced in the WeatherTech Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. His inclusion highlights the unpredictable nature of endurance racing, where even the most prepared teams can face unforeseen challenges. TDS Racing team principal Xavier Pinsonneault emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining momentum in the Michelin Endurance Cup despite the setback. "We’re disappointed for Mathias, but we’re thrilled to have Charles step in and bring his expertise to the team," Pinsonneault said. "He’s a proven performer, and we’re confident he’ll help us contend for a strong result this weekend."
Patriotic and Retro Liveries Add Star-Spangled Flair to the Weekend
Sebring’s 2025 edition is infused with patriotic pride, as several teams unveiled special liveries to honor America’s 250th anniversary. Leading the charge is Corvette Racing, which debuted patriotic red, white, and blue paint schemes on both of its Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs, a nod to the team’s deep roots in American motorsports. The liveries also feature prominent Mobil 1 branding, celebrating the 25-year partnership between the oil brand and IMSA. "This weekend is about more than just racing; it’s about celebrating the history and heritage of Sebring and the United States," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "These liveries are a tribute to the fans who have supported us for decades, and we’re honored to race under these colors."
Porsche 963 Pays Homage to ExxonMobil’s 30-Year Partnership
Porsche Penske Motorsport also joined the patriotic theme, but with a retro twist, unveiling 1996 Porsche 911 GT1-inspired designs on both of its 963 LMDh entries. The liveries pay tribute to Porsche’s 30-year history with ExxonMobil, a collaboration that has spanned multiple eras of motorsports success. The 911 GT1-inspired designs harken back to Porsche’s dominance in the late 1990s, when the iconic GT1 race car claimed victories at Le Mans and other endurance classics. "This livery is a celebration of our shared history with ExxonMobil and the legacy of the 911 GT1," said Porsche Penske Motorsport president Jonathan Diuguid. "It’s a reminder of where we’ve come from and the foundation on which we’ve built our modern success."
AO Racing Returns with Pink Porsche, Rexy the Dinosaur Makes Endurance Debut
Another team adding a splash of color to the Sebring grid is AO Racing, which returned its No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R in a vibrant pink livery to honor its partnership with the Roxy’s Dinosaurs charity. The team’s mascot, Rexy the dinosaur, will make his endurance racing debut this weekend, following the Porsche’s recovery from damage sustained in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the car’s nose was ripped off in an incident. AO Racing, the defending GTD Pro class champions, will field a lineup featuring Belgian driver Alessio Picariello, who claimed his first career WeatherTech Championship victory last year, alongside Nick Tandy and Harry King. The team’s principal, Gunnar Jeannette, even took AO’s championship-winning Porsche through the snow at Montana’s FAT Ice Race earlier this winter, a testament to the team’s commitment to preparation. "Rexy’s debut is a special moment for us and our supporters," Jeannette said. "We’re excited to bring this car back to the track and show everyone what AO Racing is all about."
IMSA Drivers Test Their Skills Across Multiple Series Before Sebring
The buildup to Sebring has been anything but ordinary for IMSA’s top drivers, many of whom have spent the offseason racing in other disciplines to hone their skills. Colin Braun, who competes in IMSA’s GTD class with Pfaff Motorsports, recently notched a top-10 finish in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at St. Pete, driving a Kaulig Racing Ram 1500 as part of Stellantis’ ‘Free Agent Driver Program.’ Braun’s sports car boss, Mike Shank, was spotted in the pit box during the race, underscoring the close ties between NASCAR and IMSA. Meanwhile, Cadillac drivers Earl Bamber and Sébastien Bourdais traded their GTP cars for Mazda MX-5 Cup machinery, with Bamber finishing eighth and fourth in a pair of 45-minute races, while Bourdais cracked the top-10 in Race 2. The versatility of these drivers highlights the growing crossover between disciplines in modern motorsports, where adaptability is key to success.
Sebring’s New Pedestrian Bridge Enhances Fan Experience Ahead of Record Crowds
Sebring International Raceway has undergone a significant infrastructure upgrade in time for this year’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours, with the unveiling of a new pedestrian bridge spanning the Ulmann Straight. The TireRack.com/Michelin Bridge provides a vital link between the paddock and parking areas, eliminating the need for the shuttle trams that previously transported fans and competitors across the track. The bridge, which features prominent branding from TireRack.com and Michelin, is a response to the growing popularity of Sebring’s marquee events, with organizers expecting record crowds this weekend. "The addition of the new TireRack.com/Michelin Bridge is a tremendous enhancement for everyone who comes to Sebring," said track president and general manager Matt Muha. "This bridge will provide fans and participants with greatly improved access to the parking areas and amenities along the Ulmann Straight, making it easier than ever to move around the facility on our busiest weekends."
Milestone Starts and Fresh Faces Highlight Sebring’s Historic Grid
Sebring’s legacy as a proving ground for legendary careers is on full display this weekend, with several drivers marking career milestones. Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia, who has made 19 consecutive starts at Sebring, will tie for second all-time in race history with his 20th appearance, one shy of former Corvette factory ace Jan Magnussen’s record. Garcia, a three-time Sebring winner, will be joined by co-driver Tommy Milner, who is making his 20th start after missing the 2022 event due to a conflict with the FIA WEC’s 1000 Miles of Sebring. Elsewhere, Lexus Racing’s Jack Hawksworth will line up for his 100th IMSA start in the RC F GT3, a milestone that underscores his decade-long relationship with the car and team. "You can link me with the start of the Vasser Sullivan program and the start of the RC F GT3 racing in America," Hawksworth said. "I feel we’re a factor pretty much at any race, on any given day that we can win as a race team."
Porsche 963 Faces Weight Penalty but Remains Optimistic
All LMDh-based cars, including Porsche’s 963, have been handed a 10 kg weight increase for Sebring, part of IMSA’s ongoing efforts to balance performance across the GTP class. Porsche’s 963, which already carries 20 kg more than its Daytona setup, faces an additional challenge, but team leadership remains unfazed. "Obviously adding weight to the car, the biggest impact there is tire life and braking performance," said Porsche Penske Motorsport president Jonathan Diuguid. "As much as I don’t like it, I probably think the changes that IMSA has made is going to bring the cars closer together in Sebring. But I don’t think it’s going to be a hinderance for us for winning the event." Diuguid also praised rookie Laurin Heinrich, who made his first laps in the 963 during a recent test at Sebring. Heinrich, the fastest Porsche Penske driver in Daytona’s post-race analysis, has quickly endeared himself to the team. "He continues to prove to be a huge talent for the team," Diuguid said.
Lamborghini Temerario GT3 Makes Debut with Measured Expectations
Lamborghini’s new Temerario GT3 made its competitive debut this weekend at Sebring, following an extensive 850 km testing program between Vallelunga and Mugello. The car, which is built on Lamborghini’s Huracán GT3 Evo2 platform, represents the Italian marque’s latest foray into GT3 competition, but interim motorsports director Rouven Mohr cautioned against expecting immediate success. "Never say never in motorsports; anything can happen," Mohr said. "But to be realistic, it’s not a fair target. If you look how the professionalism of the GT3, including how sophisticated today the BoP management is, it’s not comparable. To have this kind of big surprise, I think today it’s even tougher to get it." Mohr’s comments reflect the high bar set by modern GT3 competition, where BoP (Balance of Performance) regulations and professional teams leave little room for rookie upsets.
Key Takeaways: What to Watch at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
- Charles Milesi steps in for Mathias Beche in TDS Racing’s No. 18 Oreca 07 after Beche’s Long COVID withdrawal, adding a late twist to the LMP2 grid.
- Corvette Racing and Porsche Penske Motorsport debut patriotic and retro liveries, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Porsche’s 30-year ExxonMobil partnership.
- AO Racing returns with a pink Porsche 911 GT3 R for Rexy the dinosaur’s endurance debut, while defending GTD Pro champions aim to repeat their 2024 success.
- IMSA’s weight adjustments for GTP cars, including Porsche’s 10 kg penalty, could level the playing field but won’t deter top teams from chasing victory.
- Sebring’s new pedestrian bridge and record crowds highlight the track’s growing prominence, with infrastructure upgrades ensuring a smoother fan experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who replaced Mathias Beche at TDS Racing in the No. 18 Oreca 07?
- Swiss driver Charles Milesi has been named to sub for Mathias Beche, who withdrew due to ongoing Long COVID symptoms just days before the race.
- What special liveries will be on display at Sebring?
- Corvette Racing’s Z06 GT3.Rs sport patriotic red, white, and blue designs, while Porsche Penske’s 963s feature 1996 911 GT1-inspired liveries honoring ExxonMobil’s 30-year partnership.
- How has IMSA adjusted the GTP class for Sebring?
- All LMDh-based cars, including Porsche’s 963, have received a 10 kg weight increase, part of IMSA’s Balance of Performance adjustments to level the playing field.
