Magnussen: “Endurance racing is a lot more than a Pole Position”

BMW M Team RLL got a great start to 2025 and the racing weekend at Daytona International Speedway, ahead of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, by claiming Pole Position with car #24.

Head of BMW Motorsport, Andreas Roos and the new driver in the team, Kevin Magnussen, met the media in Daytona, to talk a bit more about what has gone on so far, and about the rest of the week and year.

First of all, Andreas – it’s been a great start to the Rolex 24 at Daytona 2025 race week so far, with both GTP cars being strong so far.

“Clearly, when you had a good sanction test and also a good ROAR, it always helps going into the race week. But on the other hand, we know that testing is testing, and racing is racing. So we know that we need to get everything together in the race. We felt strong – we had a good run through all the sessions, and for sure the Pole Position from Dries Vanthoor was amazing. It actually was the first Pole Position with our Hypercar, so we are super pleased with that, and hopefully we can build up on this. But on the other hand, we know that the 24 hours race is a long race – a lot of things can happen. We have to survive – to finish first, first you have to finish – that is clearly our goal. To have a clean race, and be sharp when it’s time to go for the victory.”

What was the issue for the 25 car in qualifying?

“It was an issue on the high voltage system, which we changed, so the cars are back in a good shape. It’s not something that you want to have in qualifying, that the car stops on track.”

Andreas Roos
Photo: Gruppe C Photo

Part of the Pole winning crew is Kevin Magnussen. It was a good comeback for him in sportscar racing, and the Daytona 24 Hours, which he has competed in twice before.

“Endurance racing is a lot more than a Pole Position, of course, but it’s an achievement that BMW is very happy to achieve. Pole Position at Daytona for the 24 is something to be proud of, and it’s a good sign for the race – it means that the car is quick. But we need to stay clean, and we need to run the car clean – stay in the race until the end of the race. Endurance racing is about a lot more than being fast, so at least we got that one ticked off, and hopefully we can have a strong and clean race.”

Magnussen has been known for his at times quite feisty driving style in Formula 1, but coming back to endurance racing, there is a lot more finesse needed.

“I think it’s very different compared to the racing that I came from. Only the 10 first cars gets points, so if you are around P11, P10, you need to get your elbows out, because the risk vs reward is very high, because if you are P11 you get zero points. In here, it’s a long race, so you need to keep it clean. Of course, if you are fighting for the win, you go for it, that’s clear. But it is a very different situation. With BMW I’m gonna be a lot more competitive, towards the front of the field, than I’ve been in Formula 1. It’s a very different risk vs reward situation. So I’m looking forward to do some great racing. I’ve been in IMSA before, and I know that the racing is great. Sometimes in this Daytona 24, it’s the first race for all the drivers, and you are excited to get on the track, so it’s a bit like letting the cows on grass at the beginning of the year – sometimes they get a bit excited, even though it’s 24 hours, then on the first lap, you think it’s on! So you think you got to stay clean.”

Kevin Magnussen & Dries Vanthoor
Photo: BMW Motorsport

After doing Formula 1 for so many years, split up with a year in sportscars in 2021, there must some quite a transition into the sportscar world, and how the car feels.

“Yeah it’s a bit challenge, because one of the biggest races is the first one, and I come straight off a Formula 1 season, that finishes very late in the year, so I haven’t had that much preparation. I’ve had a test in Qatar with the WEC car, but basically the same, a simulator day, and then communicating with all – trying to memorize everything, and get into the wording of all the different systems. It’s a lot of studying, so I’m trying to remember it all. The more laps you get, the more second nature it becomes. So I think it’s a pretty big step, going straight into the Daytona 24, but it’s also a very exciting challenge, and it’s something that I’m very proud of. And Dries put it on pole, so I couldn’t be happier.”

If you get to choose between the title or a Le Mans win – which one would you take?

“Personally – Le Mans is a dream, I think, for every racing driver. It’s part of that unofficial triple crown (Le Mans, Monaco F1, and Indianapolis 500) that you can win as a racing driver. It is absolutely one of the biggest things that you can win in motorsport. That is very important. But the whole season is very much focused on WEC – that’s were you spend most of the time, at least in my programme, and that’s gonna be very fulfilling to achieve. Of course a win is always what we dream of, but if you look at the trajectory of BMW over last year, it’s a good trajectory, and we need to keep it going. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s our target.”

The 63rd running of the Daytona 24 Hours will happen tomorrow Saturday 25th January 2025, with the race starting at 19.40 CET. The race can be followed via IMSA.tv (geo-blocking in certain areas might apply).

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