BMW's pole position at Daytona signals a significant step forward in their GTP program, with Dries Vanthoor securing the team's first-ever pole in the No. 25 M Hybrid V8, alongside teammates Philipp Eng, Raffaele Marciello, and Kevin Magnussen.

While pole position historically hasn't guaranteed success in the 24-hour race (only one pole-sitter has won since 2017), BMW's motorsport chief Andreas Roos sees it as a crucial milestone for the program's development.

The M Hybrid V8 program has secured just two wins since its 2023 debut, but several key changes mark this new chapter:

• Driver roster optimization with eight drivers across IMSA and WEC
• Implementation of their first 'Joker' update, focusing on brake system improvements
• Enhanced understanding of car drivability and setup
• Continued partnership with Team RLL as factory service provider

Roos emphasizes that recent developments focus on refinement rather than outright performance, given the Balance of Performance (BoP) formula. The team's priority is extracting maximum potential from their existing package and achieving consistent front-running performance.

The improvements stem from two years of data gathering, software development, and fine-tuning. After a challenging 2024 season, BMW aims to translate this pole position into regular competitive performances throughout 2025.

Vanthoor's qualifying performance in cold conditions demonstrates the progress made in tire warming - a previous weakness for the team. However, the true test will come during the 24-hour race, where consistent performance and reliability are paramount.

"We work on this as a team and we are here to win races," says Roos, emphasizing the unified approach between BMW and Team RLL as they seek to establish themselves as consistent frontrunners in the GTP category.

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