9 Reasons It's Anyone's Race at IMSA Mobil 1 Twelve Hours at Sebring

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Porsche Penske Motorsport has established itself as the team to beat in the second season of the hybrid prototype GTP era after convincing endurance victories at Daytona in IMSA’s WeatherTech Championship opener and at Qatar in the WEC opener.

Sebring’s gritty conditions and a 12-hour race that ends at night, however, comprise endurance racing’s most unpredictable challenge.

Should it come to pass, a victory in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring would be a major Penske milestone—the 100th in sports car racing for the team.

The 100th win is one of several milestones on the line for Porsche at Sebring.

Porsche is seeking its 600th class win since 1952 at Sebring, as well as what would be a record-extending 19th overall victory at Sebring—America’s oldest endurance race.

Team Penske's two cars aren't the only Porsches out to capture win No. 600 for the manufacturer this week. There is also one Porsche in GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) and three in GT Daytona (GTD).

Here are nine reasons why Penske’s Porsche 963 entries will face their stiffest endurance test thus far in 2024.

1. Sebring Is a gigantic Wild Card

The high speeds over the 3.74 miles of bumpy concrete and undulating asphalt generate all manner of unpredictable problems. Even if the car stays together, the drivers face a lot of variables.

“This track is tough on the drivers,” said Jonathan Diuguid, the managing director at Team Penske. “Nobody ever gets out of the car and says, ‘That’s the best car I’ve ever driven at Sebring.’ It’s really all about compromises.”

2. Porsche Penske Entries Are Not Bullet Proof

In each of its two victories this year, one of the team’s 963s suffered a technical problem that took it out of contention.

“Unfortunately, our car didn’t have such a spectacular start to the season (at Daytona) as the sister car did,” said Mathieu Jaminet, co-driver of the No. 6 Penske entry. “We weren’t able to finish on the podium and score as many points so we still have a score to settle. Hopefully, everything runs smoothly in Sebring.”

3. The Race Really Begins at Sunset

The Penske team got into the lead during the night last year with better pit strategy only to have both cars end up in a late race three-car crash.

“Despite a lack of pace, we were suddenly on course for victory shortly before the checkered flag, only to lose it all,” said Urs Kuratle, the factory director of Porsche’s sports prototype program. “The pendulum can swing so quickly in either direction. We’re acutely aware of that.”