In the initial segment of the 2026 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, Porsche vehicles have asserted their dominance, navigating through intense traffic in the GTD and GTD Pro classes. The No. 7 Porsche Penske 963 successfully overtook the No. 85 JDC-Miller Motorsports Porsche 963, signaling a strong start for the factory team. This early lead underscores Porsche's competitive edge and strategic prowess in one of endurance racing's most demanding events, setting a high bar for the rest of the field as the race unfolds.
As the first six hours of the iconic endurance race concluded on Saturday evening, the top positions in the GTP category saw a shuffle of contenders. Laurin Heinrich, in his debut as a Porsche factory driver, masterfully piloted the No. 7 Porsche Penske 963, showcasing superior speed and consistency. His performance allowed the No. 7 car to reclaim the lead, demonstrating the team's potent capabilities. The JDC-Miller Motorsports' No. 85 Porsche 963, despite an impressive early run where it led for a significant portion, eventually ceded its position. This privateer entry, driven by Tijmen van der Helm, maintained a fierce battle against the No. 7 Porsche and the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 before making a necessary pit stop for energy, temporarily falling back.
Following closely, the BMW contingent made its presence felt with the No. 25 M Hybrid V8 securing third place, ahead of its sister car, the No. 24, which had recovered well despite sustaining minor damage in an opening lap incident. Cadillac entries also vied for top spots, with the No. 10 WTR Cadillac V-Series.R and the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac, piloted by the debuting Connor Zilisch, holding sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Zilisch's double stint mirrored the endurance efforts of other leading drivers, highlighting the gruelling nature of the event.
The race's early stages were not without drama. The No. 31 Cadillac, which had secured pole position with Earl Bamber at the helm, faced a setback due to a penalty, forcing it to start at the rear of the GTP class. Despite this, Bamber managed to bring the car to the front, briefly leading around the three-hour mark. Another significant incident involved the No. 6 Porsche 963, a sister car to the leading No. 7. After initially taking the lead, the No. 6, driven by Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell, suffered irreparable floor damage following a collision with an LMP2 car. This damage severely hampered its performance, relegating it to eighth place by the six-hour mark.
Further challenges plagued other teams, including the No. 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Valkyrie, which encountered electrical issues leading to multiple power losses and a subsequent repair stop. In the LMP2 category, AO Racing's No. 99 Oreca, with PJ Hyatt at the wheel, built a commanding lead of over 30 seconds, showcasing exceptional performance in its class. The dynamic shifts in leadership, coupled with unexpected mechanical failures and strategic pit stops, have made for an exhilarating start to the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, promising an intensely competitive race to the finish line.