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Nico Muller to Make Sportscar Debut with Porsche at Sebring

Newly signed Porsche factory driver Nico Muller is set to make his sportscar debut for the prestigious brand during this weekend’s Sebring 12 Hours, a key event in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Muller, who has been appointed to the Andretti Formula E team for the upcoming 2024/25 season, will race in the customer 963 LMDh vehicle operated by JDC-Miller MotorSports alongside full-time drivers Gianmaria Bruni and Tijmen van der Helm. This opportunity marks a significant step in Muller’s career as he transitions from his previous role with Peugeot.

With the Sebring race being the second round of the 2025 IMSA season, Muller’s participation positions him as a possible candidate for a coveted seat alongside Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr in the additional Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 for the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours World Endurance Championship.

At 33, Muller joins JDC-Miller following fellow factory driver Pascal Wehrlein’s participation in the Daytona 24 Hours at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Notably, Porsche has reduced its LMDh lineup for 2025 from ten to eight drivers, leading to the available position that Muller is now eyeing.

Having moved to Porsche at the close of the previous year from its WEC program with Peugeot, Muller described his impending appearance at Sebring as a “last-minute project.” He expressed enthusiasm about taking his first laps in the Porsche 963 and competing in what is often regarded as one of the most challenging races on the IMSA calendar.

“I loved following the IMSA action during the 12 Hours – it’s known as the toughest race on the IMSA calendar,” Muller stated. He conveyed optimism about familiarizing himself with Porsche’s LMDh model quickly, citing the support from JDC-Miller, Bruni, and van der Helm as instrumental in his adjustment process. “That strong foundation will speed up my 963 learning process,” he noted.

His only prior experience in the IMSA series came during the 2022 Daytona 24 Hours, where he raced with High Class Racing in the LMP2 category. JDC-Miller team principal John Church expressed confidence in Muller’s addition to their driver lineup, highlighting the momentum generated from their sixth-place finish at Daytona. “Adding Nico to our already strong driver line-up with Tijmen and Gimmi builds on the confidence we have,” Church commented, acknowledging the collaborative efforts with Porsche that enabled Muller’s involvement.

Conclusion

Nico Muller’s transition to Porsche marks an exciting chapter in his racing career. With the Sebring 12 Hours approaching, motorsport enthusiasts will undoubtedly be keen to see how the Swiss driver fares in this demanding event and how it may shape his future within the Porsche team as they prepare for the prestigious endurance races ahead.

Source
www.autosport.com