Porsche Penske Motorsport begins its 2025 GTP title defense this weekend at the Roar Before the 24, armed with a revamped strategy and a crucial suspension upgrade for its 963 prototype. As the IMSA season gets underway, the German manufacturer is aiming to maintain its dominance while fending off intensified competition in the GTP class.
A new approach for the 963
Porsche Penske Motorsport has introduced a “Joker” evolution update to the 963, focusing on its suspension architecture to improve mechanical grip and widen the car’s operating window. This update is designed to enhance the car’s performance across varying track conditions, particularly during grueling endurance events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“Our goal is to have a car that performs well across all the track conditions and temperatures it gets exposed to during a 24-hour race specifically,” said Jonathan Diuguid, Porsche Penske Motorsport managing director. “We feel these tools will help us do that and activate the tires.”
The 963’s suspension update targets specific areas for improvement:
- Mechanical grip: Enhancing low-speed corner performance.
- Balance consistency: Addressing the shift between high-speed and low-speed balance.
- Adaptability: Increasing performance on both bumpy and smooth circuits.
The team is also optimizing the car’s interaction with Michelin’s dual-compound tire options—soft and medium—available for the Rolex 24.
A measured evolution
Unlike its aero package, which remains largely unchanged, the 963’s mechanical updates aim to provide a competitive edge over the long season. These changes are particularly important as Porsche faces fierce competition in the GTP class from Cadillac, Acura, and BMW.
Cadillac has also brought its own “Joker” update for the V-Series.R, focusing on electronics, signaling a growing arms race in GTP development. Acura, however, has yet to announce significant upgrades for its ARX-06, adding intrigue to the upcoming battles on the track.
The GTP field: Small changes, big stakes
While the cars may appear visually similar to last season, the GTP class is undergoing a steady evolution. Each team is leveraging incremental advancements to improve performance and reliability, with Porsche’s updates positioning it to remain a key contender.
“The developmental race in GTP is heating up,” noted Diuguid. “These updates are targeted at providing performance gains on a broad range of tracks, especially over endurance races like Daytona.”
Eyes on Daytona
As the Roar Before the 24 unfolds, all eyes will be on how well Porsche Penske Motorsport’s updates translate on track. With customer teams JDC-Miller and Proton Competition also benefiting from these improvements, Porsche is doubling down on its efforts to secure another championship-winning season.
The stage is set for an intense season opener at Daytona, where teams will reveal just how far their off-season developments have taken them.