THE ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA

Vesti lined up this weekend for the season opener of the IMSA championship — the iconic Rolex 24 at Daytona. It marked Vesti’s second attempt at the circuit, where last year he made quite a debut as one of the fastest drivers on the grid, but also suffered a heavy crash into the wall at 280 km/h.

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Last year, it wasn’t just my first race at Daytona. It was my first IMSA race ever. A real baptism of fire. Everything was new and untested. The constant yellows and endless restarts behind the safety car take some getting used to. This time, I was so ready for the task. With a full year of experience and two wins to close out the 2025 season and most recently at Road Atlanta I came in with a completely different mindset. This weekend, I drove some of the most exciting racing I’ve ever done in the U.S. At times, almost with my eyes closed. But that’s what it takes if you want to cross the line that separates winning from losing.

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Vesti’s pace was exceptional. On an individual level, he finished as the third-fastest driver overall in the race and was the fastest Cadillac driver for the third race in a row.

Vesti’s team, Whelen Cadillac, was up against fierce competition particularly from Porsche, who ultimately had a slight edge when it mattered most. But considering a race filled with adversity, including two penalties and a technical issue that cost the team a lap, the result must be considered fully satisfactory for all four Whelen Cadillac drivers: Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken, Connor Zilisch, and Vesti.

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When I got in the car, everything just clicked. I feel like I drove at my absolute best. We were the fastest car on track, and we caught a yellow at a crucial moment, which allowed us to get our lap back. I went flat-out and drove like I had nothing to lose. Five overtakes in five minutes both on the inside and the outside against top-class drivers - that’s what racing is all about! It was absolutely incredible to be part of.

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With every overtake, my confidence grew and I dared to push a little more. I’ve received a lot of praise from the team today. That means a lot.

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We ended up finishing P2, just 1.5 seconds behind the winners. Jack Aitken drove the final stint and seemed to do absolutely everything right. We were so close, but car no. 7 simply had that last bit that allowed them to stay ahead. That said, I’m convinced that if we had been leading, we would have been able to hold on to the position ourselves.

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Vesti views the race as an important benchmark of his endurance-racing skillset.

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When I look back at last year’s Daytona race, the two are simply not comparable. There has been massive progress across the board. My personal highlight this time was carving my way through the field from the very back up to P4/P5. Yes, I risked the condition of the car, but I knew that decision had to be made if we wanted to get back into contention. So it was a bit of a leap of faith but a necessary one.

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For Vesti, potential is the key difference between then and now. More experience and greater confidence unlock a higher ceiling.

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We’re taking home P2. A very strong start to the season, and a huge thank-you to my teammates and to Whelen Cadillac. But as I said on the podium, it’s a good sign to be frustrated with P2. Expect to win. Always. We raced with our hearts for all 24 hours. We’ll just have to come back and chase the coveted "Rolex Daytona watch" another time. I would’ve loved to pack that one in my suitcase! But the fact that only one Dane has ever won the overall race at Daytona says it all. Respect to John Nielsen. And finally, a big congratulations to Malthe Jacobsen on his LMP2 class victory.

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Vesti now faces an intense schedule of testing and Formula 1 duties before returning for the second IMSA round of the season at Sebring, Florida.