Mexican driver Sebastián Álvarez suffered a major setback at the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, after his team, Tower Motorsport, was disqualified in the LMP2 category due to a technical violation detected in the post-race inspection. This ruling not only cost him the victory but also the prestigious Rolex awarded to the winners of the iconic endurance race.
A REVIEW THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING 🚨🔎
After completing the grueling endurance race, IMSA officials conducted an inspection of the #8 Tower Motorsport car, where they discovered an irregularity that violated FIA Technical Regulation 3.5.6.
🔹 Detected violation: The car exceeded the maximum allowed wear on the regulated skid block area at the bottom.
🔹 Regulatory limit: The FIA permits a maximum wear of 5 mm, but Álvarez’s car exceeded this measurement.
🔹 Appeal attempt: Tower Motorsport filed a protest, but IMSA immediately rejected it, upholding the penalty.
FROM FIRST TO LAST PLACE 📉😞
Following the penalty, the #8 car was relegated to last place in the LMP2 category, finishing 12th in the final classification. This decision benefited United Autosport, whose #22 car crew—Daniel Goldburg, Paul Di Resta, Rasmus Lindh, and James Allen—was officially declared the new LMP2 winners.
A BITTER BLOW FOR ÁLVAREZ 🇲🇽🔥
Sebastián Álvarez delivered a strong performance during the race, helping his team climb back through the field after early setbacks. The Mexican driver arrived in IMSA after finishing runner-up in the 2024 European Le Mans Series, showcasing his speed and skill at the wheel.
Alongside Álvarez, the #8 car also featured Sebastien Bourdais, a multiple Champ Car champion, who now sees his on-track effort erased due to this technical ruling.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES ⏳🤔
IMSA’s official statement, released on Wednesday following the race, confirmed that the penalty stands, leaving Tower Motorsport off the podium and closing a painful chapter for Mexican motorsports.
Despite the setback, Sebastián Álvarez’s performance at Daytona proves he is a driver with the potential to continue excelling in endurance racing. However, this edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona will be remembered as the one where he lost the win and the Rolex off the track, at the stewards’ table. 😓🏆
