North American Sweep Would Be “Cool Anecdote” for Vanthoor

Photo: Porsche

Laurens Vanthoor says taking wins in every race he contested on North American soil this year would be a “cool anecdote” should the Belgian driver pull off victory in Saturday’s Motul Petit Le Mans.

The Porsche Penske Motorsport driver is going for his fifth win on U.S. soil in as many races this year, after teaming up with Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr to win both the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, before taking an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class win on the streets of Long Beach in a one-off AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R entry with Jonny Edgar.

The reigning FIA World Endurance Hypercar drivers’ champion then went on to claim his first WEC win of the season in last month’s Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas alongside Kevin Estre and Matt Campbell.

He returns to the wheel of the No. 7 Porsche 963 with Tandy and Nasr this weekend for the first time since winning the ’36 Hours of Florida.’

“I’ve only thought about IMSA, but it’s true,” Vanthoor told Sportscar365. “I had the funny thought it would be cool to sweep the IMSA races, but it’s true also with the race in WEC on U.S. soil.

“It would be quite cool. It would be a cool anecdote at the end of the year.

“It’s more of a funny stat, because I’m here as a third driver supporting Nick and Felipe and my role is to help Porsche win the manufacturer’s championship, and if they have the chance, to help [the No. 7 crew] win the [drivers’] championship.

“That’s the priority. That’s my job. That’s on my job list for this weekend. Obviously, if that means I can win the race, then that would be great for me personally, but I don’t think they will help me just for that.”

Vanthoor, remarkably, already has a 42 percent win record this year, when combined with his other activities, which has included several GT3 one-offs and a run in the Zolder 24 Hours in addition to his full-season WEC program.

“My wife made a summary last week,” he said. “I’ve done 14 races, ten podiums and six victories. I don’t think about it because you’re always busy. It’s obviously a good season with the win in Daytona and Sebring.

“I think those are the highlights.

“I wouldn’t call it a downside, but the second place at Le Mans is, in a way, also a highlight because it was literally a perfect race from all of us, which in such a race with so much pressure at the height of the year is an achievement.

“But then to come second is contrary, but I think in general it’s been a good season.

“[There’s] some nice races to go and some championships to grab, so hopefully we can finish it off on a good note.”

With Porsche fighting for the GTP manufacturers’ championship, and the sister No. 6 Porsche of Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet with a 128-point lead in the drivers’ standings, Vanthoor admitted that his odds of completing the ‘sweep’ may be difficult.

“I wouldn’t be a sportsman if I didn’t choose myself or my car to win the race,” he said. “I would do absolutely everything for that.

“But I also know, working for Porsche and Penske, you need to choose your moments where you need to be slightly more egoistic and slightly more working with the team.

“This weekend is definitely one of those weekends where I need to give instead of take. So, my priority is to do what they wish me to do and try to win the manufacturers’ [title], and that means we can win the race, that’s better.

“Next month in Bahrain is the other way around. It’s on us and on me, so it changes a bit on the weekend. But if there is a win for the grab, there is no hesitation.”

Vanthoor Pushing for Full-Time IMSA Return With Porsche Penske in 2026

With Porsche Penske’s WEC Hypercar program coming to an end, Vanthoor has expressed his desire to end up driving one of the two factory Porsche 963s in WeatherTech Championship full-time next year.

“I’ve already spent a couple of seasons in IMSA and I’ve always said to my wife at the end of my career, I want to spend that time in America and buy an RV and so on,” he said.

“I must admit, today that’s a bit earlier than anticipated, but I’m under contract with Porsche to drive a 963 and the only place to do that is here next year, so I would assume I’ll be spending more time here.

“Nothing has been communicated yet, but I would definitely enjoy being here. I love being in the States. I love doing the races in IMSA. it would be an enjoyment to be here.

“I’m driving for Porsche, [regardless] of what’s happening. So, for me, it’s a no-brainer that if I have to choose, I would do the full season here in IMSA. That’s absolutely clear.

“I’ve always dreamt of racing for this team, to race for Porsche and for Roger [Penske]. I just sat with him in the bus for half an hour and that was always a dream of mine to be able to work with some people.

“In the end, I also dream to still win Le Mans. That’s the only race I haven’t won yet, so we’ll see how that opportunity evolves in the future, but for the moment, if you look at ’26, I would love to spend the time here.”

Jonathan Grace contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John