Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Lynn has said that he has to adapt to IMSA’s tradition of opening the season with a 24-hour race, as it is not something he is used to.
The Briton is one of several new signings for Chip Ganassi’s DPi crew in 2022, but crucially one of the few drivers that has not previously contested the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
He has one previous IMSA start to his name, winning the 2017 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Wayne Taylor Racing. He also won the GTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020 so has no shortage of experience in longer endurance races.
But, as the 28-year-old explains, the timing of the Florida classic taking place so earlier in the season is something he has had to deal with.
“It’s difficult having the first round of the championship being a 24-race. It’s so unique,” Lynn said.
“In other championships, you build up to a 24-hour race. Not much time for the teams to prepare, but for us mentally it’s difficult because it’s going straight from a break to a 24-hour race.”
Apart from being the crown jewel in IMSA’s calendar, the Rolex 24 also acts as the opening round of the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
That brings extra pressure for Lynn, who is signed up for a full-season campaign in the #02 Cadillac DPi-VR alongside former Porsche factory driver Earl Bamber.
“The key word is endurance, just getting through the night and seeing where you are,” he added. “There are a lot of points at stake, and you want to build up momentum for the championship, but it’s obviously a race that everyone wants to win.”
To make up for his lack of Daytona experience, Lynn is able to bank on a group of extremely experienced team-mates, with three out of four drivers in the sister #01 car having won the race overall previously.
Sebastien Bourdais won in 2014, Scott Dixon in 2006, 2015 and 2020 and Renger van der Zande has also won it twice, his most recent victory coming alongside Dixon two years ago.
It makes the Dutchman, who came close to adding a third Rolex watch to his collection last year, very qualified to speak on the unique challenges of the Florida enduance classic.
“The mental aspect is to focus on your job and trust the others to do well,” spoke Van der Zande. “The only thing you can focus on is that little piece that you’re contributing to the whole team.
“You’re relying on your teammates, you’re relying on the strategy, you’re relying on the mechanical side of your car. To get everything right is not easy.”
“I’m with an amazing group of drivers and amazing group of people I work with who are to be trusted.”
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January 27, 2022 at 10:49PM
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Lynn: Daytona as season opener 'difficult mentally' - Motorsport Week
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