Acura completes its roster for Daytona, no Verstappen

Max Verstappen will not participate in the 24 2025 Hours of Daytona (January 25-26). The fantasy of a participation of the four-time world champion of Formula 1 to the American classic in January was born from a pilot test Red Bull at the wheel of the Japanese manufacturer's Acura ARX-06 at the end of November, before the Las Vegas Grand Prix where he was crowned. The Dutchman had already ruled out the possibility of lining up at the start of the two-hour race next month, but his absence is now official. Acura has, in fact, announced the eighth and final element of its squad for Daytona.

Kakunoshin Ohta – Photo: IMSA

Unsurprisingly, the lucky winner is Kakunoshin Ohta. Vice-champion of Super Formula Lights in 2022, the 25-year-old Japanese has since competed in Super GT and Super Formula. An official Honda driver, he took part in the IMSA pre-season tests at Daytona in November. I am very happy that my challenge to race in IMSA has been officially decided, rejoices the person concerned. I will make sure to meet everyone's expectations and continue to progress. I look forward to competing in the top category alongside some of the best riders in the world. »

Ohta joins season-long starters Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly and three-time champion Alex Palou IndyCar, in the Acura ARX-06 No. 93. The Japanese driver will also participate in the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen (June 19-22) and the Indianapolis event (September 19-21).

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