SEBRING, Florida (March 20, 2026) – Paul Miller Racing is keeping its endurance momentum alive with another impressive performance, securing a front-row start for this weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in the No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
Since winning at Sebring in 2025, Paul Miller Racing has stood on the podium at every IMSA endurance race – and after today’s qualifying performance, the team is well-positioned to fight for another on Saturday.
Neil Verhagen’s best lap of 1:58.886, set on his fourth of five laps, initially placed the No. 1 BMW third in GTD Pro. Following a post-session disqualification of the second-place car, the team moves up to P2 on the grid, just 0.406 seconds off pole in a tight field that sets the stage for another classic Sebring battle.
“The car felt great today,” said Verhagen. “We made some key improvements overnight, and the team really nailed the setup. Starting P2 is a great position, but it’s a long race so we’ll stay smart, keep it clean, and be ready to fight at the end.”
The No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO showed marked improvement from Thursday’s practice sessions, with engineers and drivers fine-tuning the setup overnight to maximize performance in Friday’s qualifying run.
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is one of endurance racing’s most legendary tests – a brutal combination of relentless bumps, and constant traffic across four classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD PRO, and GTD. This year’s entry list features 55 cars navigating the 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit.
Unlike Daytona, Sebring’s circuit has no track lighting, meaning much of the race unfolds in near darkness – a major challenge for both drivers and spotters alike.
With dry and hot weather predicted for race day, tire management is expected to play an outsized role.
Teams will need to adapt to evolving grip levels as the surface temperature climbs through the afternoon before settling as night falls.
Paul Miller Racing’s experience in managing those long-term variables has been a cornerstone of the team’s endurance success over the past season.
Sebring also carries extra weight in the Michelin Endurance Cup, awarding points at the four, eight, and twelve-hour marks.
That makes strategy even more critical, as teams must balance risk versus reward throughout the race’s multiple phases.
Verhagen will share driving duties with Max Hesse and Connor De Phillippi, forming an all-BMW factory lineup that combines youth, experience, and proven chemistry.
The trio recently reunited after an equally strong run at Daytona, underlining Paul Miller Racing’s role as one of BMW’s most consistent and strategic GTD Pro contenders.
For Hesse, who returns to Sebring after several strong runs in both North America and Europe, Saturday’s challenge is one he embraces.
“It’s a special race – the bumps, the fans – everything about Sebring is intense,” he said. “Starting up front gives us a great opportunity, but we know we need to stay focused for all twelve hours.”
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring goes green at 10:10 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 21. Fans can watch the race live on Peacock in the U.S. and internationally on YouTube, and follow @paulmillerracing on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and exclusive content throughout the event weekend.
