Philip Ellis has described a late-race 175mph slide at the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona as “one of the wildest moments of my career”, following a breathtaking duel that ultimately sealed GTD class victory for Winward Racing.
The decisive moment came with barely ten minutes remaining in the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic. Ellis, at the wheel of the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, was locked in an intense battle for the lead with Nicki Thiim in the #44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin. As the pair charged through the fastest section of the Daytona International Speedway, the tension finally spilled over into contact, sending Ellis into a heart-stopping slide at close to 175mph.
Reflecting on the incident afterwards, the 33-year-old German admitted the full gravity of the moment did not register immediately. “It was definitely one of the wildest moments of my career,” Ellis told Motorsport.com. A veteran of high-profile incidents during his junior single-seater days in Europe, he conceded that this one would “take some time to sink in”.
Such was the intensity of the fight that Ellis remained unaware of the damage until the cool-down lap. “It wasn’t until the in-lap that I realised I was missing the mirror,” he said. “I was so focused on the fight that I didn’t even notice. I wasn’t really aware how close we were to a disaster that could have seen both of us out of the race.”
Ellis was quick to shoulder responsibility for the clash, which resulted in a warning from race control. Attempting to break Thiim’s momentum, he misjudged the proximity of the wall while applying the side draft. “That one is on me,” he acknowledged. “At that speed, the consequences can be massive. But I’m happy we both continued and gave the fans a great show.”
He also expressed surprise at Thiim’s relentless pressure in the closing stages, admitting he had not expected the Dane to mount such a sustained challenge. Whether through improved pace or the benefits of the slipstream, the Aston Martin remained a threat until the chequered flag.
Earlier in the race, Ellis had already received a warning for forcing Mattia Drudi’s #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin off the circuit, though he was unaware of that sanction at the time of the later clash. Even so, he doubted knowledge of Thiim’s own situation would have significantly altered his approach, preferring the outcome to be decided on track rather than in the stewards’ room.
“It’s what people come here to watch,” Ellis concluded. “That’s what makes IMSA so special.”
Key Details from the GTD Decider
| Driver | Car Number | Team | Manufacturer | Notable Incident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Ellis | #57 | Winward Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 175mph slide after contact, race win |
| Nicki Thiim | #44 | Magnus Racing | Aston Martin GT3 | Late-race contact while fighting for lead |
| Mattia Drudi | #27 | Heart of Racing | Aston Martin GT3 | Forced off-track earlier in the race |
Ellis’s composure under pressure ultimately secured his third Rolex 24 victory, capping a dramatic finale that underlined both the risks and rewards of top-level GT racing.