2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona Champion Luis Felipe Derani

On January 31, 2016, race car driver Luis Felipe Derani, or 'Pipo' as he is also known, took the checkered flag for Tequila Patron ESM at the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona, his first race in the United States. Only 22 years old, he is also one of the youngest champions of this race, taking the No. 2 Tequila Patron ESM Honda-powered Ligier JS P2 to victory. 

The driver expressed that it was an honor to be competing with others he has looked up to before participating in the race. "To fight with these guys is going to be pretty mega," he noted in a video by Tequila Patron ESM before the race. 

Along with co-drivers Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek and Ed Brown, Derani crossed the finish line 26.166 seconds before Max Angelelli in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP. 

“This is my first sportscar race in America and Daytona 24 Hours. We had an alarm of the gearbox temperature and powersteering, which was a little bit scary. Maybe it was just a sensor, my engineer kept me relaxed, but it was a bit scary for the last 30 minutes," Derani stated. 

No. 2 Tequila Patron ESM Honda-powered Ligier JS P2

The 24 hour endurance race is held annually at Daytona International Speedway and sponsored by Rolex.

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