The final weekend of the GTWC Sprint Cup in Zandvoort saw the BMW M Team WRT crews standing several times on the podium. Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin impressed with third in Saturday’s race. Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor finished an epic Sunday’s race in second position. They were joined on the podium by WRT’s Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams in third, who were crowned Champions in the GTWC Gold Cup and the GTWC Sprint Gold Cup.
Zandvoort. The final weekend of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup in Zandvoort (NED) saw the BMW M Team WRT crews standing several times on the podium over the weekend. BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL) impressed with a fantastic comeback to third in Saturday’s race. Fellow BMW M works drivers, Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor (both BEL), finished an epic Sunday’s race in second position. They were joined on the podium by WRT’s Niklas Krütten (GER) and Calan Williams (AUS) in third, who were crowned Champions in the GTWC Gold Cup and the GTWC Sprint Gold Cup.
On Saturday, after a difficult qualifying session, BMW M Team WRT’s four BMW M4 GT3s started the race in the middle of the grid. At the start, the four cars managed to stay out of trouble and to gain some positions. Rossi, at the wheel of the #46 BMW M4 GT3, made up five positions before the race was interrupted by a Safety Car. Rossi then handed the #46 car to Martin, who had a fantastic drive, and, thanks to several audacious overtakes, managed to bring the car into third position after starting from P15, delivering the third podium of the sprint season for the #46 team. The #32 car of Vanthoor and Weerts crossed the line in fifth.
The 2023 IMSA season concluded with an eventful 26th running of the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta (USA). In the ten-hour race, marked by numerous accidents and numerous deployments of the BMW XM Safety Car, the two BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 prototypes finished in seventh and eighth positions in the new GTP class. Turner Motorsport secured a podium finish in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3.
Road Atlanta. The 2023 season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) concluded with an eventful 26th running of the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta (USA). In the ten-hour race, marked by numerous accidents and numerous deployments of the BMW XM Safety Car, the two BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 prototypes finished in seventh and eighth positions in the new GTP class. Turner Motorsport secured a podium finish in the GTD class with the BMW M4 GT3.
After ten hours filled with incidents, the race ended behind the safety car. The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Connor De Phillippi (USA), Nick Yelloly (GBR), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), finished in seventh place. Directly behind them was the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, which had Augusto Farfus (BRA), Philipp Eng (AUT) and Marco Wittmann (GER) alternating at the wheel.
The Petit Le Mans race marked the end of the debut season for the BMW M Hybrid V8. In the nine races held in the new GTP class of the IMSA this year BMW M Team RLL secured five podium finishes with the vehicle, including a victory in the six-hour race at Watkins Glen (USA).
Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.
Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:
“What an exciting phase of the motorsport season! Every week, titles are being won all over the world and I am delighted to again be able to congratulate BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams – particularly Adrenalin Motorsport Team Motec on their overall victory in the NLS. For the sixth time in a row - awesome! I am also pleased for Walkenhorst Motorsport, who dominated the season in the top SP9 Pro class and deservedly won the NLS Speed Trophy. I would also like to congratulate all the other members of the BMW M Motorsport family, who brought a successful season on the Nordschleife to a close on Saturday! In North America, Zac Anderson won the Silver class in GT4 America. Charlie Postins and James Clay also won the title in the Am category. I was at Indianapolis myself and was able to congratulate them personally. When title races are so close, there are obviously disappointments. I can ensure the BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams who narrowly missed out that we are still very proud of their magnificent performances this season. I am sure they will get another chance!”
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BMW M Team RLL will close the inaugural IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season for its BMW M Hybrid V8 racing cars at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans, at Road Atlanta (USA), looking to cap the year with a second GTP class victory and, potentially, a driver’s title.
Munich. BMW M Team RLL will close the inaugural IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season for its BMW M Hybrid V8 racing cars at this weekend’s Petit Le Mans, at Road Atlanta (USA), looking to cap the year with a second GTP class victory and, potentially, a driver’s title. BMW M works drivers Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) are currently in fourth place in the GTP driver’s championship, only 38 points from the lead. They aim to add one more great finish to their season that has already seen one victory among five podium finishes.
For the 10-hour Petit Le Mans race, De Phillippi and Yelloly will be joined in the cockpit of the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 by fellow BMW M works driver Sheldon van der Linde (RSA). Marco Wittmann (GER) joins fellow BMW M works drivers Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Philipp Eng (AUT) in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 with the aim of securing the first podium for the car.
Victory for BMW M Team WRT and the BMW M4 GT3 at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, the fourth and penultimate race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season. BMW works drivers Philipp Eng (AUT), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) secured a triumph at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA) with a 53 second margin.
Indianapolis. Victory for BMW M Team WRT and the BMW M4 GT3 at the Indianapolis 8 Hour, the fourth and penultimate race of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season. BMW works drivers Philipp Eng (AUT), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) secured a triumph at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA) with a 53 second margin. With this third consecutive IGTC win following the Kyalami 9 Hour (RSA) in February and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) in July, BMW defended its lead in the manufacturer's standings ahead of Mercedes. Eng remains second in the driver's championship but closed the gap on the top spot. BMW M Motorsport will compete in the season finale in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in December, contending for titles in both categories.
The #30 BMW M4 GT3 started from fourth position, but Eng managed to take the lead in the first corner. The BMW M Team WRT trio temporarily lost the lead when they received a drive-through penalty for exceeding the maximum stint duration. However, with excellent speed – the BMW M4 GT3s tyre wear was reduced significantly by cooler temperatures on race day – Eng staged a comeback from fourth to second place. Leading the race with a little over two hours remaining was the #31 BMW M4 GT3 with the WRT trio of Augusto Farfus (BRA), Maxime Martin and Charles Weerts (both BEL). However, Farfus collided with another car while attempting to overtake a lapped opponent, damaging the front suspension of his car. BMW M Team WRT managed to repair the damage but lost more than ten laps in the process. Nevertheless, the joy of the team's first victory in the USA clearly overshadowed the setback.
North American BMW M Motorsport teams BimmerWorld and ST Racing also competed in Indianapolis but faced their fair share of issues. Samantha Tan (CAN), BMW works driver Neil Verhagen and Jake Walker (both USA) finished in 12th place, while Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley and Chandler Hull (all USA) retired from the race shortly before the end.
The ‘Gulf 12 Hours’, the IGTC season finale, will take place on 9th/10th December in Abu Dhabi.
Reactions after the race:
Our BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.
Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:
“A fantastic race weekend for the BMW M Motorsport teams in Italy and Spain! Congratulations to Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport, Michael Schrey, and Gabriele Piana on winning the title in the GT4 European Series, as well as to Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport for a very strong season with the BMW M4 GT4. Securing the title and achieving race wins in arguably the best-staffed GT4 racing series in the world is a truly remarkable feat. I was also delighted with the successes of Team BMW Italia Ceccato Racing with the BMW M4 GT3. The team led by Team Principal Roberto Ravaglia handles our GT3 car exceptionally well and is regularly rewarded with strong results. Additionally, the triumphs of our Sim racing works team BS+Competition underscore how seriously we continue to take this aspect of our racing programme. Congratulations!”
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GT4 European Series: Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport celebrates championship victory.
There was great jubilation for Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport and drivers Michael Schrey (GER) and Gabriele Piana (ITA) last weekend at Barcelona (ESP). With a victory in the final race of the GT4 European Series, they secured the titles in the team and driver standings of the Silver Cup in the #2 BMW M4 GT4. With 171 points each and three season wins, Schrey and Piana finished the year with a 26-point lead in the driver standings. In the team standings, the gap to second place was an even greater 28 points. Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, with Tom Edgar (GBR) and Berkay Besler (TUR) at the wheel of the #12 BMW M4 GT4, finished third in both the teams' and drivers' standings at the end of the season. The duo celebrated one win and three more podium finishes but only managed to score four points at the season finale in Barcelona, leaving them with no chance of winning the title.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season concluded with the 3-hour race at Barcelona (ESP). While the BMW M Motorsport teams didn't achieve strong results in the season finale, the ROWE Racing team looks back on an impressive season.
Barcelona. The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season concluded with the 3-hour race at Barcelona (ESP). While the BMW M Motorsport teams didn't achieve strong results in the season finale, the ROWE Racing team looks back on an impressive season. Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) celebrated fantastic victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) and the Monza (ITA) season opener. The driver trio and the team both finish the season second in the overall standings of the Endurance Cup for drivers and teams.
Although there was still a mathematical chance of the title before the race, the pace of the #98 BMW M4 GT3 was not sufficient to attack the top spot, as had been the case at the Nürburgring (GER) recently. Eng, Wittmann and Yelloly finished in tenth place in the season finale. The BMW Junior Team with BMW M works drivers Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER) and Neil Verhagen (USA) secured twelfth place. At Monza, the trio celebrated their first podium finish in the series, coming in second. Overall, ROWE Racing achieved two victories (Monza, Spa-Francorchamps), one second place (Monza) and one third place (Le Castellet) in the Endurance Cup in 2023.
The BMW M Team WRT couldn't replicate the strong results they regularly achieve in the Sprint Cup during their first year with the BMW M4 GT3 in the endurance races. At Barcelona, Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts (both BEL) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) managed to secure eleventh place despite a damaged rear on their #32 BMW M4 GT3. Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) retired early in the #46 BMW M4 GT3. The #30 BMW M4 GT3 from the WRT team finished fourth in the Gold Cup. In the Bronze Cup, the WRT team #31 BMW M4 GT3 with BMW M works driver Jesse Krohn (FIN) and the #35 BMW M4 GT3 from Walkenhorst Motorsport finished in seventh and eighth positions.
The Sprint Cup season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS with the BMW M Team WRT will conclude on 14th/15th October at Zandvoort (NED).
Munich. Two wins in three races is the record with which BMW M Motorsport travels to round four of this season’s Intercontinental GT Challenge at Indianapolis (USA), where it will be looking to back up the strong results achieved so far. BMW M Team WRT will compete at the Indianapolis 8 Hour on 7th October with two BMW M4 GT3s and six BMW M works drivers. BMW leads the manufacturer standings after the previous races at Bathurst (AUS), Kyalami (RSA) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). In the Drivers’ Championship, 24h Spa winner Philipp Eng (AUT) is the best-placed BMW M Motorsport driver in second place.
Eng has 43 points to his name, thanks largely to his victory at Spa-Francorchamps and second place at Kyalami in February, and trails the leader by 15 points. At Indianapolis, he will share the cockpit with Dries Vanthoor (BEL) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), who are currently sixth in the driver standings. Maxime Martin, Charles Weerts (both BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) will be in action in the second BMW M4 GT3. These three drivers are also well-placed in the Drivers’ Championship. BMW tops the manufacturer standings with 100 points, courtesy of the one-two for BMW M Team WRT at Kyalami and ROWE Racing’s triumph at the 24h Spa.
BMW M Motorsport News allows us to give you a regular overview of the race action in various championships around the world and any success enjoyed by the BMW M Motorsport teams.
Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport:
“Autumn has started with fantastic success for our BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers. With the BMW M4 GT3, we not only enjoyed a one-two in Sunday’s DTM race at the Red Bull Ring, but also a one-two in the ADAC GT Masters at the same venue, courtesy of FK Performance and Schubert Motorsport. Walkenhorst Motorsport continued its winning run on the Nordschleife. Plus, we had the dominant success for BMW Ceccato Racing in the Italian GT Endurance Championship. In the GT Cup Championship too, victory went to the BMW M4 GT3. Furthermore, our BMW M4 GT4 and the BMW M2 CS Racing also celebrated more great successes in Europe and the USA. At this point, I would like to congratulate our two champions who won titles at the weekend: Colin Garrett in TC America and Leyton Fourie in the BMW M2 Cup. All this success makes us hungry for the conclusion to the season in the many championships around the world.”
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Top topics in this newsletter:
- NLS: Walkenhorst Motorsport makes it three wins in a row.
- ADAC GT Masters: One-two for the BMW M4 GT3 at the Red Bull Ring.
- Italian GT Endurance Championship: Dominant win for BMW Ceccato Racing at Monza.
- TC America: Colin Garrett is crowned champion with races to come.
- BMW M2 Cup: Leyton Fourie is the 2023 champion.
At the penultimate race weekend of the DTM season at the Red Bull Ring (AUT), the BMW M4 GT3 returned to the winner's circle. René Rast (GER) celebrated his first victory as a BMW M works driver with a first-place finish in Sunday's race. Prior to that, he broke Bernd Schneider's (GER) DTM record with his second pole position of the season. With a total of 26 poles, Rast is now the sole leader in the all-time best list.
Spielberg. At the penultimate race weekend of the DTM season at the Red Bull Ring (AUT), the BMW M4 GT3 returned to the winner's circle. René Rast (GER) celebrated his first victory as a BMW M works driver with a first-place finish in Sunday's race. Prior to that, he broke Bernd Schneider's (GER) DTM record with his second pole position of the season. With a total of 26 poles, Rast is now the sole leader in the all-time best list. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) secured second place on Sunday, contributing to a 1-2 for Team Schubert Motorsport. Marco Wittmann (GER) matched his best season result as he finished fourth on Sunday, narrowly missing out on his first podium with the Project 1 Team.
After a mixed Saturday race at Spielberg, where Rast narrowly missed the podium in fourth place and Wittmann and van der Linde finished eighth and 13th, the three BMW M works drivers bounced back on Sunday. Rast secured pole position with a lead of 0.111 seconds over his teammate van der Linde, while Wittmann started from fifth. In the race, the Schubert duo defended the first two positions to the finish line, while Wittmann battled for third place but ultimately settled for fourth. He had achieved the same result at Zandvoort (NED). Sandro Holzem (GER) finished 24th in the second Project 1 BMW M4 GT3 on Saturday and retired on Sunday.
Heading into the season finale in October at Hockenheim (GER), van der Linde and Rast are currently in fourth and fifth place in the driver's standings. In the team standings, Schubert Motorsport is in fourth place.
On the penultimate race weekend of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) at Indianapolis (USA), there was plenty of reason to celebrate for the BMW M Motorsport teams. Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) secured a spot on the podium by finishing third in the 2-hour and 40-minute race in the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 of BMW M Team RLL.
Indianapolis. On the penultimate race weekend of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) at Indianapolis (USA), there was plenty of reason to celebrate for the BMW M Motorsport teams. Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) secured a spot on the podium by finishing third in the 2-hour and 40-minute race in the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 of BMW M Team RLL. It marked the duo’s fifth podium finish in the debut season of the GTP class. In the GTD category, Paul Miller Racing drivers Madison Snow and Bryan Sellers (both USA) clinched the GTD title prematurely with a third-place finish in the #1 BMW M4 GT3, simultaneously defending the Sprint Cup championship they had won in 2022 .
While De Phillippi and Yelloly fought their way to the podium from the seventh starting position during the course of 113 laps on the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, their teammates in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 had a stroke of bad luck. After just nine laps, Philipp Eng (AUT) had to pit due to technical issues. It wasn't until two further stops that the electric problems of the LMDh car could be solved, allowing Eng and Augusto Farfus (BRA) to continue the race with a significant deficit. They were ultimately classified as tenth in the GTP class. In the overall standings of the IMSA series, De Phillippi and Yelloly are currently in fourth place with 2422 points each, just 38 points behind the leaders, ahead of the season finale on 14th October in Road Atlanta (USA).
In the GTD category, Madison Snow and Bryan Sellers secured the title win one race before the end of the season. The third-place finish on the Indianapolis podium was enough for the Paul Miller Racing drivers to become champions in both the GTD overall standings and the Sprint Cup, which they had won in 2022. On their way to the title, Snow and Sellers celebrated five class victories in the #1 BMW M4 GT3, more than any other team in the GTD class before. At Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans in October, they now have the chance to win the Endurance Cup title as well. At Indianapolis, the two BMW M4 GT3s from Turner Motorsport finished fifth and seventh in the GTD category.
Reactions after the race:
- GT World Challenge Europe: BMW M Team WRT wins the Sunday race at Valencia.
- BMW M Team RLL looking to return to the IMSA GTP podium at Indianapolis.
- BMW M Motorsport News, 12th September 2023
- DTM: Sheldon van der Linde and René Rast secure top-ten finishes in a challenging weekend.
- Grand appearance for BMW M Motorsport race cars at the Nürburgring.
- GT World Challenge Europe: BMW M Team WRT secures a podium finish at Hockenheim in the Sprint Cup.
- BMW M Team WRT is testing the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Spa-Francorchamps – BMW M4 GT3 EVO is set to arrive in 2025.
- BMW M Motorsport News, 28th August 2023
- BMW M Motorsport News, 21st August 2023
- DTM: BMW M Motorsport teams in the points at the Lausitzring – 100th DTM race for René Rast.
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