BMW M4 GT3 EVOs Control Dubai 24 Hours As WRT Seals The 1-2

BMW started the endurance year with a statement in the desert, as the Dubai 24 Hour welcomed a grid of more than 60 cars and saw the M4 deliver results across GT3 and GT4. Four BMWs took on the GT3 fight, with another M4 lining up in GT4, and by Sunday afternoon, the brand had banked overall honours, the GT3 win, and a class victory in GT4.

Team WRT arrived with momentum and pedigree. Over the past decade, the squad has made a habit of landing on the podium at Dubai, and after taking overall victory there last year in its first outing with BMW, it returned to repeat the job. The team’s two M4 GT3 EVO entries ultimately finished first and second overall, adding another chapter to its growing record at the event.

The weekend did not begin with BMW looking untouchable on one-lap pace. With multiple qualifying segments feeding a top-10 shootout, WRT’s cars reached the final phase but lined up behind the pole-sitting Mercedes-AMG. Once the race settled into its rhythm, however, the M4s began to look far stronger over a stint, and the early laps set the tone when Kelvin van der Linde hauled the #669 car from fourth into the lead almost immediately.

As strategy and pit cycles unfolded, BMW’s GT3 runners repeatedly surfaced at the sharp end, and by mid-race the leading group had a clear Bavarian flavour. Late drama hit Paradine Competition’s challenge when a brake disc failure sidelined the #992 car inside the final half-hour, a brutal end after it had been running near the front and controlling its class battle.

Up front, WRT still had work to do, with the #669 car forced into careful fuel management to cover the run to the flag ahead of its sister #27 entry. Jordan Pepper threaded that needle to secure the win on his first outing as a BMW works driver, while Cerny Motorsport guided the #445 M4 GT4 EVO to GT4 class victory, proving that finishing strong over 24 hours is as much about discipline as outright pace. Next up for the series is a 12-hour test at Mugello on 20–22 March, where the endurance grind moves from desert heat to Italian kerbs.