BMW M4 GT3 EVO Storms To Debut WEC Victory At Imola

The BMW M4 GT3 EVO announced itself in emphatic fashion at the 6 Hours of Imola, powering the #69 Team WRT entry to a remarkable debut victory in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Dan Harper, Parker Thompson and Anthony McIntosh steered their machine across the finish line first on their very first outing together in the series, delivering Team WRT its second LMGT3 success at the Italian circuit after the memorable one-two lockout of 2024. A record crowd of 92,175 spectators packed the grandstands, and the atmosphere only grew more electric as the BMW M Hybrid V8s added their own respectable haul in the Hypercar category, clocking fifth and seventh place finishes.

Both BMW M Hybrid V8s rolled off the grid from ninth and tenth after punching their way into Hyperpole on Saturday. René Rast and Robin Frijns wasted no time attacking in the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, though a drive-through penalty soon saw them slip down the order. The duo refused to surrender, clawing back the deficit lap by lap before Rast wrestled the car home in fifth after a tense final stint. Kevin Magnussen and Raffaele Marciello piloted the sister #15 machine to seventh, securing valuable championship points in what was a demanding opening round for the crews.

Over in the LMGT3 battle, the #69 BMW M4 GT3 EVO launched from fourth on the grid before McIntosh executed a blistering opening stint that catapulted the car straight into contention. The Team WRT entry locked itself inside the top three for much of the race, trading blows with fierce rivals, before capitalising on a late mechanical issue for the leading McLaren to seize control. Harper piloted the machine home for the chequered flag and the trio’s first shared win. The sister #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael and Darren Leung also impressed, holding firm to finish fifth despite a five-second penalty for an unsafe release during pit stops.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, hailed a spectacular curtain-raiser, noting that the Hypercar battles for fourth during the closing phase had been absolutely gigantic, and reserving special praise for the victorious LMGT3 crew. Team Principal Vincent Vosse echoed the sentiment, describing the opening round as a strong platform to build upon while dedicating the victory to Juha Miettinen, who sadly passed away at the Nürburgring. Rast admitted the penalty had cost his crew a likely podium challenge, while Marciello pointed to a minor tyre strategy misstep that had denied them a crack at fourth place overall in the Hypercar standings.

For the winning drivers, the emotion was palpable. Harper praised the flawless Team WRT strategy and admitted he had already resigned himself to second place before the McLaren ahead slowed dramatically on track. Thompson, celebrating victory on his very first FIA WEC outing with the squad, sympathised with the stricken rival crew, having experienced similar heartbreak himself in the past. McIntosh described his teammates and the wider squad as absolutely legendary across the weekend, praising the calm, composed behaviour of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO that enabled him to execute several clean overtaking manoeuvres. Farfus, meanwhile, acknowledged the #32 crew had battled technical gremlins before the race yet still banked crucial championship points, proving once again that consistency is the name of the game in endurance racing.