By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
    Leapmotor presents its range at Automobile Barcelona, Spain
    May 14, 2025
    Alfa Romeo sporting glory dominates “Fuori Concorso”
    May 13, 2025
    Market Art Fair Stockholm and BMW Sweden present Gregor Hildebrandt as artist for BMW Art Commission 2025
    May 13, 2025
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Toyota Mobility Foundation announces five finalists for $3 million Venice Sustainable Cities Challenge
    May 29, 2025
    Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Nissan production, sales, and exports for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Honda Production, Sales and Export Results for April, 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Škoda Auto marks 55 years since production of the Skopak began in Pakistan
    May 29, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
    Kia and LG Electronics Partner to Showcase New PBV Concepts for Work and Play
    April 4, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
    Sourcing Guide Right-Hand Drive American SUVs and Pickup Trucks in Africa
    April 29, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    SEAT S.A. moves towards electric car production in Martorell
    May 29, 2025
    Polestar 3 wins Best EV SUV and Luxury Car of the Year awards
    May 29, 2025
    All-New Nissan MICRA EV debuts ahead of European launch
    May 28, 2025
    BMW Group and Solid Power are testing all-solid-state battery cells in a BMW i7
    May 20, 2025
    Toyota Debuts Stylish, Powerful 2026 C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle
    May 18, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge
    May 29, 2025
    Lærke Rønn, Alexia Danielsson, Rasmus Vendelbo, Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia, 2025, Porsche AG
    The schoolgirl who’s just won her debut GT race
    May 28, 2025
    Porsche with new qualifying record and ongoing points streak ahead of China
    May 28, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team looking to reinforce championship lead in Shanghai
    May 28, 2025
    Opel Mokka GSE Rally: A New Star in Electric Rallying
    May 28, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    MAN development team for autonomous driving is ‘Engineering Team of the Year’
    May 29, 2025
    Scania to start deliveries of new electric buses to northern Sweden
    May 29, 2025
    From left to right: Jens Böther, Regional Council; Nikolas Wenzel, Managing Director of MOIN; Claudia Kalisch, Mayor of Lüneburg; Alex Meier, Depot Manager; Nils Richert, Daimler Buses
    Daimler Buses builds a completely new electric bus depot for a customer for the first time
    May 28, 2025
    600 km range and superfast charging – meet Volvo’s new electric truck
    May 20, 2025
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 on a long-haul route of over 1,500 kilometers
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 
    May 18, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    GR Supra pushes performance limits with A90 Final Edition and Lightweight EVO
    May 28, 2025
    The new BMW M2 CS
    May 28, 2025
    Defender upgraded: The unstoppable 4×4 is now even more distinctive 
    May 28, 2025
    From vision to Veyron: the evolution of a Bugatti icon
    May 17, 2025
    The new Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series
    May 13, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
    Artificial intelligence: Audi boosts production efficiency
    May 28, 2025
    Greater efficiency and productivity with artificial intelligence – generative AI in BMW Group Purchasing
    May 19, 2025
    Aston Martin debuts Apple CarPlay Ultra for iPhone users
    May 16, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany can now purchase and pay for e-Vignettes directly from their vehicle
    May 15, 2025
Hot News
SEAT S.A. moves towards electric car production in Martorell
Toyota Mobility Foundation announces five finalists for $3 million Venice Sustainable Cities Challenge
43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge
Polestar 3 wins Best EV SUV and Luxury Car of the Year awards
Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
Motosport

Nissan Formula E Team secures magnificent Mexico City victory

Motosport

Points for Maserati MSG Racing at Monaco E-Prix

Latest News

LOTUS LAUNCHES CHARGING SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Latest News

GM Invests in AI and Battery Materials Innovator Mitra Chem

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Motosport

12h Sebring: Pole position and fifth place for the BMW M Hybrid V8

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: March 16, 2025 23:56
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
281 Views
10 Min Read
Share
10 Min Read
SHARE

 The anniversary weekend in Sebring (USA), celebrating the 50th birthday of BMW of North America, brought both highlights and setbacks for BMW M Motorsport. The 73rd edition of the famous Twelve Hours of Sebring marked the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC).

As at the season opener in Daytona (USA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL) in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 of the BMW M Team RLL secured the pole position. In the race itself, the #24 fell far back due to an unavoidable collision. The #25 sister car finished fifth. The new BMW M4 GT3 EVO celebrated a double podium in the GTD PRO class, with the two Paul Miller Racing cars taking second and third places. Additionally, there was a first victory for the new BMW M4 GT4 EVO in Sebring .

- Advertisement -
Ad image

From P10 on the grid, Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Robin Frijns (NED) in the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 consistently moved forward. After a final yellow phase about 45 minutes before the end, Frijns was in sixth place and managed to gain one more position in the closing minutes.

73rd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Sebring International Raceway March 12 – 15, 2025

In the pole car with number 24, Vanthoor, Philipp Eng (AUT), and Kevin Magnussen (DEN) started a comeback after a drive-through penalty and made their way back to the front of the field. However, about three hours before the end, there was a setback. The BMW M Hybrid V8 was hit on the right rear by another car after a pit stop. Magnussen initially returned to the track, but the car was so severely damaged that a lengthy repair was necessary. Only after more than an hour could the #24 crew rejoin the action and was classified twelfth in the GTP class.

The two BMW M Hybrid V8s of BMW M Team RLL have been sporting a special anniversary livery since this weekend in Sebring. Exactly 50 years ago, on 15th March 1975, BMW of North America was founded. A few days later, with the Sebring victory of the BMW 3.0 CSL, which was displayed over the weekend, came the first triumph of BMW Motorsport in North America. Jochen Neerpasch, co-founder and first CEO of BMW Motorsport GmbH, and Brian Redman (USA), Sebring winner of 1975, were also present at the anniversary weekend.

GTD PRO: Paul Miller Racing celebrates a double podium.

The BMW M4 GT3 EVO added two more podium places to its already impressive success series in its debut season. The two Paul Miller Racing cars took second and third places in the GTD PRO class. Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), and Jesse Krohn (FIN) narrowly edged out their teammates Madison Snow, Neil Verhagen, and Connor De Phillippi (all USA). In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport with the #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO finished sixth.

First victory for the new BMW M4 GT4 EVO.

Already on Friday, a two-hour race of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge was on the schedule in Sebring. The new BMW M4 GT4 EVO is also in its debut season, and the BMW M Motorsport teams made a big impression with the new customer racing car in Sebring. The team from CarBahn Racing w/ Peregrine Racing achieved the first victory for the BMW M4 GT4 EVO with drivers Sean McAlister and Jeff Westphal (both USA). Dillon Machavern and Francis Selldorff (both USA) also reached the podium with Turner Motorsport, finishing third. Just behind them, the BMW M4 GT4 EVO from Auto Technic Racing, driven by Austin Krainz (USA) and Steven McAleer (GBR), finished fourth.

Comments after the 12h Sebring:

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: “The start into the Sebring weekend was very positive with the pole position by Dries Vanthoor. Unfortunately, the race itself in the GTP category was disappointing – we have to be honest. Car number 24 managed to fight back to the front after the initial penalty but was ultimately taken out of the race by an unsafe release by a competitor. After the accident, a lengthy repair was necessary, and all chances for a good result were taken away. Car number 25 also didn’t have a completely error-free race. In the end, it managed to finish fifth, but that is obviously not what we had hoped for after the good performance of our BMW M Hybrid V8 in qualifying. However, we are now looking forward, as our cars were reliable and performed well. The double podium by Paul Miller Racing with the two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs in second and third places in the GTD PRO is definitely pleasing. It’s a great result at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and I am very happy for the whole team and the drivers. Additionally, there was a first victory to celebrate in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race for the BMW M4 GT4 EVO. Congratulations to CarBahn Racing w/ Peregrine Racing and also to Turner Motorsport for the first podium with our new GT4.”

Marco Wittmann (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL, 5th place): “It was a weekend of mixed feelings. On one hand, we were overjoyed after qualifying about the pole position for car number 24. This shows that we have a car that is extremely good in qualifying for one lap. Unfortunately, the race didn’t go as well. It looked good for a while, we worked our way back to the front and were on course for a podium. But in the end, it was ‘only’ fifth place for car number 25. That’s somewhat disappointing, as we were good in terms of speed, even though the Porsches were stronger in the end. Now, we need to make the car even faster in the race. It’s a bit of a shame because we all had higher hopes after qualifying and thought we might make it to the podium. So the conclusion is that we drivers remained error-free and ended up in fifth place.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL, 12th place): “Our weekend started perfectly. Our car had a very good balance from the beginning, and Dries’ qualifying was again great. We were also doing well in the race after a yellow phase that came at the right time. Then, unfortunately, a competitor took us out in the pit lane. That’s extremely disappointing. We had a bad day today, but we also showed with both cars that we are fast and reliable. I am sure that better days will come soon.“

Dan Harper (#48 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, 2nd place GTD PRO): “P2 for us and P3 for our sister car here in Sebring – a great result for the team. We can be delighted with the results as we also scored important points at the four and eight-hour marks for the Endurance Cup. After our bad luck in Daytona we were all a bit disappointed an knew that we need to get ourselves back up and running here. We achieved that. In the end, the winning Porsche was just a little bit too quick. Although we didn’t have a perfect race, we can be happy to spray some champagne.”

Neil Verhagen (#1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, 3rd place GTD PRO): “It’s a great way to end the Sebring 12 Hours. We feel like it’s a little bit of redemption to be on the podium here now as we think we should also have been up there in Daytona. Big thanks to all the guys at Paul Miller Racing for all the hard work that gave us the opportunity to make it onto the podium. We gave it our all und just fell a little bit short. We’ll try even harder next time.”

TAGGED:12 Hours of SebringBMW M Hybrid V8BMW M MotorsportBMW M Team RLLBMW M4 GT3 EVOBMW M4 GT4 EVOBMW North AmericaIMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Motosport

Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Porsche 963 wins at Daytona

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 29, 2024
Motosport

Lamborghini reaffirms its commitment to IMSA GTP Endurance Cup

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
December 27, 2024
Motosport

BMW M Team WRT shows strong pace in Austin with both BMW M Hybrid V8

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
September 2, 2024
Motosport

All three Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2s reach the finish of challenging Sebring 12 Hours

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 16, 2025
Motosport

ROWE Racing wins the season opener

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 9, 2024
Motosport

Lamborghini Iron Lynx set for IMSA outing of the year in Petit Le Mans season finale

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
October 9, 2024

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner