- The BMW M Hybrid V8 and the BMW M4 GT3 EVO perform well for a long time but then suffer technical issues
- BMW M Team WRT was on course for a top-five finish in the Hypercar class for much of the race but experienced a frustrating final stage
- The #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO leads the race in the LMGT3 category but retires during the night due to a technical failure
BMW M Motorsport experienced just how relentless the legendary endurance classic can be during the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA). The two BMW M Hybrid V8 cars demonstrated strong pace, as they have throughout the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) season, and were in contention for a top-five result for much of the race. However, a frustrating final stage saw both cars suffer technical issues. While they managed to finish the race, they did not achieve the positions they deserved. The BMW M4 GT3 EVO led the LMGT3 class for many hours, but both cars retired during the night.
The two BMW M Team WRT Hypercars reached Hyperpole 2 in qualifying and started the race from fourth and sixth positions. Over the first 22 hours, they ran without major issues, apart from a drive-through penalty for car #20, and consistently hovered around fifth place. However, technical problems in the final hours dashed their hopes for top results. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), suffered a cooling issue with the hybrid system. Meanwhile, the sister car, driven by Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), encountered an engine problem. Both cars crossed the finish line after repairs but were classified only in 18th and 19th positions.
In the LMGT3 class, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, driven by Kelvin van der Linde (RSA), Valentino Rossi (ITA), and Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), shone in qualifying with fastest laps set by Al Harthy and van der Linde, as well as a third-place starting position secured by Rossi in Hyperpole 2. During the race, the car led for long stretches thanks to consistent performances by the drivers and excellent work by Team WRT. However, around 3 a.m., the car retired due to an as-yet-unknown electrical issue, which caused the power steering to fail and van der Linde to roll straight into the gravel trap. Although he managed to return to the pits after some time, the team decided to retire the car for safety reasons. The #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from The Bend Team WRT, driven by Augusto Farfus (BRA), Timur Boguslavskiy, and Yasser Shahin (AUS), steadily moved up from 16th on the grid and was already in the top-eight when it hit a rabbit on track. The collision caused severe damage to the radiator and other components, making repairs impossible.
Following the disappointing results at Le Mans, BMW M Motorsport now turns its attention to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (GER) next weekend, followed by the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) a week later. BMW M factory drivers Farfus, Marciello, and Kelvin van der Linde face the unique challenge of competing in all three endurance classics. Meanwhile, Sheldon van der Linde and Vanthoor will travel to the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen (USA) in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where they will share the two BMW M Hybrid V8 cars from BMW M Team RLL with Philipp Eng (AUT) and Marco Wittmann (GER). From the U.S., the driver quartet will head directly to Spa-Francorchamps.
Comments after the 24h Le Mans:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “For BMW M Motorsport, the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was very tough in the end. We had four cars that were all very competitive throughout the whole week. In qualifying and also in race pace we were able to fight for good results. On three cars we had technical issues unfortunately, and then even bad luck with the fourth one hitting a rabbit at night. It’s a tough one to swallow, but we also have to take the positives. We had very competitive cars in both classes. A big thank you to the entire crew, who have been continuously working on development since last year. However, in the end, we want to be on the podium, and we didn’t achieve that this time. We collected a lot of data and will work hard to come back and be on the podium next time.”
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT): “It’s a disappointing end of the weekend. It looked quite good, but we hit some issues two hours from the end and had to do some work on both Hypercars. I’m feeling very sorry for all the guys who have put so much effort in the preparation for this race in the last twelve months. But this is what motorsport is made of. That’s why we like it. We want to hit back as soon as possible. In LMGT3 it looked very good. We had a good car, good strategy, good drivers. But unfortunately we had an electrical issue with car #46 and a poor little rabbit being hit by our #31. That accident caused a broken radiator that we couldn’t repair.”
Robin Frijns (BMW M Team WRT, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, 18th place): “Le Mans done. Actually the race started pretty well. We were expecting the Ferraris to be quick, which they were from the start. The Porsche #6 came to the front very early in the race. I think we were good enough for P5 today but we had a drive through penalty during the night which was very painful. We tried to recover from it from then but we actually never did. In the end we had an engine issue which brought us back about 20 laps. Onto the next one.”
Raffaele Marciello (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, 19th place): “For sure not the weekend we wanted. It’s very dissapointing – not only for us but also for car #20. We need to make some changes after the last two disappointing Le Mans races for the future in order to improve. Hopefully the 24h Nürburgring will be a good one. We try our best.”
Augusto Farfus (The Bend Team WRT, #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, DNF): “It was a tough Le Mans. They say you can’t win Le Mans; Le Mans chooses its winners. That definitely applies to us. Maybe we couldn’t have won, but I think we would have had a chance to fight for the podium, just like last year. Team WRT did a fantastic job, and it’s very unfortunate that we couldn’t bring either of our cars to the finish. The good thing for me is that I have three 24-hour races in a row, so next week at the Nürburgring, I have the chance to achieve a top result. From now on, that’s where the focus lies.”
Kelvin van der Linde (Team WRT, #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, DNF): “The incident was very strange. Suddenly, the car shut down, and with it, the power steering failed, leaving me no option but to go straight through the gravel trap. Luckily, there was a large run-off area at that part of the track. The retirement is extremely disappointing because we led the race for many hours. Although we didn’t have the fastest car, we would have had good chances due to our consistency. Unfortunately, that’s part of motorsport. Next week at the Nürburgring, we have the next opportunity.”
