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Sebring. 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.
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.
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.
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.“
