BMW Faced a Challenging Race with the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Watkins Glen

BMW M Team RLL faced a challenging race with the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Watkins Glen (USA).

From the start of the race weekend, it was clear that the BMW M Hybrid V8 would struggle compared to some competitors. The pace conditions were not ideal. Additionally, neither car crew drove a flawless race from starting positions six and seven. The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Marco Wittmann (GER), retired after an accident involving Wittmann. The #24 car, piloted by Philipp Eng (AUT) and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), managed to stay with the leading group in a race with numerous yellow flags but could not finish higher than eighth in a strategic poker at the end.

Comments after the race:

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: Our BMW M Hybrid V8 had to fight with blunt weapons at Watkins Glen. BMW M Team RLL and our drivers gave it their all, but unfortunately, we didn’t have the flawless race we needed to make the most of the circumstances. Now we are determined to return to our former strength at the next GTP class race in Road America.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL, 8th place): “Unfortunately, it was a frustrating race. From the start of the weekend, we knew we were going into the race with difficult conditions compared to some competitors. We simply didn’t have the necessary pace. On top of that, we didn’t have a perfect race. Especially in the final stint, there might have been some opportunities through strategy, but we didn’t make the optimal decisions.”