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In the final race of a turbulent debut season, the BMW M Hybrid V8 once again demonstrated its potential at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) Bahrain finale. Competing in the intense eight-hour race, the #15 car, piloted by Marco Wittmann, Raffaele Marciello, and Dries Vanthoor, contended strongly for a podium position, ultimately crossing the line in sixth. After a penalty was issued to a competitor, the #15 moved up to fifth, closing the season on a positive note despite challenging race conditions.
The #20 car, driven by René Rast, Robin Frijns, and Sheldon van der Linde, had a promising start, securing a position in the Hyperpole. The team fought fiercely from tenth place, rising to fifth early in the race. Unfortunately, an engine issue forced them to retire after nearly four hours, a disappointing setback in what could have been another top finish for the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The race was marked by a series of Full Course Yellows, Virtual Safety Cars, and tactical pit stops, creating a high-stakes environment. While #15 managed to advance into third place close to the end, the fluctuating strategies among competitors affected its final positioning. BMW M Team WRT showcased determination, continuing to build upon the car’s performance improvements throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the LMGT3 class saw BMW’s Team WRT compete with the BMW M4 GT3. Drivers Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, and Darren Leung finished in 13th place, followed by teammates Maxime Martin, Valentino Rossi, and Ahmad Al Harthy in 14th. Both cars faced stiff competition and struggled to keep pace, highlighting areas for further development in the coming season.
Reflecting on the season, BMW M Motorsport acknowledged the gains from their initial Qatar race to the Bahrain finale. With hard-fought improvements and podium finishes along the way, the team’s debut season leaves them poised for even stronger performances in the next WEC season.
