In a race stuffed with drama, technique, and nail-biting finishes, BMW M Crew WRT delivered a standout efficiency within the second spherical of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Imola. A terrific racing technique took the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 from thirteenth on the grid to a spectacular second-place end, whereas the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO narrowly missed out on victory in LMGT3, settling for second.
Hypercar Heroics: From Harm to Podium
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari hosted a chaotic and charming “6 Hours of Imola,” the place racecraft and pitwall precision formed the result. The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, pushed by Robin Frijns, René Rast, and Sheldon van der Linde, confronted adversity early. A collision involving Rast, deemed a racing incident, severely broken the automobile’s rear wing. The WRT crew executed a full rear part substitute in the course of the pit cease in file time, minimizing the setback.
Regardless of the incident, BMW’s tempo steadily improved, and a daring determination to short-fuel in the course of the penultimate cease paid off. Van der Linde unleashed a sequence of qualifying-speed laps to construct a buffer, enabling the group to regain monitor place throughout others’ last stops. The technique elevated them to P2 by the end, simply 8.4 seconds behind the profitable #51 Ferrari 499P of James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi.
BMW’s second entry, the #15 M Hybrid V8 shared by Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, and Dries Vanthoor, began sturdy from third on the grid. It held that place till the ultimate hour, however a drop in efficiency noticed them fade to sixth by the checkered flag.
LMGT3: Rossi’s Heartbreaker, Van der Linde’s Cost
Within the LMGT3 class, BMW was once more within the thick of the motion. The #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, piloted by Ahmad Al Harthy, Valentino Rossi, and Kelvin van der Linde, began from pole and led for vital parts of the race. Al Harthy delivered a flawless opening stint, and Rossi dazzled in entrance of his residence crowd with assured, aggressive driving. Nonetheless, an tried overtake on the #21 Ferrari led to contact and a expensive stop-go penalty for WRT.
Undeterred, van der Linde launched a surprising comeback within the closing phases. In a last stint, he chased down the main #92 Manthey EMA Porsche and pressured Richard Lietz all the best way to the end line. The margin? Simply 0.3 seconds—one of many tightest finishes in WEC LMGT3 historical past. In the meantime, the sister #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which scored a podium in Qatar, had a irritating race marred by incidents and penalties, finally ending in twelfth place.
Ferrari Victorious on Dwelling Soil, Alpine Completes Podium
Whereas BMW celebrated a hard-fought podium, it was Ferrari’s day at residence. The #51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P claimed its first win since Le Mans 2023, holding off late challenges due to sharp technique and robust tyre administration within the last hours. Alpine, operating the A424 with Jules Gounon, Mick Schumacher, and Frédéric Makowiecki, completed third—marking their greatest WEC end result but and finishing a various, multi-manufacturer podium.
