24h Le Mans: BMW M Team WRT clinches BMW M Motorsport’s first overall podium since 1999 with a thrilling second-place finish

The 24 Hours of Le Mans delivered a historic moment for BMW M Motorsport as BMW M Team WRT secured the brand’s first overall podium at the legendary endurance race since 1999. Driving the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) finished in second place, just 10.9 seconds behind the winning Toyota. The race was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with the #20 crew leading early before a late safety car bunched the field and set up a dramatic finale. The BMW M Hybrid V8’s performance was near-flawless, with no penalties or pit-stop errors, but Toyota’s pace proved decisive in the closing stages. BMW M Team WRT also celebrated pole position for the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), marking the first pole for BMW M Motorsport at Le Mans. However, the #15 car retired early due to a collision, puncture, and subsequent technical failure. In the LMGT3 class, the two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs struggled to match the pace of the frontrunners. Augusto Farfus (BRA), Sean Gelael (INA), and Darren Leung (GBR) finished seventh, while Dan Harper (GBR), Parker Thompson (CAN), and Anthony McIntosh (USA) retired with gearbox issues. Post-race reactions were euphoric, with BMW M GmbH CEO Franciscus van Meel calling the result “incredibly emotional” and Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, hailing it as a “magnificent and historic” achievement. Team Principal Vincent Vosse praised the flawless execution of the #20 car’s strategy and pit stops, though he admitted disappointment in the LMGT3 class performance. Drivers Frijns and Rast echoed the sentiment, with Frijns admitting the near-victory stung despite the podium finish. The weekend also saw the world premiere of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse, adding to the significance of BMW’s strong Le Mans return.