The race, known as the “Battle on the Bricks”, which had a duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes, and represented a historic moment for BMW M Team WRT, which competes for the first time this season in the category GTP IMSA.
First victory of the BMW M Team WRT in IMSA
After achieving three more podiums during his debut season, the BMW M Hybrid V8 number 24 finally made his competitive pace in a victory. Dries Vanthoor he started from third position of the grill and kept the team in the fight for the first positions during the first part of the race.
Sheldon van der Linde subsequently took control of the BMW M Hybrid V8, and starred in the decisive moment of the test. A few minutes from the end, the pilot, south african made an overtaking maneuver that allowed him to take the lead and hold the position until you cross the checkered flag.
With this result, Van der Linde has also obtained its first victory in the championship IMSA. For Vanthoor, the trump meant by his second victory in IMSA, after that obtained in 2025, together with Philipp Eng at Road America.
The BMW M Hybrid V8 # 25 ends tenth
The day was less favorable for the second BMW M Hybrid V8 BMW M Team WRT. The number 25, driven by Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann, had a difficult race and finished in the tenth position of the category GTP.
Wittmann lost control of his car during an attempt of overtaking and ended up involved in an incident that resulted in a penalty of step-by-boxes. The German pilot assumed the responsibility for the contact, and offered his apologies to the affected computer.
Despite the result, the triumph of the BMW M Hybrid V8 number 24 allowed BMW M Team WRT close a weekend especially significant in his first season within the top category of IMSA.
Turner Motorsport also celebrated with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO
The day in Indianapolis also had another outstanding result for BMW M Motorsport. Turner Motorsport won the victory in the category of GTD with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO number 96, piloted by Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher.
The triumph ended a wait of more than two years for Turner Motorsport and had an important consequence in the fight for the championship. Thanks to the victory, Foley and Gallagher were placed at the front of the general classification of GTD before the last race of the season.
In GTD PRO, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO number 1 of Paul Miller Racing was also in the fight for the podium during a good part of the competition. However, a series of incidents in the last few laps forced to Neil Verhagen and Connor De Phillippi, and to comply with the sixth position.
The result caused the team to lose the lead in the general classification of GTD PRO, although the championship yet to be decided in the last race of the season.
The season of IMSA will be decided at Road Atlanta
With the running of the Indianapolis already disputed, BMW M Motorsport prepares for the end of the season at Road Atlanta, where it is held Petit Le Mans.
For BMW M Team WRT, the victory of the BMW M Hybrid V8 represents the confirmation of the progress shown during his first season in IMSA. The team will look to close the year with another outstanding result, while Turner Motorsport, and Paul Miller Racing will face the last race with a chance of fighting for the respective championships of their categories.
The triumph in Indianapolis and mark an important moment for the program of the BMW M Hybrid V8 in north America, and adds a new victory for BMW M Motorsport on an international season marked by prominent results in different championships.
Source: BMW Group