BMW M Team WRT Breaks Spa Curse with Dominant WEC 1-2 Finish

BMW has finally broken its Spa-Francorchamps duck in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), with BMW M Team WRT securing a stunning one-two finish in the latest round. The historic Belgian circuit, often a challenging venue for the German manufacturer, saw the M cars finally conquer the Ardennes forest, delivering a much-needed victory.

This triumph comes after a challenging start to the season, with the team eager to make a statement on one of motorsport’s most iconic tracks.

A Hard-Fought Victory

The Spa-Francorchamps circuit, a staple of the WEC calendar, has historically been a tough nut to crack for BMW. However, BMW M Team WRT managed to overcome this ‘curse’, delivering a dominant performance that saw both their entries cross the line ahead of the competition. The team’s persistence paid off, with the BMW M Hybrid V8 cars proving to be in a class of their own on this occasion. The #20 car, driven by Robin Frijns, René Rast, and Sheldon van der Linde, took the chequered flag, closely followed by their teammates in the #15 car, piloted by Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, and Dries Vanthoor. This remarkable one-two finish not only marks a significant achievement for BMW M Motorsport in the WEC but also ends a long-standing winless streak at this demanding circuit. It also serves as a powerful statement ahead of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

BMW M Team WRT Breaks Spa Curse with Dominant WEC 1-2 Finish

Race Highlights and Key Moments

The race was a testament to the team’s relentless pursuit of success. The #15 car, driven by Kevin Magnussen, initially held a strong position, battling for the lead. However, the #20 car, with Rast and van der Linde at the helm, showed incredible pace and consistency. Sheldon van der Linde, in particular, delivered a stellar performance, managing the tyres and pace expertly. René Rast also played a crucial role, executing a flawless stint to maintain the lead. The battle between the two BMW M Hybrid V8s was intense, but ultimately, the #20 car emerged victorious. Dries Vanthoor, driving the #15 car, fought hard but couldn’t quite close the gap to his teammates. The sister car, driven by Robin Frijns, also faced challenges, including a brief moment where he had to pit due to a slow puncture, but managed to recover impressively. Kevin Magnussen, despite a strong drive, ultimately finished second in the #15 car, with Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor contributing significantly to their podium finish.

BMW M Team WRT’s Ascendancy

This victory is not just a single race win; it signifies the growing strength of BMW M Team WRT in the WEC. The team has consistently improved, demonstrating a strong development trajectory in both the Hypercar and GT3 categories. Their dedication to pushing the boundaries has resulted in a formidable package, capable of challenging for wins across different classes. The synergy between BMW M Motorsport and the WRT outfit has clearly paid dividends, with the team now a serious contender for future victories.

BMW M4 GT3 EVO’s Strong Showing

While the Hypercar class grabbed the headlines, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO also made its mark in the LMGT3 category. The #69 car, driven by Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Charles Weerts, secured a strong result, finishing on the podium. The #32 car, with Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael, and Darren Leung, also showed promise, battling through the field to achieve a respectable finish. The BMW M4 GT3 EVO continues to prove its mettle in the highly competitive GT3 arena, further solidifying BMW’s presence across the WEC grid.

Quotes

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “A one-two finish is a dream result for us, and a huge reward for the incredible hard work of everyone involved — the team at home and here at the track! This is a significant moment for BMW M Motorsport. It’s not just about this race, but about the journey and the progress we’ve made. This victory is the culmination of immense effort and dedication. We have shown that we can win at the highest level of endurance racing. It’s a fantastic achievement for the BMW M Hybrid V8, and a testament to the hard work of everyone at WRT. We have taken a big step forward, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Vincent Vosse (BMW M Team WRT Team Principal): “At this track, which has been so difficult for us in the past, we have achieved a dream result. I am incredibly proud of the team. We have worked so hard, and to see it pay off like this is unbelievable. The team has shown incredible dedication and skill. The BMW M Hybrid V8 is a fantastic car, and the team at WRT has done a phenomenal job. This is a huge step for us. We have achieved a one-two finish, and that is something truly special. The team deserves this success. We have achieved a one-two finish, and that is something truly special.”

René Rast (BMW M Team WRT, #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, Winner): “This is an incredible feeling and a fantastic result for the whole team! I think we have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this win is a huge boost for us. It’s a massive achievement for the entire team, and we have to thank BMW M Motorsport and WRT for giving us such a competitive car. I am very proud to be part of this team, and we will continue to push hard. This victory is a dream come true, and we have worked so hard for it.”

Sheldon van der Linde (BMW M Team WRT, #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, Winner): “This is an unbelievable feeling and a massive achievement for the team! The team has done an incredible job, and this victory is a testament to their hard work. It’s a huge step for us in the WEC — we have finally achieved our first win! It’s a massive achievement for the whole team. I think we have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Robin Frijns (BMW M Team WRT, #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, Winner): “It’s a fantastic feeling, and a deserved win for the team! I think we have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. It’s a massive achievement for the whole team. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Kevin Magnussen (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, 2nd): “This is a fantastic result for the team! It’s great to see us fighting at the front. BMW M Team WRT has done an amazing job. This is a huge step for BMW in the WEC — we have finally achieved a one-two finish! It’s a massive achievement for the whole team. I think we have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Raffaele Marciello (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, 2nd): “This is a great result and a testament to the team’s hard work. The team has done a phenomenal job. It’s a huge achievement for BMW. We have shown great pace and consistency. It’s a big step for us, and it’s great to see the team achieve this result. It’s a fantastic result for the whole team. We have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Dries Vanthoor (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, 2nd): “Kevin drove incredibly well! It’s a dream result for us; it’s unbelievable. The team has shown incredible dedication and skill. The BMW M Hybrid V8 is a fantastic car, and the team at WRT has done a phenomenal job. This is a huge step for us. We have achieved a one-two finish, and that is something truly special. The team deserves this success. It’s a great result for the whole team. We have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Dan Harper (Team WRT, #69 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, LMGT3 3rd): “Fantastic result, BMW has achieved a huge result here. After the start of the season, it’s incredible to see the team achieve this result. After the start of the season, it’s incredible to see the team achieve this result. It’s a huge achievement for the whole team. We have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. BMW M Motorsport and WRT have done an amazing job together. The car has been strong all weekend, and we have shown great pace. I think we have taken a big step forward this season, and this result gives us tremendous confidence for the future. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race.”

Augusto Farfus (Team WRT, #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, LMGT3 5th): “This is a great result for the team. I think we have worked very hard to achieve this first WEC victory. It’s a huge achievement for the whole team. We have proven that we are capable of fighting for wins, and that is what we aim to do in every race. It’s a great result for the whole team.”

Summary

Race Winner: BMW M Team WRT, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8
Second Place: BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8
Team Performance: BMW M Team WRT demonstrated exceptional pace and strategy, securing a dominant one-two finish.
Significance: Ends BMW’s long winless streak at Spa-Francorchamps in the WEC.
GT3 Success: BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars also performed well, with podium finishes in the LMGT3 class.