DETROIT DELIVERS, MONZA FRUSTRATES A WEEKEND OF CONTRASTS FOR TEAM WRT

While WRT's American division secured yet another IMSA podium on the streets of Detroit with Marco Wittmann and Philipp Eng’s
BMW M Hybrid V8, the GT World Challenge Europe race in Monza left a tough, bittersweet feeling, with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO appearing to be at a disadvantage compared to its main competitors around the high-speed Italian circuit. Team WRT had put together a masterful strategy to win, but a late neutralisation with 20 minutes to go wiped out everything the #32 and #30 had
worked for. The #46 added to the frustration with an early retirement while the car was running in fourth place.

P2 IN THE STREETS OF DETROIT FOR MARCO AND PHILIPP

BMW M Team WRT kept its podium streak alive with the BMW M Hybrid V8, as Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann claimed second place in Detroit, securing a third consecutive podium for the Hypercar programme following a P3 at Laguna Seca and a 1–2 finish at Spa
Francorchamps in the FIA WEC. Starting fourth, the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 lost time at the start but adapted its strategy by focusing on fuel saving throughout the race. This allowed the team to extend the first stint and make a shorter pit stop than its rivals thanks to reduced refuelling time. The strategy paid off, putting the car firmly back in contention for a podium finish.

The #24 of Sheldon van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor had the pace to fight for a strong result, but an early stop due to low tyre pressure
dropped them to the back of the grid. Ultimately, two drive-through penalties for contacts on the narrow streets of Detroit denied Dries
Vanthoor and Sheldon van der Linde a third-place finish.

MONZA STEALS WRT'S STRATEGIC MASTERPIECE
A heatwave and relentless chaos defined the second GT World Challenge Europe Endurance round at Monza. A massive incident at Turn 1 on the opening lap set the tone for a turbulent afternoon, reshaping the race from the very first corner and opening the door for strategic creativity - a door WRT walked straight through.
In Pro Cup, the race took an early blow when a broken clutch forced the BMW M4 GT3 EVO #46 to retire after just 15 minutes - cruel timing for Valentino Rossi, who had skilfully avoided the opening-lap carnage and worked his way into the top five. The #32 of Charles Weerts, Jordan Pepper and Kelvin van der Linde responded with a tactical masterclass, working their way to the virtual lead with 20 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, a late Safety Car wiped out an advantage built over three hours of racing, cruelly denying them a well-deserved victory. An incident involving Kelvin in the final minutes of the race ultimately sealed the Belgian team’s fate, dropping them down to P30. In Silver Cup, Matisse Lismont, Amaury Cordeel and Ignacio Montenegro told a near-identical story, delivering a strong and composed performance that, on another day, would have been rewarded with a podium despite starting 41st on the grid, penultimate in their class. Ultimately, they finished P6 in class.

NEXT STOP: LE MANS!

BMW M Team WRT now heads into one of the busiest race weeks of its 2026 calendar, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans getting underway
Friday the 5 of June, with the traditional Pesage in the city centre. The two BMW M Hybrid V8s and the two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs are ready for the ultimate 24-hour challenge.