BMW M and Team RLL end joint racing effort in IMSA

IMSA

Aug 1

The BMW M Hybrid V8 will continue competing in both the FIA WEC and the IMSA series in the coming years but BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL will end their joint racing effort in the IMSA series.

Both BMW M Hybrid V8 — 📷 © Luc Warnotte at Daytona: both BMW M Hybrid V8

The course is set for the future of the BMW M Hybrid V8: BMW M Motorsport is committing long-term to the Hypercar category and will continue to compete with its LMDh car in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) in the years to come. However, the joint racing effort with BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA series will come to an end after 17 years. Discussions regarding a potential collaboration with Bobby Rahal’s team in other areas are ongoing.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Sebring: BMW M Hybrid V8 #24 celebrating BMW M Motorsport 50th anniversary

Since 2023, BMW M Motorsport has been fielding the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the IMSA series and celebrated a victory with the Hypercar in its debut season at the 6-hour race in Watkins Glen (USA). The following year saw the entry of the BMW M Hybrid V8 into the FIA WEC, marking BMW M Motorsport’s return to the top class of the World Endurance Championship after 25 years. In its debut season, the BMW M Hybrid V8 secured a podium finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji (JPN). In the current season, the Hypercar has to date celebrated four pole positions and three podium finishes across both championships.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Daytona. #25 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8

BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL end racing partnership.

After 17 years, the partnership between BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA series will come to an end at the conclusion of the current season. The collaboration resulted in 24 wins and more than 100 podium finishes. The most successful years were 2010 and 2011, during which the team celebrated five GT-class titles with the BMW M3 GT. At the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona (USA), BMW M Team RLL claimed back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2020 in the GTLM category with the BMW M8 GTE. In 2020, drivers John Edwards (USA) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) also secured the GTLM title in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Sebring 2019: Both Team RLL BMW M8 GTE during 12 hours of Sebring; #24 BMW Team RLL with J. Krohn / J. Edwards / P. Eng ended fourth in GTLM class while sister #25 with T. Blomqvist / C. De Phillippi / C. Herta ended 7th, 1 lap behind the class winning Porsche #911

After 14 years in GT racing, during which the team competed with the BMW M3 GT, BMW Z4 GTLM, BMW M6 GTLM, BMW M8 GTE, and BMW M4 GT3, the step up to the top category came in 2023: the GTP class with the BMW M Hybrid V8. In its first season, car #25 achieved five podium finishes and a win at the 6-hour race in Watkins Glen. The second season saw the first 1-2 finish in Indianapolis (USA). The 2025 season began with four consecutive pole positions and podiums at Long Beach and Laguna Seca (both USA). Until the season finale at Road Atlanta (USA) in October, BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL will give everything to end their joint effort on a high note.

The future race team for the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the IMSA GTP class will be announced at a later date. Source: BMW Group

Schedule (local time = CEST -7 hours)

Friday, 1 August
14:00 – 15:30 hrs: Free practice 1

Saturday, 2 August
09:05 – 10:35 hrs: Free practice 2
16:40 – 16:55 hrs: Qualifying GTD
17:05 – 17:20 hrs: Qualifying GTD-Pro
17:55 – 18:10 hrs: Qualifying GTP

Sunday, 3 August
13:10 – 15:50 hrs: Race

BMW M and Team RLL end joint racing effort in IMSA

BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team RLL end racing partnership.

Road America: Cadillac seeks to ride momentum wave