BMW M Team WRT remains on a successful path with the BMW M Hybrid V8. In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series) race on the streets of Detroit (USA), Philipp Eng and Marco Wittmann drove the #25 car to a second-place podium finish.
This marked the duo's second consecutive podium after taking third place in Laguna Seca (USA). For the team, following the celebrated 1-2 finish at the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) race in Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), this was its third success within just a few weeks.
The strategy of a late and, therefore, shorter pit stop initially lost several positions for Wittmann and Eng from fourth on the grid, but they regained them to hold second place and confidently defend it to the finish.
In contrast, Sheldon van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor in the #24 sister car were forced to make an early pit stop due to low tyre pressure and drive-through penalties following collisions on the tight street circuit.
This cost them a possible podium, with the duo finishing ninth in the end.
The GTD PRO class saw Connor De Phillippi and Neil Verhagen narrowly missing out on a podium in a turbulent final phase, settling for fourth place.
Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, praised the crew's strategy and strong pace, describing it as a 'perfectly executed race'.
However, he also acknowledged that the early pit stop for car #24 was a problem, particularly on a tight street circuit like Detroit.
The team's performance is a testament to the ongoing development of the BMW M Hybrid V8, which continues to prove its worth in the IMSA Series.
As the season heats up towards the major highlight in June, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA), BMW M Team WRT will look to build on this momentum and secure more podiums.
The BMW M Hybrid V8 continues to prove its worth in the IMSA Series, with the team's strategy playing a crucial role in their success.
