BMW M Team RLL displayed strong pace at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship six-hour race in Indianapolis, but a late fuel-saving strategy denied them a podium finish. The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 of Marco Wittmann (GER) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) stormed from seventh on the grid to second, only to drop back to sixth in the final stages.
The sister car, the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 driven by Philipp Eng (AUT) and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), suffered a setback early with a drive-through penalty. Despite the handicap, they fought back to finish fourth, salvaging valuable championship points in a race punctuated by multiple full-course yellows.
Paul Miller Racing Delivers GTD-PRO Podium
In the GTD-PRO class, Paul Miller Racing celebrated a standout weekend with the #48 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Dan Harper (GBR) secured his first career GTD-PRO pole position before he and Max Hesse (GER) converted it into a hard-fought third-place finish. The result marked the team’s third podium of the season and kept them firmly in the Endurance Cup title fight.
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Their teammates Neil Verhagen, Madison Snow, and Connor De Phillippi also impressed in the #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. After climbing from ninth on the grid to lead the GTD-PRO class at the halfway mark, the trio ultimately finished eighth, but not before collecting crucial Endurance Cup points.
Strong Showings in GTD
Turner Motorsport also made gains in the GTD category. Starting 14th, Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, and Jake Walker pushed their #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO up the order to finish a close fourth, narrowly missing the podium.
Looking Ahead
BMW M Motorsport chief Andreas Roos praised the overall performance but admitted the team deserved more from the weekend:
“After the 1-2 at Road America, we showed strong performance again in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, Marco and Sheldon’s comeback wasn’t rewarded with the podium. Still, fourth for Philipp and Dries brings key championship points, and Paul Miller Racing had a fantastic weekend with pole and a podium. Now, we’re fully focused on the season finale at Petit Le Mans.”
With the final race at Road Atlanta looming, BMW teams remain in contention across multiple classes, aiming to close the season on a high note.
