BMW M Motorsport Faces Challenges at 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025

BMW M Motorsport encountered significant challenges during the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious event in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). The race, held on June 15, 2025, saw the two BMW M Hybrid V8 cars perform admirably for much of the competition before succumbing to technical difficulties in the final stages. Despite showing competitive pace and running in contention for a top-five finish, both vehicles ultimately crossed the finish line in 18th and 19th positions due to unresolved issues.

The event highlighted the intense demands of endurance racing, where reliability and performance are critical over extended periods. Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, expressed disappointment over the outcome, noting, "For BMW M Motorsport, the 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was very tough in the end. We had four cars that were all very competitive throughout the whole week. In qualifying and also in race pace we were able to fight for good results. However, on three cars we had technical issues, and even bad luck with the fourth one hitting a rabbit at night."

The BMW M Hybrid V8 cars initially qualified for Hyperpole 2, starting the race from fourth and sixth positions. For the first 22 hours, they maintained a strong performance, only experiencing a drive-through penalty for car #20. However, in the last two hours, both vehicles faced serious technical problems. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello, and Dries Vanthoor, suffered a cooling issue, while the sister car encountered an engine problem.

Additionally, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, which had led the LMGT3 class, also faced setbacks. The vehicle, driven by Kelvin van der Linde, Valentino Rossi, and Ahmad Al Harthy, was forced to retire due to an electrical failure that impacted the power steering during the night, ultimately leading to a crash into the gravel trap.

In contrast, the #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from The Bend Team WRT, driven by Augusto Farfus, Timur Boguslavskiy, and Yasser Shahin, faced misfortune after colliding with a rabbit on the track, resulting in severe damage that necessitated retirement.

Following the race, BMW M Motorsport is refocusing its efforts on upcoming endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Roos stated, "We collected a lot of data and will work hard to come back and be on the podium next time."

Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, expressed similar sentiments, remarking on the hard work that went into preparation for the race and the bittersweet nature of the outcome. “It’s a disappointing end to the weekend. It looked quite good, but we hit some issues two hours from the end,” Vosse said.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, known for its rigorous demands on both drivers and vehicles, continues to be a defining event for teams in the endurance racing calendar. As BMW M Motorsport prepares for future competitions, the lessons learned from this year’s race will be invaluable in their pursuit of success on the track.