BMW M Hybrid V8 Finishes Fifth in São Paulo's 6-Hour Race

In a compelling display of endurance racing, the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 secured a fifth-place finish at the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) 6-hour race held in São Paulo, Brazil, on July 14, 2025. The racing team, comprised of drivers René Rast from Germany, Sheldon van der Linde from South Africa, and Marco Wittmann from Germany, showcased a strong performance throughout the event, with van der Linde executing a remarkable overtaking maneuver in the closing stages to clinch the position.

The event was particularly challenging for the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, which faced early technical setbacks leading to a 17th-place finish. The team, consisting of Kevin Magnussen from Denmark, Raffaele Marciello from Switzerland, and Dries Vanthoor from Belgium, encountered brake issues shortly after the race commenced, necessitating a 45-minute repair.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, commended the #20 team for their strong performance. "Congratulations to BMW M Team WRT and the car #20 crew on a strong weekend. Sheldon van der Linde impressed in qualifying and with his spectacular overtaking maneuver against the Peugeot at the end. It was a solid performance, and we extracted the maximum that was possible for us here," Roos stated in a post-race interview.

Sheldon van der Linde's efforts during the race were commendable, particularly as he stepped in to replace Robin Frijns, who was competing in Formula E simultaneously. Despite a drive-through penalty that slightly hindered their progress, the team maintained a competitive pace, ultimately finishing fifth.

Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, emphasized the importance of the results while expressing a desire for a podium finish in future races. "Fifth place for car #20 is the result of an almost flawless race by our team. We want to be on the podium, and we’ll need to analyze the cause of the brake issues with car #15 carefully," Vosse remarked.

In the LMGT3 class, the two BMW M4 GT3 EVO crews faced difficulties throughout the race weekend. Despite their determination and flawless execution, they finished in 10th and 12th places respectively, falling short of their goal to contend for top positions. Valentino Rossi, who drove the #46 M4 GT3 EVO, acknowledged the challenges, stating, "Of course, tenth place isn’t what we came for. We wanted more, we wanted to fight for the podium, but considering our pace and struggles in practice, it’s not bad."

The race in São Paulo illustrated the competitive nature of the FIA WEC, with various teams vying for supremacy. The BMW teams are now looking ahead to the upcoming race in Austin, Texas, where they aim to build on their performances and enhance their standings in the championship.

Overall, this race served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of endurance racing, where technical issues and competitive dynamics can significantly impact outcomes. The BMW M Motorsport team remains optimistic as they prepare for the next challenge, with hopes of achieving podium finishes and continuing to develop their hybrid racing technology.