Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor finished third in the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 6 Hours of Fuji. This was the fifth podium in the sixth race of the season for BMW M Team WRT.
After qualifying was cancelled due to heavy rain, the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 started the race from 14th on the grid. The trio worked their way up the field with a flawless drive and a strong strategy. A safety car period in the final hour of the race put the team on course for a podium finish; Vanthoor ultimately secured third place.
To make it onto the podium from such an unfavourable starting position is an impressive achievement, and I am very pleased with it. We have now lost some ground in the championship, but we will keep fighting. Everything is still open.
By contrast, the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 driven by René Rast, Robin Frijns and Sheldon van der Linde had a difficult weekend. After several contacts through no fault of their own, the trio lost time and ultimately finished in 13th place. Rast and Frijns, the previous championship leaders, now lie third in the drivers’ standings. BMW M Motorsport retained second place in the manufacturers’ championship at Fuji.
In the LMGT3 category, Darren Leung and Sean Gelael laid the foundations for success in the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, starting from 14th on the grid. The final safety car period initially dropped Augusto Farfus back to sixth place. With several impressive overtakes, Farfus fought his way to the front in the closing stages, securing the second LMGT3 victory of the season for BMW M Team WRT.
In the #69 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Dan Harper, Parker Thompson and Anthony McIntosh had led at one stage, but they dropped back to sixth place following the final safety car period and an unfortunate pit stop.
In the last stint, we had another stop that didn’t go our way, but I managed to get through the traffic pretty quickly. I am extremely happy.
At the upcoming FIA WEC race in Barcelona, Marciello, Farfus and Harper will be focusing on their WEC commitments. At the season finale of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS, taking place at the same time in Portimão, Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann and Neil Verhagen will drive instead.
[1] Performance data of petrol engines apply to vehicles using RON 98 fuel. Fuel consumption data apply to vehicles using reference fuels in accordance with EU Regulation 715/2007. Unleaded RON 91 and higher with a maximum ethanol content of 10% (E10) may also be used. BMW recommends RON 95 fuel. For high-performance automobiles, BMW recommends RON 98 fuel.
Range depends on various factors, in particular: individual driving style, route characteristics, outside temperature, heating/air conditioning, pre-conditioning.
For plug-in hybrid: Electric drive depending on battery charging level.
For plug-in hybrid: At temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, the fully electric drive system is only available after a few kilometres of driving, once the battery has heated to operational temperature.
For plug-in hybrid: Composed of combustion engine drive and electric drive. Electric drive depending on battery charging level.
For models with Boost function: Temporary uprating <10 seconds in excess of specified nominal value.
The models illustrated include optional equipment. Due to regular software updates, screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.
All vehicles, equipment, combination possibilities and varieties shown here are examples and can differ in your country. In no way do they constitute a binding offer by the BMW M GmbH. Visit your local BMW website or see your authorised BMW M Retailer for accurate details on the offers in your country.
The stated values were determined in accordance with the prescribed WLTP measurement method. The actual values depend on various factors, e.g. load, driving style, route, weather, auxiliary users (including air conditioning), tires, battery state of health. For ranges, data determined as per WLTP takes into account any optional equipment (available on the German market in this case).
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