TGR StaffBMW M Motorsport closed out the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a bittersweet finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The highlight: a commanding victory for Paul Miller Racing in the #48 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, capping an extraordinary debut season for Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Connor De Phillippi.
A Flawless Drive and a Championship Clinched
Harper, Hesse, and De Phillippi delivered a near-perfect performance in the grueling ten-hour Petit Le Mans, leading most of the GTD PRO race and crossing the line with a comfortable margin. The win secured the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup for Harper and Hesse, an impressive feat in their first IMSA season.
The victory was built on consistency: Harper claimed pole position for the second race in a row, and the trio kept the BMW M4 GT3 EVO unscathed through the chaos of mixed-class traffic and faster prototypes. “The car doesn’t have a scratch,” Harper said post-race. “That’s incredibly important in a long-distance race like this. Ending the season with a win and the Endurance Cup title feels amazing.”
Hesse echoed his teammate’s sentiments, calling the result “incredible” and noting how special it was to win one of endurance racing’s toughest events on their first attempt.
BMW M Team RLL’s Emotional Farewell
While Paul Miller Racing celebrated, BMW M Team RLL faced heartbreak in its farewell appearance with the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype. After 17 years, 25 victories, and over 100 podiums, the team’s collaboration with BMW M Motorsport came to an emotional end at Road Atlanta.
The #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor, and Kevin Magnussen, was running strong in fourth place when a puncture struck with just ten minutes left, dropping them to ninth. The sister #25 entry, piloted by Sheldon van der Linde, Marco Wittmann, and Robin Frijns, struggled with two drive-through penalties and finished eleventh.
“It’s unbelievable we suffered a puncture so close to the finish,” Eng said. “It cost us a podium and second in the drivers’ standings. Still, I’m thankful for eight great years with BMW M Team RLL. This farewell is emotional.”
Sheldon van der Linde summed up the team’s season candidly: “A tough end to a tough year. We had potential but couldn’t put it all together. Hopefully, 2026 brings stronger results.”
Starting next season, BMW M Team WRT will take over GTP operations, marking a new era for the brand’s prototype program.
BMW Motorsport Reflects on a Season of Highs and Lows
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, praised the customer team’s flawless performance while acknowledging the challenges faced in GTP. “Congratulations to Paul Miller Racing, Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Connor De Phillippi on their fantastic victory,” he said. “It was a perfect race. Unfortunately, the results in GTP don’t reflect our true performance. The BMW M Hybrid V8 had the pace for much better results. I want to thank BMW M Team RLL for their dedication and wish them all the best for the future.”
Turner Motorsport also carried the BMW banner in GTD, finishing eighth with Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, and Jake Walker in the #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
A Statement Season for BMW M4 GT3 EVO
From pole position to podium domination, the BMW M4 GT3 EVO proved itself as one of the most competitive GTD PRO entries of 2025. Its reliability, pace, and precision at Petit Le Mans underscored BMW’s continued evolution in endurance racing.
As Paul Miller Racing celebrates its victory and BMW M Motorsport transitions into a new era with WRT, the message is clear: the BMW M4 GT3 EVO has firmly established itself as a GT powerhouse, and its future looks as strong as its finish at Road Atlanta.
Photos Courtesy of BMW
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