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BMW M Team RLL delivered a masterful strategy at Road America, securing a 1-2 finish in the GTP class during the 2025 Motul SportsCar Grand Prix.
It was the team’s first win of the season and a statement of intent, combining incredible strategic decisions, disciplined driving, and timely execution to outfox the rest of the field.
Bold strategy sets stage
With exactly one hour remaining in the two-hour, 40-minute sprint race, Team RLL rolled the dice. Both the #24 and #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 entries were brought into the pits for their final stops under green-flag conditions. It was a calculated risk, as the majority of GTP teams were aiming to stop later in the stint, likely hoping for a caution to compress the field.
That caution came sooner than expected.
James Jackson
Race-changing caution reshuffles the field
Just seven minutes after Team RLL completed its pit stops, the race was neutralised by the fifth and final full-course yellow of the day, triggered by an incident involving the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac and the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport entry. This pivotal yellow flag would go on to define the outcome of the race.
BMW benefits while rivals falter
While the BMWs stayed out under caution, having already fulfilled their pit obligations, their rivals weren’t so fortunate. The remaining nine GTP cars were forced to pit under yellow to make their final stops – an unavoidable delay that cost them valuable track position. Many lost close to a full lap in the shuffle, essentially clearing the path for BMW to seize control of the race.
Inheriting the lead and keeping it
When the race resumed under green, Philipp Eng in the #24 and Marco Wittmann in the #25 emerged at the head of the field. The advantage gained from BMW’s early pit call had turned into outright control, and the two cars now had clear track and track position on their side.
The final 37 minutes were run under green, during which Eng and Wittmann managed traffic expertly and conserved energy while keeping a watchful eye on the competition. Neither driver put a wheel wrong.
James Jackson
Drivers deliver under pressure
Eng, who took over from co-driver Dries Vanthoor, guided the #24 BMW to the checkered flag, earning his second career GTP victory and Vanthoor’s first. The sister #25 machine, shared by Sheldon van der Linde and Wittmann, completed the sweep for BMW in second place.
Both crews managed the restart flawlessly, showing remarkable composure in navigating slower traffic and defending their positions. The performance was a reflection of the drivers’ precision and the team’s trust in their race plan.
A tactical triumph
Philipp Eng called the race a 'strategic masterclass', and few could argue. Through pitting early, with no yellow in sight, BMW took advantage of the fortunate timing of the ensuing caution, put them in position to capitalize when others could not.
The win marked a high point in a season that had seen flashes of potential but no GTP victories until now. With four pole positions under their belt earlier in the year, the team had shown speed. At Road America, they proved they had the strategy and execution to match.
BMW’s 1-2 finish wasn’t just a victory—it was a message. The question remains, was this win a day late and a dollar short? With BMW leaving Team RLL next season, there still remains a lot of unknowns.
Feature image: BMW M Team RLL
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