BMW Backs Up Strong Form at Fuji as M4 GT3 EVO Secures Another Podium, Hybrid V8 Cracks Top Ten

Fuji, Japan — 28 September 2025

BMW Motorsport added another podium to its FIA WEC campaign over the weekend, as the BMW M4 GT3 EVO delivered a third-place finish at Fuji International Speedway. In the Hypercar class, the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 battled its way to ninth, while its sister car (#15) was forced to retire following contact.

Starting from 14th on the grid, the #31 M4 GT3 EVO — campaigned by The Bend Team WRT and piloted by Augusto Farfus, Timur Boguslavskiy, and Yasser Shahin — mounted an impressive recovery drive to secure third place. Their factory-supported sister car, #46, followed close behind to finish fourth, having also started deep in the grid after a difficult qualifying. The pair’s result underlines BMW’s growing strength in the GT3 ranks and extends the momentum built earlier in the season.

In the Hypercar division, BMW’s weekend was more challenging. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 encountered bad luck early on. Kevin Magnussen was spun in a collision, and later Raffaele Marciello hit the barrier while trying to avoid a slowing competitor — ending the car’s race prematurely. The #20 car, driven by Sheldon van der Linde, René Rast, and Robin Frijns, showed glimpses of promise. After qualifying fifth, it fought through the field but was hampered by a drive-through penalty and by lacking outright pace. It eventually finished ninth.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, acknowledged the tough outing: “We lacked that final bit of pace… I feel sorry for the #15 crew who were involved in two collisions through no fault of their own.”

From the GT3 side, the drivers were upbeat. Farfus described the podium as “very rewarding,” particularly given the recovery required. Boguslavskiy admitted he didn’t consider third place likely, but praised the team’s execution. Shahin echoed those emotions, noting the result exceeded expectations.

On the Hypercar side, Frijns noted an overperforming qualifying lap by van der Linde, but said the race pace just wasn’t there. Marciello, reflecting on the crash, expressed frustration and said he looked forward to understanding the incident better.

BMW’s team leadership also weighed in. Roos emphasised that while the Hypercar result was disappointing, the GT3 success was “a result of fantastic team performances.” Vincent Vosse (BMW M Team WRT) similarly noted that while the #20 car’s result was below target, the LMGT3 efforts — securing third and fourth — were a testament to strong teamwork.

With one round remaining in the FIA WEC season, BMW aims to consolidate its results and extract more from its Hypercar package. Roos said the goal is to “deliver a strong season finale in Bahrain with all our cars.” If they can replicate the GT3 turnaround and unlock higher performance in Hypercar, BMW could close the year on a high.

Source: BMW