Valentino Rossi perfectly encapsulated the elation felt by the entire BMW M Team WRT family after an exhilarating weekend at the 6 Hours of Fuji, declaring, “we are so happy!” This sentiment marked a significant moment for the German-Belgian squad, as they celebrated their first podium finish in the Hypercar division during the penultimate round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The #15 car not only marked a milestone in its debut season, but the #46 LMGT3 car, featuring Rossi himself, also secured a commendable third-place finish.
The weekend kicked off on a promising note for BMW. Dries Vanthoor showcased exceptional speed during qualifying, securing a third-place spot for the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8—its best qualifying result to date. This strategic position allowed the team to avoid a chaotic multi-car incident at the start of the race. In contrast, the #20 car, driven by René Rast, faced unfortunate luck when debris forced them into an early pit stop, eliminating their chances of competing further. Meanwhile, the #15 car delivered a thrilling performance, battling fiercely against renowned competitors like Toyota Gazoo Racing and finishing in a commendable second place, just behind the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport, the championship leaders.
In the LMGT3 category, the situation was more challenging for the BMW M4 cars, which struggled during qualifying. However, Valentino Rossi shone brightly, executing an incredible ascent through the ranks by gaining five positions in just two laps. His efforts, combined with the stellar contributions from teammates Ahmed Al Harthy and Maxime Martin, propelled the #46 car to its second podium finish of the season.
Rossi expressed his joy, stating, “We are so happy! After our DNF in Austin just two weeks ago, this race felt incredibly rewarding. Our teamwork and strategy were spot on, leading to a successful outcome.” The excitement was palpable among the drivers of the #15 car as well, with Vanthoor celebrating their historic achievement. “This is a fantastic milestone for BMW M Motorsport in FIA WEC. Given our starting point this season, reaching the podium feels like tremendous progress.”
Marco Wittmann echoed this sentiment, highlighting the consistent performance exhibited throughout the weekend. “Achieving our first WEC podium is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved. The dedication and hard work of the team truly shone through in practice, qualifying, and the race itself,” he said, expressing immense pride in their accomplishment. Raffaele Marciello added that the podium finish is a testament to their growth throughout the season, emphasizing the importance of competitive performance over just finishing in the top three.
With just one race remaining in what has been an exciting WEC season, BMW is poised for a strong showing at the upcoming 8 Hours of Bahrain. The team is eager to capitalize on their recent momentum and contend for their first victory of the season, building on the exhilarating experiences gained at Fuji.