Monza. The BMW M works drivers experienced an unfortunate
second Endurance Cup round of the season in the GT World Challenge
Europe powered by AWS at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza (ITA). In a
race defined by numerous full-course yellows and accidents, Augusto
Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Jake Dennis (GBR)
finished fifth as the highest-placed BMW M Motorsport trio in the
ROWE Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Kelvin van der Linde, Jordan Pepper
(both RSA), and Charles Weerts (BEL) were for a long time on course
for victory thanks to strong strategic decisions from Team WRT, but
had to drop out of the fight for the podium shortly before the end
due to an unfortunate Full-Course Yellow at the wrong moment.

Their teammates, including local hero Valentino Rossi (ITA), also
endured a bitter race. In a chaotic opening phase, in which several
frontrunners were eliminated in a major multi-car crash, the Italian
initially gained several positions. Shortly afterwards, however, he
had to retire the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO due to a clutch failure.

The #998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of ROWE Racing initially crossed the finish
line in fourth place in the Gold Cup but benefited from a post-race
penalty imposed on a rival. As a result, Jens Klingmann, Tim Tramnitz
(both GER) and Ugo de Wilde (BEL) were retrospectively classified
third in class, securing a podium finish just as they had at the
season opener in Le Castellet (FRA).

There was also reason to celebrate for Oman Racing by Century
Motorsport: Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), Javier Sagrera (ESP), and Calan
Williams (AUS) secured third place in the Bronze Cup category with the
#42 BMW M4 GT3 EVO finishing on the class podium.

The race ended with an unfortunate incident. At the restart after a
Safety Car period shortly before the end of the three-hour race,
Kelvin van der Linde misjudged his braking point into Turn 1 and
collided with the Porsche ahead. The Porsche spun and collected
several other cars. Two of the drivers involved were subsequently
checked at the Medical Center. Following the race, the stewards issued
a penalty to van der Linde and the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, resulting in
the loss of their seventh-place finish.

 

Reactions after the race.

Kelvin van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Team WRT):
“A big apology to all the drivers involved in the accident. It was a
very unfortunate situation. I misjudged the braking into Turn 1 on the
Safety Car restart and tried to avoid contact. Unfortunately, there
was another car on my left, which meant I made contact with the
Porsche and caused it to spin. The outcome is very bad and something
no one wants to see. I am truly sorry, and I am relieved that both
drivers were okay when I saw them at the Medical Center.“

Raffaele Marciello (#98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, 5th
place): “It was a crazy race with far too many accidents.
Considering our bad luck today, finishing P5 is a good result in the
end. Even if it is not particularly meaningful, we compare quite well
to the other Pro-class cars.”

Ugo de Wilde (#998 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, ROWE Racing, 4th place Gold
Cup): “Considering we started from 46th on the grid,
finishing P25 overall was a strong recovery. It was a race with many
incidents, lots of strategic decisions and, of course, you needed a
bit of luck. In the end, it did not go our way. Still, fourth place in
the Gold Cup brings important championship points. As a team we worked
very well together and will take the lessons learned to be as well
prepared as possible for Spa.”