Drama Unfolds at Bathurst
Bathurst – After their remarkable 1-2 last year, the WRT team found themselves in contention again at the Bathurst 12 Hour (Australia). The trio of Augusto Farfus (BRA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Valentino Rossi (ITA) secured third place in the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO after a race full of incidents. Meanwhile, the sister car #32, adorned with a special livery, led the race during the final restart but ultimately fell to a disappointing position after a collision.
Race Highlights and Incidents
The 12-hour endurance race was marked by numerous accidents, leading to several yellow flag periods and even a prolonged interruption of about an hour. Despite these challenges, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO maintained a steady pace, staying in the lead group from the start. However, this was not enough to secure a second consecutive victory for the WRT team in Australia, following their triumph in 2025. The trio of drivers celebrated their flawless performance with a podium finish.
Setback for the #32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO
The team of car #32, consisting of Kelvin van der Linde, Jordan Pepper (both RSA), and Charles Weerts (BEL), faced disappointment after losing more than a lap early in the race due to front-end damage from a collision at the start. Despite this setback, they fought valiantly, achieving consistently solid lap times and capitalizing on several safety car periods. In a bold move during the final hour, the team opted for an early pit strategy, hoping for another yellow flag. They got what they wished for, and van der Linde found himself in the lead during the final restart. Unfortunately, a collision with Jules Gounon (FRA, Mercedes) in turn one caused significant damage, forcing them to pit again and ultimately finish in twelfth place.
A Tribute to BMW’s Heritage
The livery of car #32 paid homage to the 1989 BMW M3 Art Car designed by Australian artist Ken Done, celebrating the 50th anniversary of BMW Art Cars and the 40th anniversary of the BMW M3. Ken Done himself was present at Bathurst to admire the tribute to his work.
Impressive Debut for the KRC Team
The KRC team, led by principal Mars Kang, made a remarkable debut on the challenging Mount Panorama circuit. The trio of Max Hesse, Maxime Oosten (NED), and Ruan Cunfan (CHN) finished fifth overall and claimed second place in the Bronze class with their #89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Their solid performance included overcoming front-end damage and repairs to achieve an impressive comeback.
Team Reactions
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, WRT): “It was a spectacular race. I hope no one was seriously injured in the accidents. Fans witnessed many exciting duels. Despite some setbacks, both cars were in the top five about 40 minutes before the end, and we were leading with car #32. The collision was frustrating. Both teams delivered solid performances, and the podium for #46 is a positive result, although we were close to another victory.”
Raffaele Marciello (#46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, WRT team, 3rd place): “It was a tough race. We were never the fastest car but we gave it our all. We were close to the front but never really in sight of victory. It’s frustrating because I’ve been on the Bathurst podium many times but have never won. Nevertheless, it’s a significant podium with crucial points for the championship.”
Kelvin van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, WRT team, 12th place): “It was a tough weekend. We faced difficulties from the start. Every time we thought we were making progress, we encountered problems or incidents on track. Being in the lead 40 minutes before the end was a highlight, but we were missing that last little bit of speed needed for the win.”
Mars Kang (Team Principal, KRC): “Finishing second in class is fantastic. We didn’t expect it given the difficulty of the race. Despite an early setback after an accident, we repaired the car and executed our strategy successfully.”
Max Hesse (#89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, KRC team, 2nd place Bronze class): “It’s hard to describe everything that happened. Ruan and Maxime excelled in the first two stints. After some damage and waiting for a yellow flag, we thought we had lost our chance but we reacted well for an impressive finish.”
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