The fifth race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the narrow, unforgiving streets of Detroit proved challenging for BMW M Team RLL. Despite promising practice sessions, the team’s performance was hampered by bad luck in qualifying and race incidents, leading to a seventh-place finish for the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, driven by Philipp Eng (AUT) and Jesse Krohn (FIN). Meanwhile, the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, piloted by Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR), retired after a crash.
Qualifying Misfortune
The team’s difficulties began during Friday’s qualifying session when a red flag disrupted the laps of both Eng and Yelloly, preventing them from achieving their best times. Consequently, the #24 car started in sixth position, and the #25 car in eighth, making it challenging to gain ground on Detroit’s tight circuit.
Race Day Struggles
Early in the race, the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 received a drive-through penalty, which hindered its progress. Despite an aggressive strategy to recover positions, Eng and Krohn could only manage to finish in seventh place.
The #25 car had a promising start, advancing through the field thanks to a strategic pit stop. However, De Phillippi’s collision with the tyre barriers, followed by another impact that broke the rear suspension, forced the car to retire from the race.
GTD-PRO Class Performance
In the GTD-PRO class, the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3, driven by Madison Snow and Bryan Sellers (both USA), secured a fifth-place finish, adding some consolation to an otherwise difficult weekend for BMW.
Comments from the Team
Jesse Krohn (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, 7th place): “Unfortunately, we were never able to show the true pace of our BMW M Hybrid V8. On a street circuit like this, track position is the key to success. Unfortunately, the red flag in qualifying set us back. Then there was the drive-through penalty after the start. From the back of the GTP field, we then tried an aggressive strategy that helped a bit, but ultimately, it was not enough for more than seventh place. The improvements to the car are still visible, though. I am convinced that we will soon be getting the corresponding results.”
Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, DNF): “After the bad luck with the red flag in qualifying, we had to start from far back in the GTP field, but we made good progress and were even at the front thanks to our pit stop strategy. Unfortunately, we were not able to convert the situation into a good result. Next up is Watkins Glen, where we won last year.”
Looking Ahead
BMW M Team RLL will aim to bounce back at the upcoming race at Watkins Glen, where they achieved victory last year. The team remains optimistic about their car’s performance and is eager to demonstrate its full potential on a more favorable track.
