In an electrifying Top Qualifying session at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Max Hesse (GER) of BMW M Team RMG clinched pole position for the 24h Nürburgring, making history as the youngest driver to win the Glickenhaus Trophy for pole position. The 22-year-old’s remarkable lap time of 8:10.992 minutes in the #72 BMW M4 GT3, adorned in BMW M Motorsport Premium Technology Partner Shell’s design, secured the coveted starting position.
Youngest Pole Winner in History
Hesse, sharing the cockpit with fellow Gen2K members Dan Harper (GBR) and Charles Weerts (BEL), showcased exceptional skill and composure, etching his name into the records as the youngest pole winner for the 24h Nürburgring. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Hesse’s career and underscores the potential of BMW M’s new generation of works drivers.
ROWE Racing’s Strong Qualifying Performance
The #99 BMW M4 GT3 from ROWE Racing, piloted by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Robin Frijns (NED), and Augusto Farfus (BRA), secured a strong seventh-place starting position. Meanwhile, the sister car #98, driven by a team including Farfus, Marco Wittmann (GER), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Maxime Martin (BEL), will start the race from 21st place.
Top Qualifying Sessions Recap
In the first part of Top Qualifying, a total of 14 cars competed, including three BMW M4 GT3s, aiming for the final five spots in Top Qualifying 2. Sheldon van der Linde led for a considerable period in the #99 BMW M4 GT3 with a best time of 8:11.716 minutes, eventually finishing second. Harper followed closely in the #72 with a time of 8:12.070 minutes, securing third place, while Farfus in the #98 BMW M4 GT3 took ninth with a time of 8:14.696 minutes.
During Top Qualifying 2, Hesse’s stellar performance on his first flying lap secured the pole position, while Farfus in the #99 BMW M4 GT3 ensured a respectable seventh-place start with a time of 8:12.127 minutes.
Official Comments
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: “Securing pole position in Top Qualifying is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to BMW M Team RMG and Max Hesse. This is the best starting position for the 24-hour race, and the #99 BMW M4 GT3 also has a strong starting position. Although car #98 starts further back, last year showed that anything is possible.”
Max Hesse (#72 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team RMG): “I am super happy about the pole position. Five years of hard work at the Nordschleife have paid off with my first pole position at the 24-hour race. Thanks to everyone in the team for their efforts. We are focused on the race and will continue to work hard.”
Augusto Farfus (#98 & #99 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing): “In TQ1, I couldn’t get a good run in car #98. However, the #99 run was good. Congratulations to Max for securing pole. The BMW M4 GT3s have shown strong performance, and we aim to keep this momentum.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#99 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing): “It’s an honor to drive this track without traffic. This was my third Top Qualifying, and it was a lot of fun. Conditions were challenging, but we managed well. I’m happy to have gotten our car into TQ2.”
Dan Harper (#72 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team RMG): “It was great fun to get a clear lap on the Nordschleife and advance to Top Qualifying 2. We were confident, given our speed in previous sessions, and it’s fantastic to secure this result.”
