BMW M Team RLL returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the May 14th two-hour-and-forty-minute IMSA Motul Course de Monterey race hoping the success of previous years at the iconic Northern California road course will continue with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the new GTP era.
In the thirteen years (2009-2022) that BMW M Team RLL raced BMWs in IMSA’s GT classes, the team has finished on the podium eleven times. BMW M Team RLL has scored three GT class victories (2015, 2017, and 2018), five second-place finishes (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, and 2019), and three third-place finishes (2012, 2013, and 2022) at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn Laguna Seca circuit.
This year, the team has made the switch to the GTP class with the BMW M Hybrid V8 and has scored two runner-up finishes (Sebring and Long Beach) in the first three events. That effort has BMW standing second in GTP class manufacturer points. By benefit of two second-place finishes with the No. 25 car, drivers Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly stand fourth in GTP driver points, only one point from third. Augusto Farfus and Philipp Eng stand seventh in driver points, with a season’s-best fourth-place finish (Long Beach) in the No. 24 car.
“It’s easy to show that Laguna Seca has been a great circuit for me as a driver and a team owner,” said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “I won four Indy Car races in-a-row there among many other victories. BMW M Team RLL has three GT class wins in addition to quite a few seconds and thirds. If you are lucky enough to have good fortune at a circuit it tends to stay, so, yes, I am looking forward to the new era GTP debut at Laguna Seca. If we can continue to improve the BMW M Hybrid V8 the way we have been, I am feeling optimistic about our chances.”
Connor De Phillippi, driver No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8: “WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is one of the most iconic tracks on our schedule and the first place I ever drove a race car. Returning here, now in our GTP car, is going to be very exciting and pose an entirely new challenge to us as a team. Tire degradation will be very high per usual, so there will be a lot of strategy coming into play. Our aim will be to learn something every session and fight for a victory”
Nick Yelloly, driver No. 25 BMW M Hybrid V8: “Another new bucket list circuit for me! I am really looking forward to jumping back in the car and working on improving from where we left off in Long Beach. Having watched countless races on television from Laguna Seca, driving down the corkscrew for the first time, I’m sure will be awesome”
Augusto Farfus, driver No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8: “I think the BMW M Hybrid V8 will be quite a bit of fun at Laguna Seca. It is an iconic circuit and the progress we have made with the car so far this year should continue to move us toward the top.”
2023 IMSA GT Daytona class point leaders Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow will bring the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 to Laguna Seca looking to extend their winning streak of two victories (Sebring and Long Beach). Turner Motorsport brings two GT Daytona entries, the No. 96 LIQUI-MOLY BMW of Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher and the No. 97 McIntosh BMW of Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull. Last season, Auberlen and Foley co-drove to a third place GTD finish at this event.
Source. BMW
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