The BMW M Team RLL is gearing up for the penultimate round of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which will take place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also known as ‘The Brickyard’ from 15th to 17th September. The team’s goal is to secure a podium finish with their new BMW M Hybrid V8 at the Indianapolis race. The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, which has already claimed victories at Watkins Glen and podium finishes at Sebring, Long Beach, and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, will be driven by Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly. Meanwhile, Augusto Farfus and Philipp Eng will share driving duties in the #24 car.
Recently, the team conducted a two-day test at the Speedway with drivers De Phillippi, Colton Herta, and Jesse Krohn. The test concluded with the #25 and #24 BMW M Hybrid V8s topping the timing sheets. Eng, Farfus, and Yelloly also completed ‘Driver In Loop’ tests to further enhance the team’s race performance at Indianapolis.
It is worth noting that the BMW Team RLL has a history at ‘The Brickyard’. Team Principal Bobby Rahal, for instance, won the Indy 500 in 1986. Additionally, De Phillippi and Farfus emerged victorious in the 8 Hour Intercontinental GT Challenge race at Indy in 2020, driving a Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 alongside Nick Catsburg. Yelloly also secured a second-place finish in the team’s sister BMW, co-driving with David Pittard and Marco Wittmann.
In the GT Daytona class, BMW M4 GT3s will be competing. Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow, who have already clinched five victories this season, lead the GTD class points with the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3. Turner Motorsport will also field two BMW M4 GT3s, driven by Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher, as well as Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull.
The race at Indianapolis, which lasts for two hours and forty minutes, will commence on Sunday, 17th September at 12:10 local time.
Here are some quotes from key figures ahead of the Road America race:
Bobby Rahal, BMW M Team RLL Team Principal: “Indy is an iconic place. We tested there recently and it went very well. As is every IMSA race we go to, it will be a tough fight. If we have the pace at Indy as we did at other fast circuits like Watkins Glen, I have every reason to believe we’ll have a good weekend.”
Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “The Speedway is always a special place to race, and I’m aiming to continue the success I’ve had there. Last month, we had a productive test, and the BMW M Hybrid V8 has undergone testing in Europe, which has been valuable. I’m excited to be back on track after the summer break to continue chasing race wins.”
Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “I was not there for the GTP test, but I understand it went very well. I hope we can hit the ground running and secure another good result for BMW.”
Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “I’m very excited to finally get the chance to race at Indianapolis. Indy is often referred to as the ‘world centre of racing’ and an incredibly iconic track. I can’t wait to turn my first laps in the BMW M Hybrid V8 there and hopefully secure a podium finish with my teammate Augusto. I believe we’ve deserved it. We’ve been on an upward trajectory in the past few races, but unfortunately, we had a bit of bad luck at Road America. A podium finish for us or the sister car would be a boost for all of us. However, I’m feeling positive. I’ve heard that the Indy test went very well. I’m looking forward to my next race with BMW M Team RLL and hoping for a strong result.”
Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “The team showed good pace in the test, which gives us hope for a strong weekend. I did race the Indy road course in 2020 with Connor and Nicky Catsburg, and we won the 8-hour Intercontinental GT Challenge. It will be good to be back at Indy.”