The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season came to an end with the 3-hour race in Barcelona. ROWE Racing had a standout season, despite the BMW M Motorsport teams not achieving strong results in the season finale. Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly celebrated victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the Monza season opener. They finished the season second in both the overall standings of the Endurance Cup for drivers and teams.

Although there was a mathematical chance of winning the title before the race, the pace of the #98 BMW M4 GT3 was not enough to challenge for the top spot. Eng, Wittmann, and Yelloly finished in tenth place in the season finale. The BMW Junior Team secured twelfth place. Overall, ROWE Racing achieved two victories, one second place, and one third place in the Endurance Cup in 2023.

The BMW M Team WRT did not replicate their strong results from the Sprint Cup in the endurance races during their first year with the BMW M4 GT3. Despite a damaged rear, Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts, and Sheldon van der Linde managed to secure eleventh place. Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin, and Augusto Farfus retired early. The #30 BMW M4 GT3 from the WRT team finished fourth in the Gold Cup, while the #31 BMW M4 GT3 and the #35 BMW M4 GT3 from Walkenhorst Motorsport finished seventh and eighth in the Bronze Cup, respectively.

The Sprint Cup season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS with the BMW M Team WRT will conclude on October 14th/15th at Zandvoort.

Reactions after the Endurance Cup season finale:

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): ROWE Racing had a fantastic season, starting with podium finishes and a 1-2 finish at the opening race at Monza. The highlight was their third overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Naundorf thanked the entire team, BMW M Motorsport, and all the drivers for their efforts.

Philipp Eng (#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 10th place): Eng expressed his overall satisfaction with the season, acknowledging the disappointment in the finale but highlighting the team’s reliability and the great teammates he had.

Max Hesse (#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 12th place): Hesse reflected on the progress the team made compared to the previous year and the highlight of their podium finish at Monza.

Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, 11th place): Van der Linde described the Endurance Cup season as challenging, mentioning the team’s struggles in qualifying.

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, DNF): Rossi admitted to making a small mistake that caused him to lose control of the car. Despite the disappointment, he believed they could have achieved a good result.