IMSA at Mosport: BMW M Team RLL Heads to Canada with Momentum Following BMW M Hybrid V8’s First Victory
BMW

IMSA at Mosport: BMW M Team RLL Heads to Canada with Momentum Following BMW M Hybrid V8’s First Victory

IMSA at Mosport: BMW M Team RLL Heads to Canada with Momentum Following BMW M Hybrid V8’s First Victory

Munich. The BMW M Team RLL is set to arrive at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CAN) with significant momentum after the BMW M Hybrid V8’s first victory at Watkins Glen (USA) two weeks ago. The upcoming weekend will see the sixth round of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship (IMSA series) take place at the circuit near Toronto, also known as Mosport.

After the race weekend at Watkins Glen, the team conducted additional testing at the same venue for two more days with Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR). All four drivers also spent time in the simulator, as Philipp Eng (AUT), Augusto Farfus (BRA), and Yelloly are unfamiliar with the Canadian circuit. Eng, Farfus, and Yelloly traveled back to Europe to participate in last weekend’s 24 Hours of Spa (BEL), where they, along with Marco Wittmann (GER), secured BMW’s 25th overall win in the ROWE Racing BMW M4 GT3. It was Yelloly’s second major victory in under a week.

Reflecting on the victory at Watkins Glen, BMW M Team RLL Team Principal Bobby Rahal expressed his satisfaction with the pace of the BMW M Hybrid V8 throughout the race. He extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the new-era GTP program, highlighting the hard work and dedication put in by both sides of the Atlantic since the project’s inception in July of last year. Rahal recognized the team’s commitment, stating that they received the cars in September, began testing in October, and already secured a win just five races into the season.

The team’s victory at Watkins Glen marked their 23rd win and 99th podium finish since 2009. This milestone has given the team an extra incentive to achieve podium number 100 at Mosport. The team has previously achieved one victory (2017) and three runner-up finishes (2015, 2017, and 2019) at Mosport while racing in the GT category prior to this season.

In the GT Daytona class, three BMW M4 GT3s will be competing. Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow (both USA) continue to lead the GTD class points with the #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3. The pair has already secured wins at Sebring and Long Beach, as well as a hard-earned second-place finish at Watkins Glen after recovering from a three-lap deficit. Turner Motorsport will field two BMW M4 GT3s driven by Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA), and Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull (both USA).

The race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is scheduled for Sunday, July 9th, and will last two hours and forty minutes, starting at 12:05 local time (18:05 CEST).

Quotes ahead of the race in Mosport:

Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Mosport is one of the most challenging and demanding tracks on our calendar. We have gained good momentum after Watkins Glen, and we will continue striving for further improvements throughout the weekend. I am extremely excited to drive this track for the first time in a prototype!”

Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “We will definitely try to keep our momentum going after a strong race at Watkins Glen. Mosport is a circuit that only Connor has prior experience on, so it will be a challenge for the three of us. Based on what I can tell, if the car performed well at Watkins Glen, it should be well-suited for Mosport. I am looking forward to experiencing what seems to be a very thrilling circuit.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “This weekend will be my first time in Canada and at Mosport. We have prepared extensively on the simulator after Watkins Glen. The track is fast and relatively short, so we should have ample opportunity to complete numerous laps during practice and get the #24 car up to speed. The win at Watkins Glen was crucial for the entire GTP project, so we will work hard to maintain that momentum.”

Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Mosport is one of those fast, old-school circuits. I have never been there before, but I am a fan of such tracks that emphasize speed. Philipp and I will need to adapt quickly to get our car dialed in. Considering the success of the #25 car at Watkins Glen and the team’s acquired knowledge, perhaps we can secure two podium finishes for BMW at Mosport.”