What we know!
When it comes to this key victory, there is much behind it, namely BMW’s fuel efficiency and pit strategy. Thanks to new regulations that allow for greater flexibility in stint lengths, Team WRT was able to extend their fuel windows, while the competitors were forced to pit in the closing laps.
During the race, in which the #46 BMW M4 GT3 driven by Valentino Rossi, Raffaele Marciello and Charles Weerts finished in second place, resulting in a clean sweep by BMW of the top two spots, Chaz Mostert, in the Arise Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, briefly took the lead with just 37 minutes remaining, before having to stop for fuel and therefore drop down the order.
What this victory means is a great deal, with the automaker securing a significant milestone. In specific, they had not won at Bathurst since 2010 when a BMW 335i took the top honors. The win also continues the victorious streak of Team WRT, which has remained unbeaten following victories at the 24 H Dubai and the 6H Abu Dhabi.
In commenting on this momentous win, Andres Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport, boasted: “Congratulations to Team WRT on the long-awaited Bathurst victory! It was our third attempt with the BMW M4 GT3, and after coming close last year, we finally made it!”
He went on to state that he was “very happy for the Van der Linde brothers that they can celebrate a victory in their first race sharing a car for BMW M Motorsport. I am also pleased for Augusto Farfus, who can add another prestigious triumph to his illustrious career as a BMW M works driver.”
Roos also gave props to the second-place finishers in their sister car, stating that it was a shame a penalty cost them the victory.
This victory is hoped to be a “good omen” for the rest of the season, Roos concluded, thanking all involved for making the outstanding season start possible.
The race up close!
Kelvin van der Linde drove the No. 32 BMW to a 10.245-second win over the sister No. 46 entry of Raffaele Marciello, with all three podium finishers completing the race with one less stop than their competitors.
In the final four hour and 34-minute green flag run to the checkered flag, key strategy play fueled the outcome of what was the Intercontinental GT Challenge season opener.
In sharing the winning BMW, Van der Linde and his younger brother Sheldon celebrated the milestone, marking the first brother pairing to win overall at Mount Panorama since David and Geoff Brabham in the 1997 Bathurst 1000 Super Touring race. They also shared the victory with Brazilian ace Augusto Farfus.
With this second Bathurst 12H win by the Belgian squad, BMW marked its maiden victory in the race’s GT3 era. The BMW impressively led for more than three-quarters of the race, demonstrating both speed and efficiency.
Further down the line, bronze class honors were given to the No. 27 Heart of Racing Mercedes-AMG of Russ Gunn, Zach Robichon and Ian James, which finished seventh overall yet ahead of the Pro-Am-winning No. 36 Arise GT Ferrari of Alessio Rovera, Jaxon Evans, Brad Schumacher and Elliotte Schutte.
Silver-class wins in the race went to the No. 93 Wall Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, which claimed back-to-back wins thanks to drivers Aaron Dietz, Tony D’Alberto, Grant Denver and Brendon Leitch.
GT4 class honors were given to No. 24 Method Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4 of Josh Buchan, Jake Santalucia and Anthony Levitt, which finished 15 laps ahead of the No. 19 Team Nineteen Mercedes-AMG GT4.
In the biggest accident of the race, which came in the third hour, Habul and the No. 4 Grove Racing Mercedes-AMG of Stephen Grove made side-by-side contact at Skyline, which resulted in Grove’s Bronze class entry wrecking into the wall, nearly going over the barrier.
The result!
Thanks to changes in the race regulations since 2024, two of which proved to be crucial and went some way in determining the race winner, BMW reigned supreme. In previous years, drivers had been limited to stints of no more than 32 laps before refueling, and had to serve a minimum number of stops. But those windows were instead wide open this year, and BMW made the best of these changes, resulting in a monumental victory.
In recapping the victory, Kelvin said it was the “hardest two hours of my life.”
“We were fuel-saving, especially when Chaz was coming, and it was so hard. We are very proud.”
His brother Farfus added: “We have been so close, so far and we wound up having a fast car, and we executed a perfect race.”
With a race coming down to six leading cars, including both BMWs, the 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3, the Arise Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 and more, the best of the best were showcased. Thanks to fuel efficiency, pit strategy and more, BMW reigned supreme! In its first win in 15 years with 1-2, this victory was dominant and surely worth note! BMW M Motorsport and its outstanding 1-2 finish at the 2025 Bathurst 12 hour is one for the books!