BMW M Team WRT has achieved BMW M Motorsport's first overall podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1999, with the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 crossing the finish line in second place after a thrilling and hard-fought 24-hour endurance battle.
Driven by Robin Frijns, René Rast, and Sheldon van der Linde, the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 completed the legendary French endurance race just 10.9 seconds shy of an historic victory, marking a triumphant return to the top step of the podium for BMW's motorsport division after more than a quarter-century away from the sharp end of the Le Mans overall classification.
"We have worked for years to be successful at Le Mans again," said Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. "This result is a testament to the dedication of the entire team — from the engineers and mechanics to the drivers and everyone at BMW M Team WRT. To be back on the overall podium at Le Mans, fighting for the win until the very last lap, is an incredible achievement."
The race was a dramatic affair from start to finish, with changing weather conditions, multiple safety car periods, and intense battles across all classes. The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 consistently ran near the front of the Hypercar field, demonstrating both the pace and reliability that have been hallmarks of BMW's return to the top tier of endurance racing.
Robin Frijns, who delivered several impressive stints behind the wheel, commented: "This is a special moment for everyone involved. Le Mans is the ultimate challenge in endurance racing, and to be fighting for the win in the final hours is what every driver dreams of. We came so close, and that gives us even more motivation for the future."
René Rast echoed those sentiments: "The car was fantastic all weekend. The team did an incredible job with strategy and pit stops. To miss out on the win by just over ten seconds after 24 hours of racing shows just how competitive this field is. We can be incredibly proud of this result."
Sheldon van der Linde added: "Being part of this program and standing on the Le Mans podium is something I will never forget. This is the result of years of hard work by so many people, and it proves that BMW is back as a genuine contender for overall victories in endurance racing."
The second-place finish represents a significant milestone for BMW's return to the FIA World Endurance Championship's Hypercar category. The German manufacturer last claimed an overall victory at Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR, driven by Joachim Winkelhock, Pierluigi Martini, and Yannick Dalmas. While that outright victory remains the benchmark, this podium finish signals that BMW M Motorsport is once again a force to be reckoned with on the world's biggest endurance racing stage.
BMW M Team WRT's performance at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans demonstrates the rapid progress the team has made since entering the Hypercar category. With the pace, reliability, and operational excellence displayed at La Sarthe, the team will undoubtedly be targeting an overall victory in the near future.
Image Source: BMW Group
