BMW finally tasted overall victory on home soil at the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, as ROWE Racing conquered the Nürburgring in the three-hour Endurance Cup race. It marked the Bavarian manufacturer’s first triumph in Germany since joining the series, a breakthrough achieved by the #98 crew of Raffaele Marciello, Augusto Farfus and Jesse Krohn.
Starting from pole, the BMW looked strong from the beginning. Farfus controlled the opening stint, fending off pressure from behind as the 61-car field roared into life. The early phases were frenetic, with multiple battles across the classes, but the #98 remained steady at the front.
Lead changes and high stakes
The turning point came at the start of the second hour of the GTWC Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring. The #7 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin found a way through, taking control as the BMW momentarily dropped behind. Mattia Drudi’s charge in the Aston brought a new dynamic to the race, with the two cars running nose-to-tail for several laps.
For a while, it looked like the Aston Martin might spoil BMW’s party on home turf. But the strategic cards fell ROWE’s way. A full-course yellow was called just as Drudi dived into the pits for the final stop. The timing could not have been worse: the Aston lost significant ground, while the BMW stopped under safer conditions and cycled back to the front.
From there, the GTWC Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring belonged to Marciello. The Swiss driver climbed aboard for the final hour and never looked back. He built a comfortable margin over his pursuers and kept the #98 unreachable until the chequered flag, delivering a hugely significant win for the Munich marque.
Home glory for ROWE Racing
The result resonated well beyond the pit wall. For BMW, it was not only a long-awaited home victory but also a continuation of a remarkable 2025 season. Just two months earlier, the same trio had conquered the Nürburgring 24 Hours, before adding a top-five finish at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
For ROWE Racing, based only a short drive from the Eifel circuit, this was another proud milestone. The 25,075 fans in attendance saw a near-perfect execution of pace, strategy and consistency that ensured BMW’s long wait ended in style.
Mercedes-AMG battles back
Behind the dominant BMW, the fight for the remaining podium places was just as tense. The #48 Mann-Filter Mercedes-AMG of Lucas Auer, Matteo Cairoli and Maro Engel rose from seventh on the grid with a strong and consistent run. By staying out of trouble and timing their stops well, the yellow-liveried AMG crew vaulted into second during the final phases of the GTWC Endurance Cup at the Nürburgring.
The result carried major weight in the championship picture. The Mann-Filter squad extended its lead in the Endurance Cup standings, building a cushion that could prove decisive at the finale.
Porsche recovers for podium
Rutronik Racing completed the top three. Its #96 Porsche of Patric Niederhauser, Sven Müller and Alessio Picariello endured a torrid opening stint, slipping out of the top 10. But a superb recovery in the middle hour, combined with sharp pit work, brought the car back into contention. Like Mercedes, the Porsche team also benefitted from the well-timed caution, securing third place at the flag.
The #22 Schumacher CLRT Porsche fought hard all afternoon and finished fourth, while the #63 Grasser Racing Lamborghini came home fifth after an eventful race.
Mustang impresses, then falls
One of the most eye-catching stories of the day came from the new Mustang GT3. The #64 HRT entry produced its best showing yet, running inside the top three and crossing the line in a sensational third place. However, a 10-second penalty for a full-course yellow infringement dropped the American car back to sixth. Even so, it marked a breakthrough performance for the debuting Ford and hinted at strong potential for the future.
Drama across the field
While the spotlight shone on the leaders, the wider field provided its own share of drama. Several class frontrunners saw victories vanish through penalties, while others inherited results in the final minutes. The frantic closing stages saw constant battles for position, with the 61-car entry ensuring there was action at every corner.
The Gold Cup appeared settled when Verstappen.com Racing crossed the line first, only for a post-race penalty to change the order. In the Silver Cup, Boutsen VDS lost and regained the lead in the final minutes, while Bronze Cup favourites Kessel Racing were eliminated from contention after a spin into the gravel. These twists reshaped the class championships and ensured every title remains undecided after the GTWC Endurance Cup at the Nürburgring.
Championship showdown ahead
The Nürburgring weekend added another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable Endurance Cup season. Mercedes-AMG Mann-Filter strengthened its hold on the overall standings, but Rutronik Racing’s podium keeps the fight alive, just five points separating the top crews.
With all class titles still up for grabs, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion. The Endurance Cup will return for its final act at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 10–12 October. A three-hour showdown in Spain will crown the champions after a season defined by close battles, strategic gambles and high drama.
Results: GTWC Europe Endurance Cup Nürburgring Race
