Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Pit Debrief

Motorsport news

Tag: BMW

Robby Foley and Justin Rothberg chase a third straight GTWC America title with Turner Motorsport at the final Indianapolis 8 Hour.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

Foley targets third straight GTWC America title at 2026 Indianapolis 8 Hour

Karishma Persad07 mins

Robby Foley heads into the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour with another GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS championship within reach, as he and Justin Rothberg attempt to secure a third consecutive title together in the final running of the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Turner Motorsport pairing enters Saturday’s eight-hour season…

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Marcus Ericsson will join younger brother Hampus Ericsson and Derek DeBoer at Random Vandals Racing for the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour, completing the team's Pro-Am line-up for the season-ending endurance race. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner will drive the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS and Intercontinental GT Challenge conclude their respective seasons at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ericsson had already emerged as the expected third driver when the provisional 29-car Indianapolis 8 Hour entry appeared earlier in September. Random Vandals Racing has now officially confirmed his addition alongside its full-season pairing of Hampus Ericsson and DeBoer. Marcus Ericsson joins Random Vandals Racing Random Vandals Racing confirmed Ericsson's addition ahead of the Indianapolis finale, bringing one of the circuit's most recognisable recent winners into its GTWC America programme. Ericsson has also maintained a presence around the SRO America paddock throughout 2026 while supporting his younger brother. Hampus and DeBoer have shared the No. 99 BMW throughout their full-season Pro-Am campaign, with Marcus now joining them for the championship's longer endurance finale. The Swede expressed particular excitement about the opportunity to compete alongside his brother again. “I’m incredibly excited to join Derek and my younger brother Hampus in the Random Vandals Racing No. 99 BMW,” said Marcus Ericsson. “Racing alongside Hampus and sharing a car with him is something I cherish deeply, so I’m very grateful to Random Vandals for giving us the opportunity to do this together. “I’ve been following and supporting Hampus and Derek throughout the season, and it’s clear to see the potential in both of them and the entire team. “Hopefully, my extensive experience and knowledge of Indianapolis Motor Speedway will allow me to contribute to the team and help secure a strong result. The BMW M4 GT3 will be a new experience for me, but with the expertise and support of the Random Vandals team, I’m confident I’ll get up to speed quickly.” Ericsson brothers reunite in GT3 machinery Indianapolis will mark the second time that Marcus and Hampus Ericsson have shared a race car. The brothers first competed together at the Michelin 12H Malaysia at Sepang International Circuit in December 2025. They joined Axel Bengtsson and Thomas Karlsson in Leipert Motorsport's Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, marking their first race together and their first appearances in GT3 competition as a pairing. Marcus has since added further GT3 experience. Earlier this year, he contested the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing, sharing its Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2 with Danny Formal, Trent Hindman and Graham Doyle. However, the Indianapolis 8 Hour will give him his first competitive outing in the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. For Hampus, meanwhile, the finale completes his first full GTWC America season with Random Vandals. He and DeBoer have represented the team throughout 2026 after Random Vandals reduced its programme to a single Pro-Am BMW following its 2025 Pro championship-winning campaign. Hampus highlighted the significance of sharing the BMW with his brother while also pointing towards Marcus' extensive Indianapolis experience. “Getting the chance to share the BMW M4 GT3 RVR car with my brother at Indianapolis is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time, so to finally make it happen is pretty special,” said Hampus Ericsson. “Derek and I have built a really strong relationship throughout the season, and I’m looking forward to bringing Marcus into the mix and seeing what the three of us can do together. “Marcus knows IMS extremely well, and his experience there will be a huge asset to the team as we fight for a strong result.” Indianapolis experience strengthens Random Vandals line-up Ericsson brings extensive knowledge of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Random Vandals line-up. Most notably, he won the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and has continued competing at the venue throughout his IndyCar career. His familiarity with the circuit therefore adds another element to a line-up that already has a full season of experience with the BMW and GTWC America's three-hour format. His Indianapolis knowledge could prove particularly useful as Random Vandals prepares for an eight-hour race that requires the team to manage a significantly different challenge from the championship's regular rounds. Team owner Paul Sparta welcomed Ericsson's arrival and highlighted the energy he expects the IndyCar driver to bring to the programme. “It’s exciting and an honor to have Marcus in a Random Vandals car for the Indy 8 Hour. He’s really pumped up for the event, and I am certain he’ll bring huge energy and performance to the team. “Given his hot streak at the end of the IndyCar season, we can’t wait to get him on track.” Two Indianapolis stars join GTWC America finale Ericsson becomes the second high-profile IndyCar driver confirmed for the 2026 Indianapolis 8 Hour. Five-time IndyCar champion Álex Palou will also return to GT3 competition at the event, joining Lin Hodenius and Luca Stolz in the No. 80 Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing entry. While Palou will compete in Pro, Ericsson joins a Pro-Am Random Vandals line-up that features two drivers with extensive links to Indianapolis alongside DeBoer. The additions strengthen an already sizeable field as GTWC America and the IGTC prepare to decide their respective championships. For Random Vandals Racing, the event also provides another opportunity to build on its 2026 campaign before the team turns its attention towards a possible two-car GTWC America programme in 2027. Ericsson, Hampus and DeBoer will share the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO when the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour brings the 2026 GTWC America season to a close at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Photo Credit: IMSA

Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson joins Random Vandals Racing for Indianapolis 8 Hour

Karishma Persad05 mins

Marcus Ericsson will join younger brother Hampus Ericsson and Derek DeBoer at Random Vandals Racing for the 2026 DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour, completing the team’s Pro-Am line-up for the season-ending endurance race. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner will drive the No. 99 BMW M4 GT3 EVO as the GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by…

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BMW reshuffles its 2026 GTWC Europe line-ups as Marciello, Farfus and Harper prioritise the clashing WEC Barcelona round.
Photo Credit: SRO | JEP

BMW drivers Marciello, Farfus and Harper to miss 2026 GTWC Europe Portimão finale amid WEC clash

Karishma Persad05 mins

BMW factory drivers Raffaele Marciello, Augusto Farfus and Dan Harper will miss the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup finale at Portimão as they prioritise the clashing FIA World Endurance Championship round at Barcelona. The two events both take place across the 16–18 October weekend, creating complications for 18 GTWC…

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Team KRC is considering a full 2027 IGTC campaign with Tony Ruan after confirming its Macau return with Augusto Farfus.
Photo Credit: SRO | Gruppe C Photography

Team KRC eyes full 2027 IGTC campaign and confirms Macau return

Karishma Persad06 mins

Team KRC is considering a full Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) campaign in 2027 as the Taiwanese BMW squad continues expanding its international racing programme. The team has already contested two IGTC events this season, making its championship debut at the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour before expanding to two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs for the Suzuka…

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Augusto Farfus, Darren Leung and Sean Gelael reflect on Team WRT’s dramatic first LMGT3 victory of the 2026 WEC season at Fuji.
Photo Credit: BMW

Team WRT trio reflects on “satisfying” Fuji LMGT3 breakthrough after difficult 2026 season

Karishma Persad09 mins

BMW M Team WRT Team Principal Vincent Vosse praised his team’s strategy and Augusto Farfus’ “incredible drive” after a difficult 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 6 Hours of Fuji ultimately produced podium finishes in both Hypercar and LMGT3. Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello and Dries Vanthoor finished third in the No. 15 BMW M Hybrid…

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Toyota snatches a dramatic home WEC victory at Fuji after a late strategy gamble, while Team WRT BMW wins a thrilling LMGT3 battle.
Photo Credit: Kenny Sunjaya

2026 | WEC | 6 Hours of Fuji | Race | Toyota takes dramatic home win as WRT BMW triumphs in LMGT3

Karishma Persad015 mins

Toyota Racing claimed a dramatic home victory in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 6 Hours of Fuji after a late strategy gamble allowed the No. 8 Toyota TR010 Hybrid to deny Alpine in the closing stages of an unpredictable race. Ryō Hirakawa defended from Victor Martins during a tense final sprint to secure…

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Random Vandals Racing looks set to expand to two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs in GTWC America in 2027 as it doubles down on SRO America.
Photo Credit: SRO | Fabian Lagunas

Random Vandals Racing poised for two-car BMW GTWC America programme in 2027

Karishma Persad05 mins

Random Vandals Racing looks set to return to a two-car BMW M4 GT3 EVO programme in GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS for the 2027 season. Team owner Paul Sparta has revealed a strong possibility that the reigning Pro class champions will expand their GT3 operation after scaling back to one car for…

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GTWC America heads to Barber with a 20-car field as four points separate the Pro leaders and just three decide the Pro-Am fight.
Photo Credit: SRO

2026 | GTWC America | Barber Motorsports Park | Preview | Title fights tighten for penultimate round

Karishma Persad012 mins

The 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season enters its decisive phase at Barber Motorsports Park from 25–27 September, with the UAB Medicine GT World Alabama benefiting Teal Wings of Hope hosting the championship’s penultimate round and final regular three-hour race before the Desder Indianapolis 8 Hour. Twenty cars are provisionally entered…

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Thomas Preining provisionally leads the 2026 DTM standings after Sachsenring, with Bortolotti’s Round 5 disqualification still under appeal.
Photo Credit: ADAC Motorsport | Gruppe C Photography

DTM | 2026 Sachsenring | Standings after Round 7 (Provisional)

Karishma Persad010 mins

Thomas Preining will head to the 2026 DTM season finale as the provisional Drivers’ Championship leader after extending his advantage during Round 7 at the Sachsenring, while Marco Wittmann has moved to within a single point of Maro Engel in the increasingly close battle behind. Preining entered the weekend only one point behind Engel but…

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Toyota targets a 10th home WEC win at Fuji as BMW and Ferrari close in, while Corvette defends its shrinking LMGT3 championship lead.
Photo Credit: FIA World Endurance Championship | DPPI

2026 | WEC | 6 Hours of Fuji | Preview | Toyota targets home victory as title fights tighten

Karishma Persad014 mins

The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship heads to Fuji Speedway from 25-27 September for Round 6, with the season entering a decisive phase and both the Hypercar and LMGT3 title fights remaining closely contested. Toyota arrives at its home race leading the Hypercar Manufacturers’ Championship with 140 points, but BMW sits only nine behind on…

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