On the weekend of June 21-22 2025, dozens of cars will line up on the starting grid at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany for what is undoubtedly the most challenging sportscar race in the world, the Nürburgring 24 Hour. BMW M Motorsport will seek to score the 21st overall win for the brand in 2025, which would be their first overall win since 2020.
Unlike the 2024 race, where BMW M Motorsport entered three M4 GT3s that had a good shot at an overall victory, there will only be one M4 GT3 EVO running with works support in 2025. That car will be run by ROWE Racing, which has finished on the podium three times since 2017.
The schedule around the ‘Ring 24 Hour race is a problem this year, as the Spa 24 Hour in Belgium is the weekend after the ‘Ring 24 Hour. “It must also be said openly that the very unfortunate scheduling of the 24h Nürburgring presents us with unprecedented organizational challenges,” said ROWE Team Principal Hans Peter-Naundorf. “It hurts us that we can only present ourselves with one car to the great fans at the Nürburgring, but given the double burden with the 24h Spa-Francorchamps, it was not possible otherwise.”
In addition to the Spa 24 Hour race coming the weekend after the ‘Ring 24 Hour, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the weekend before (June 14th-15th), so three of the biggest 24-hour races in the world will take place in June on three consecutive weekends, and BMW M Motorsport competes in all three of them. To add to the challenge, the IMSA Six Hours of Watkins Glen is also the same weekend as the ‘Ring 24 Hour, so a lot of works drivers that may have been available to race at the ‘Ring have other commitments that weekend.
Augusto Farfus (left) and Raffaele Marciello trade places at the NLS race.
There may only be one works-backed car entered for the ‘Ring 24 Hour, but it’s loaded with works drivers Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn, Raffaele Marciello and Kelvin van der Linde. Farfus won this race before with BMW (2010) while van der Linde has won it twice with Audi (2017, 2022). The quartet competed in the first four-hour Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) race of the season and finished fifth behind four Porsches. The ROWE team will enter more NLS races before the big dance in June, as is common for teams preparing for the 24-hour.
Augusto Farfus at the wheel of the M4 GT3 EVO.
Another highlight of this years ‘Ring 24 Hour will be the new M2 race model competing in the race as part of its development for full-time racing in 2026. There will also be several BMW customer teams racing in the ‘Ring 24 hour in the multiple classes that form the entry. “We are highly motivated to clinch the 21st overall victory for BMW at this year’s 24-hour race, said BMW M Motorsport Head Andreas Roos. “Last year, we were very close, and this time we are doing everything we can to stand at the top of the podium for the first time since 2020. With a top team like ROWE Racing and four high-class works drivers, we have created the best possible conditions. The fact that the three most important 24-hour races of the year take place on three consecutive weekends is a massive logistical challenge and anything but ideal. Nevertheless, our goal is to make the most of the situation and provide a great show for our many fans at the Nordschleife.”
—David Haueter
[Photos courtesy BMW, Gruppe C Photography]
