In June 2021, BMW formally announced they would join IMSA's GTP class in 2023, using an LMDh-compliant racing design.[8] 3 months later, it was confirmed BMW would work with Dallara as their chassis supplier, making BMW the first manufacturer in the LMDh ruleset to select Dallara as their partner.[9] A partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to campaign the cars in IMSA was announced in November 2021, continuing a relationship that began with the BMW M3 GT2 in 2009.[10] The M Hybrid V8's engine is a twin-turbochargedV8, which is a development of the engine found in the BMW M4 DTM during 2017 and 2018, paired with the standardised hybrid parts provided by Williams Advanced Engineering, Bosch and Xtrac.[11][12][13] In August 2022, it was announced BMW would bring the car to the FIA World Endurance Championship as well, operated by Team WRT.[14]
Another podium followed at the 2023 Grand Prix of Long Beach. De Phillippi in the #25 car had fought for the podium positions against the #7 Porsche and the #10 Acura, eventually passing the Porsche and finishing in 2nd overall, taking advantage of another position after Ricky Taylor crashed on the penultimate lap.[19]
The #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 (pictured at the 2023 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen) took BMW's first overall victory in endurance prototype racing since 2000 at Silverstone.
At the 2023 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, the #25 M Hybrid V8 fought for the lead during the course of the race against the #6 Porsche, #31 Cadillac, and #60 Acura. Through a better strategy, De Phillippi was able to take the lead with 40 minutes remaining, but was beat to the finish by Jaminet in the #6 Porsche, who overtook De Phillippi in the final minutes prior to the race ending behind the safety car. Following a post-race penalty against the #6 Porsche for illegal skid block wear, the #25 BMW inherited the race win, a maiden victory for the M Hybrid V8.[20] The win marked BMW's first victory in a sports prototype since the 2000 American Le Mans Series at Silverstone. Two more podiums followed for the #25 car at the 2023 Chevrolet Grand Prix, taking advantage of an alternative strategy,[21] and the 2023 IMSA Battle on the Bricks, where the #25 car was able to jump the #31 Cadillac in the final round of pitstops.[22]
In July, BMW announced that they would split from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at the end of the year.[35] The manufacturer later revealed an updated version of the M Hybrid V8 for 2026. The updated car featured new front styling with a smaller kidney grille and improved aerodynamics.[36]
Racing results
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
(key) Races in bold indicates pole position. Races in italics indicates fastest lap.
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