BMW M4 GT3 EVO clinches overall and class victories in GT World Challenge Europe debut

BMW M4 GT3 EVO wins big at Paul Ricard in GTWC Europe 2025, taking top honors and podiums in every class. See full race highlights and results.

BMW M Motorsport kicked off the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with an emphatic statement at Circuit Paul Ricard. The new BMW M4 GT3 EVO not only claimed overall victory but also secured podium finishes in every category of the race.

Team WRT’s 32 crew — Charles Weerts, Ugo de Wilde, and Kelvin van der Linde — started ninth on the grid and made a steady climb throughout the six-hour contest. As cooler evening temperatures set in, their pace improved markedly. With one hour and 45 minutes to go, van der Linde took the lead and never looked back.

For Ugo de Wilde, the win was particularly significant. It was his first outing as a BMW works driver, and he marked it with a flawless drive. Having impressed in the Spa 24 Hours the year before, de Wilde’s smooth integration into the BMW program signals a promising trajectory.

BMW M Motorsport had more reasons to celebrate. Paradine Competition took the win in the Silver Cup with the #992, while car #991 finished second in the Bronze Cup. The 777 from AlManar Racing by Team WRT earned a third-place finish in the Gold Cup, led by Jens Klingmann.

Despite early retirements for 30 and 15, BMW teams showed depth and resilience. ROWE Racing’s 98 surged from 13th to sixth overall, and Century Motorsport placed fifth in the Silver Cup.

Paul Ricard plays a pivotal role in the championship, opening the Endurance Cup with a twilight-to-midnight race. This win marked Team WRT’s first victory at the French circuit since 2012 — a milestone that adds extra weight to their performance.

The BMW M4 GT3 EVO continues to impress across other championships. It claimed a win in the Michelin Endurance Cup within IMSA and will be campaigned in DTM by top-tier drivers René Rast and Marco Wittmann. With notable aerodynamic and handling improvements, the EVO variant is delivering on its promise.

As teams look ahead to the next round at Monza, the message is clear: BMW M Motorsport is back with purpose. And with such a commanding start, the 2025 season may well become a defining chapter in their GT racing journey.