The opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship delivered a stunning LMGT3 finish at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
Team WRT emerged victorious with the No. 69 BMW M4 GT3 EVO (BMW) of Anthony McIntosh, Parker Thompson and Dan Harper, crossing the line just 0.265 seconds ahead of the No. 33 Corvette Z06 GT3.R (TF Sport / Chevrolet).
It stands as one of the closest finishes in WEC history, capping off a race filled with strategy, tension and late drama.
McLaren Loses Control Late as BMW Seizes Opportunity
The race appeared to be heading towards a win for Garage 59 and its No. 10 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo (McLaren), which had started from pole following Tom Fleming’s standout qualifying performance.
A bold strategy saw Marvin Kirchhöfer run a short middle stint before returning for the final push, allowing the McLaren to hold a narrow lead heading into the final hour.
However, everything changed suddenly when the McLaren suffered a loss of power on the start/finish straight, opening the door for Dan Harper.
Harper seized the moment and moved into the lead — but the battle was far from over.
Intense Final Laps Seal WRT Victory
In the closing stages, Harper had to withstand heavy pressure from Nicky Catsburg in the TF Sport Corvette, with the two cars separated by mere tenths.
Tension was heightened further by a brief moment of confusion within the BMW team regarding the final lap, adding to the drama.
Despite that, Harper held firm to secure a hard-fought victory.
Top 3:
- 1st: BMW M4 GT3 EVO #69 (Team WRT) – McIntosh/Thompson/Harper
- 2nd: Corvette Z06 GT3.R #33 (TF Sport) – Keating/Edgar/Catsburg
- 3rd: Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo #92 (Manthey Racing) – Shahin/Pera/Lietz
The Manthey Porsche also delivered a strong recovery drive after an early spin, showcasing the team’s trademark consistency.
For Team WRT, this marks a second win at Imola in three seasons, reinforcing the track as a stronghold for the team.
For McLaren and Garage 59, it is a case of what might have been — a victory lost in the final moments of a dramatic endurance race.
