Barcelona. The ROWE Racing team and its two BMW M4 GT3s ended the season finale in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (ESP) in ninth and 13th places. These results put the team from St. Ingbert (GER) fourth in the overall standings for endurance races with 66 points, just missing out on the podium position that all had hoped for. Both car crews once again struggled as they had done recently at Hockenheim (GER), particularly in qualifying. However, significantly better race pace saw them move up a number of places, but recording top results proved to be a bridge too far.
The BMW M works drivers Augusto Farfus (BRA), Nick Yelloly (GBR) and Philipp Eng (AUT) shared driving duties in the #98 BMW M4 GT3. Eng replaced Nick Catsburg (NED), who was unable to compete due to other racing commitments. The trio could do no better than 18th position in qualifying, but then gave a faultless performance as they battled up to ninth place. Junior drivers Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER) and Neil Verhagen (USA) had even further to go to reach the front, starting from 23rd on the grid, however they also made up plenty of ground and took the chequered flag in 13th place.
Reactions after the race:
Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team principal ROWE Racing): “The last two circuits this season did not really suit our BMW M4 GT3 and its vehicle characteristics. But drivers and the team once again gave a very professional, faultless performance and did manage to battle their way to a top ten finish, even though this was not the result that we had hoped for. Many thanks to all the drivers and our partner BMW M Motorsport, and not least to all the members of the team for their fantastic and tireless performances throughout an arduous season.”
Philipp Eng (#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 9th place): “I really enjoyed being back in the GT World Challenge Europe with ROWE Racing. First of all, I had to get used to the tyres again. We gave it everything in qualifying and all three of us were at the same level. I managed to put us up in eleventh place in my starting stint and that was a lot of fun. Many thanks to the whole team for working so well together this weekend.“
Max Hesse (#50 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 13th place): “It is tough on the track when you’re battling with other cars, but the team did a brilliant job, rebuilt the car several times after Friday and tried everything. The positive aspect is that we found a few things. Many thanks to everyone at ROWE Racing for the giving us the chance to drive for the team this season.“
