WEC Season Preview: BMW LMGT3

Credit: FIA WEC

BMW and WRT team up once more, with altered line-ups for an attack on the LMGT3 title in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

2025 was a disappointing year for BMW in the LMGT3 category to say the least, despite two podiums each for the No.46 and the No.31, the team lacked consistency to mount any realistic title fight.

The team enjoyed some strong results in qualifying, including a pole position in Imola, but again lacked consistency, affecting race results as they started lower down the grid.

A double DNF at Le Mans only added to the teams’ lacklustre season, especially after the No.46 managed to qualify third for the historic endurance race.

The team hasn't won since Imola 2024, which is certainly unlike BMW, a brand that is competitive across GT3 series globally.

A shakeup in the driver line-up is the main talking point for the pair of WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVOs, with many disappointed not to see the return of seven time Moto GP champion, Valentino Rossi.

Both cars have a number change, with the No.32 composed of the 2024 drivers, Augusto Farfus, Sean Gelael and Darren Leung, whereas the No.69 brings an all new lineup of Dan Harper, Parker Thompson and Anthony McIntosh.

Credit: BMW Group

Leung returns as an experienced Bronze driver after spending 2025 with McLaren and United Autosports, as McIntosh joins as the other Bronze after making three appearances in 2025 aboard an Aston Martin LMGT3. Farfus returns as a BMW works driver, as Harper makes his series debut as an exciting and young BMW backed driver.

Gelael also returns to BMW after racing with McLaren last year, whereas Parker Thompson makes his series debut after racing in the IMSA Weathertech Championship in recent years.

“The FIA WEC is a new racing series with new circuits for me. I’m extremely excited to be competing in an official FIA World Championship. The highlight will obviously be at Le Mans. I am proud to have made it this far to be able to take part in this event,” said Dan Harper, ahead of his WEC debut in 2026.

“I’m really looking forward to driving with Sean and Darren again”, said Farfus, a campaign that saw the team finish fourth in 2024, with one win.

BMW and WRT are bringing two exciting new line ups to the 2026 WEC season, make sure to keep an eye on them as the season gets underway on April 17th-19th at Imola.