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# BMW’s Pursuit of Glory: Aiming for Victory in Abu Dhabi
- URL: https://www.rennsportreport.com/bmws-pursuit-of-glory-aiming-for-victory-in-abu-dhabi/
- Published: 2023-11-07T11:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-21T14:07:51.000Z
- Description: Valentino Rossi is also in the mix.
- Author: Jean-Paul Hackett
- Tags: Archive

**Philipp Eng** and **Dries Vanthoor** are set to lead **BMW**’s bid for a second drivers’ title in the **Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by AWS** as the racing series wraps up with the **Gulf 12 Hours** on **December 8-10**.

BMW enters the final event with a nine-point lead over **Mercedes-AMG** in the manufacturers' standings but finds itself behind **Jules Gounon**, the leading driver in the championship.

Eng, only eight points behind Gounon, will share one of **Team WRT**’s two **M4 GT3**s with **Sheldon van der Linde** and **Charles Weerts**, both acclaimed BMW factory drivers. Vanthoor, who is six points further back, teams up with **Nick Yelloly** and **Valentino Rossi**.

Rossi is set for his third **IGTC** event this season, having previously joined WRT at **Bathurst** and **Spa**, where he and Eng celebrated victory.

Following a win at **Indianapolis**, Eng has stepped up as BMW’s top driver to possibly match the only other BMW champions in the IGTC, **Augusto Farfus** and **Nicky Catsburg**, who claimed the title in **2020**.

*“I’m very excited to enter the title fight in Abu Dhabi,”* Eng stated. *“The circuit is a lot of fun. It has changed a bit since I was last there in 2013, but I believe it should play to the strengths of our BMW M4 GT3\. I have great teammates and a fantastic team. Of course, the competition is strong, but our chances are good.”*

However, this combination means Van der Linde is no longer in the running for the championship. Despite being tied for third place with Vanthoor and having shared wins at **Kyalami** and Indy, he can't reach Eng's point total now that they are teammates.

**Andreas Roos**, the director of **BMW M Motorsport**, shared his excitement: *“It’s fantastic to be able to compete for titles at the end of such a long and eventful season. The Intercontinental GT Challenge has taken us across five continents, with remarkable victories at Kyalami, Indianapolis, and the season highlight at *Spa-Francorchamps*. We’ve already reaped substantial rewards from this series.*

*Kudos to our teams WRT and *ROWE Racing* for their dedication, our drivers for their outstanding performances, and all our colleagues at BMW M Motorsport. Now, we set our sights on clinching the manufacturer and driver standings in Abu Dhabi!”*