BMW is currently evaluating a possible change in the IMSA GTP service provider for the 2026 season, with his long -run partner RAAL LANIAN RACING (RLL) at the discussion center. LMDH is currently focused on BMW M Hybrid V8.
Renewal
The contract between BMW and RLL-who has been allied since 2009-at the end of the IMSA Weathertech Sports Championship 2025. Sportscar365 The auto industry is taking places with RL and many other potential teams as part of an official tender delegated under German law.
“We are never talking about the details of the contract,” Ross said in an interview with SPORTSCAR365. “But it is correct that there are always certain dates that we have to discuss how the future will look and how to continue to work together.
“We are discussing with Rahal, but we also have other teams that speak to us, perhaps now because we were able to enter our car in a very competitive window.” We also get questions or requests from other teams. I am happy with this. Then we will decide how we will do it in the future. “
Partnership floors, but modern conflicts
RL was a major part of attending the BMW factory race in North America, where it got 24 victories, including a chapter in Rolex 24 in Daytona in GTLM 2020. Their heritage includes sweeping all three GT titles in 2011 and won the manufacturer and the team in 2010.
However, since the GTP category entered 2023 with M Hybrid V8, the team has faced challenges in the opposite competition in the front. While the victories in Watskins Glen and Indianapolis have highlighted its capabilities, the first -class BMW has not yet achieved continuous dominance.
Possible alternatives appear
according to Dailysportscar and Sportscar365BMW has inserted three teams as potential wallpaper for RLL if the brand chooses to go in a new direction. One of the first place is Chip Ganassi Racing, who became a free agent after separating roads with Cadillac at the end of the 2024 season. Experience the first model of CGR makes it an attractive choice for BMW.
Another strong competitor is Pratt Miller MotorsPorts, the Corvette Factory team for a long time. PMM is currently active in LMP2 and GTD Pro with Corvette Z06 GT3.R, and it is said to be eager to expand in the GTP program.
Despite the uncertainty, RLL is still in active conversations with BMW about continuing partnership. The team recently changed a leadership with the appointment of Jay Free – President of Indycar – as head of his new team, after the departure of operations director Steve Eriksen in April 2025.
If you choose BMW change, RLL will have seven races in the period of GTP, including the main endurance cup rounds in Watskins Glen, Indianapolis, and Atlanta Road. A third M -MYBRID V8 plan was also considered in 24 hours of LE MANS with RL in 2025 but eventually on the shelf.