The Bathurst 12 Hour in brief

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The Thrill of the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour: A Race to Remember

The 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour was nothing short of a sensational spectacle, captivating motorsport fans around the globe and firmly establishing its place in racing history. This year’s event, part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, welcomed new GT3 models from Ferrari, Ford (Mustang), and Chevrolet (Corvette) for the first time, adding an exciting twist to a long-standing tradition.

Image courtesy of BMW

 A Showcase of Speed and Strategy

As the cars lined up for the race, fans were treated to a thrilling “Track to Town” event in Bathurst city center, where they could get up close with the vehicles and meet their favorite drivers. The atmosphere was electric, setting the stage for the dramatic events that followed. As the race began, the challenge of Mount Panorama transformed into a testing ground where skill, strategy, and endurance were put to the ultimate test.

 BMW Makes History

The standout story of the day was BMW Team WRT’s historic 1-2 finish. The #32 BMW M4 GT3, manned by the formidable trio of Sheldon van der Linde, Kelvin van der Linde, and Augusto Farfus, clinched BMW’s first GT3-era Bathurst 12 Hour victory. This was a momentous occasion that marked several milestones: it was the first victory for a sibling duo since the Brabham brothers in 1997, and it ended a 15-year victory drought for BMW at this iconic event.

In a display of incredible teamwork and foresight, the winning team executed flawless fuel management, strategically navigating the race without the need for last-minute fills that plagued their competition.

 

Race Highlights: Drama Unfolds

From the chaos of the opening lap to the nail-biting final moments, this race had it all. The start was a spectacular three-wide battle involving Mercedes, Audi, and Ferrari contenders, setting the tone for the intense racing ahead. Mid-race saw an unprecedented seven safety car interventions within the first 7.5 hours, punctuated by major crashes, including an unfortunate incident for veteran Craig Lowndes.

As the final hour approached, the tension mounted. Chaz Mostert’s #26 Ferrari led the pack, only to be undone by a last-minute fuel stop, dropping him to fourth place. Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi, now driving the #46 BMW, executed a daring outside pass at The Chase, ultimately securing second place. The race concluded with BMW crossing the finish line first, winning by a margin of 10.24 seconds—the largest gap since 2017.

Record-Breaking Attendance

The atmosphere at Mount Panorama was further amplified by record-breaking attendance numbers, with 51,372 fans in attendance, marking the second-highest turnout ever. The event’s growing global prominence in GT racing is a testament to its increasing appeal among motorsport enthusiasts. This depsite a car count that has become quite depressed when compared to the Yeehah Events ownership period.

 Notable Driver Achievements

  • Valentino Rossi became the first MotoGP champion to podium at Bathurst, proving his versatility on the from 2 to 4 wheels.
  • Jules Gounon extended his podium record with five finishes, solidifying his status as a top competitor.
  • Chaz Mostert showcased his speed by setting a record for the most fastest race laps, a feat that highlights the talent present in this year’s field.
  • BMW secured its first GT3-era Bathurst 12 Hour victory
  • Team WRT achieved a historic 1-2 finish, only the third such result in event history
  • The van der Linde brothers became the first sibling duo to win since the Brabham brothers in 1997
  • Valentino Rossi became the first former MotoGP world champion to stand on the Bathurst podium
  • The race featured 14 lead changes among 6 different cars
  • There were 7 safety car interventions during the first 7.5 hours

Notable Statistics

  • Winning margin: 10.24 seconds
  • Laps completed: 306 (fourth time the race has surpassed 300 laps)
  • Attendance: 51,372 (second-largest in event history)
  • Finishing rate: 77% (second-highest ever)
Image courtesy of BMW

Podium Results

  1. #32 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3
    • Drivers: Kelvin van der Linde, Sheldon van der Linde, Augusto Farfus
    • Completed 306 laps
  2. #46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3
    • Drivers: Valentino Rossi, Charles Weerts, Raffaele Marciello
    • Finished 10.24 seconds behind the winners
  3. #75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3
    • Drivers: Jules Gounon, Luca Stolz, Kenny Habul