ROWE RACING strong again at Monza, but this time without racing luck

A right front wheel defect stops Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper and Max Hesse on their way to a top place / #98 BMW M4 GT3 has to forego the start after an accident in qualifying

St. Ingbert, 23^rd September 2024 – Once again, ROWE RACING put in a strong performance at Monza, but this time it went unrewarded. Brazilian Augusto Farfus, Brit Dan Harper and Max Hesse from Germany were at one point in a podium position during the fourth round of the GT World Challenge Europe at the iconic Italian circuit in the #998 BMW M4 GT3. However, a right front wheel defect after the last pit stop dashed all hopes and left the trio hopelessly behind. The sister #98 car had to forego the start after an accident in qualifying on Sunday morning.

Starting from tenth place, Augusto Farfus largely kept out of the chaotic start and quickly moved up to sixth place. By the first driver change to Dan Harper, “Gustl” had gained two more positions. The Brit continued the advance with a flawless performance and took the lead for the first time on lap 59, before handing over the #998 BMW M4 GT3 to Max Hesse one lap later. Unfortunately, Hesse had to pit again just one lap after that. Instead of fighting for a podium spot and attacking the top of the overall standings in the Endurance Cup for the team and the drivers, they ended up in 27^th place.

For the sister #98 car, the race weekend had already ended in qualifying in the morning. The young Dutchman Maxime Oosten slid off the track with the car, causing the #98 BMW M4 GT3 to be damaged beyond repair for the race. Together with his experienced compatriot Robin Frijns, the 20‑year‑old was replacing the regular drivers Philipp Eng from Austria and Brit Nick Yelloly, who were unavailable due to a scheduling conflict with the IMSA series in the USA, alongside the two‑time German DTM Champion Marco Wittmann.

Hans-Peter Naundorf, Team Principal ROWE RACING: “Sometimes motorsport is tough. As last year, our team gave a very strong performance at Monza this time as well. It seems we used up the bit of luck you need in sports with the opening win at Le Castellet this year. The fact that the #98 car couldn’t even start the race was bitter. Congratulations to Team WRT on the surprising first victory of a Bronze Cup car.”

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