#25: BMW M Team RLL, BMW M Hybrid V8, GTP: Marco Wittmann, Sheldon van der Linde. LAT Image for IMSA
IMSA Rumors

IMSA Rumor: BMW might drop RLL for Ganassi or Pratt Miller (Update)

Posted by AR1 staff

BMW has confirmed that it will end its factory partnership in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP class with Rahal Letterman Lanigan at the conclusion of the season.

“At the moment we cannot announce our program for 2026 because there are internal processes at BMW that make it necessary for us to wait,” a statement by BMW provided to Sportscar365 read.

“We can confirm that we end the GTP program with Rahal after this season. But there are different options where we are still working together and we want to keep on working together.

“[Team RLL] is also doing the [BMW] Classic program for BMW of North America and they’re also doing the [North America] parts truck and all that stuff.

“We don’t want to completely end the collaboration. We’ll try to find solutions.”

April 17, 2025 

German automaker BMW is evaluating a switch of IMSA GTP service provider for the 2026 season, according to Dailysportscar sources, with Rahal Letterman Lanigan in line to potentially be replaced by one of a selection of teams currently in discussions with the brand.

Since stepping up to the top class with the M Hybrid V8 in 2023, RLL has struggled to consistently compete at the sharp end of the field, though it has collected race wins at Watkins Glen and Indianapolis since the program debuted.

RACER understands via multiple sources that three teams have been shortlisted to potentially replace the Indiana-based outfit. Chip Ganassi Racing, a free agent, is amongst the leading candidates, though according to a key voice, longtime Corvette factory GT outfit Pratt Miller Motorsports is considered to be another strong contender.

RLL, meanwhile, is believed to still be involved in talks with BMW about retaining the contract.

A final decision is expected to be made by BMW this summer. Dailysportscar approached BMW for comment on this subject, and it politely declined.

The RLL BMWs started on the front row last weekend in Long Beach, but the Penske Porsche team beat them in the race.