Farfus: Lamm “Was With Me in the Car”

Augusto Farfus paid tribute to legendary Schnitzer Motorsport team principal Karl ‘Charly’ Lamm after scoring BMW’s GT Le Mans class victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The Brazilian, who shared the result with Team RLL co-drivers Connor de Philippi, Colton Herta and Philipp Eng, dedicated the result to Lamm who passed away suddenly on Thursday at the age of 63.

Farfus made the move of the race on James Calado in the Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE with two hours remaining to claim the first-ever endurance win for the BMW M8 GTE.

“Today, we had a special co-driver in Charly Lamm, who passed last week,” said Farfus, who won Lamm’s final race in charge of Schnitzer at Macau last year.

“For me, he was much more than a friend, much more than a racing enthusiast. He was with me in the car.

“We will celebrate because I’m sure he would be the first one to celebrate, and he will not be forgotten for what he did and everything I learned. I’m sure Charly is applauding all of us.”

Eng, who drove for Lamm’s Schnitzer team for a season in ADAC GT Masters two years ago, also dedicated the victory to his former team principal.

“This one is for you, Charly,” said the BMW DTM driver.

“He was supporting us a lot. I was happy to be racing with him one year and I learned a lot. I could feel he was crossing his fingers for us today.”

BMW M8 GTE’s First 24-Hour Victory “A Milestone”

Eng praised Farfus’s late-race exploits and described the car’s first 24-hour success as “a special win” for the manufacturer.

The car debuted last year and won two IMSA sprint races in the hands of de Phillippi and Alexander Sims, but had yet to break through in an endurance contest.

“What Augusto did in the last couple of hours was outstanding, how he overtook the Ferrari I have never seen a move like this before,” he said.

“It was something to be very proud of and is a special win for all of us.

“Many of us have been involved in the development process of the M8 GTE since very early, so to be celebrating this success now with BMW and RLL is a milestone.

“I am very proud of this, so thanks to everyone. It’s pretty emotional.”