BMW Confirms Farfus, Van der Linde for Macau

Photos: BMW

BMW has confirmed a two-car factory effort for next month’s FIA GT World Cup in Macau, with Augusto Farfus and Sheldon van der Linde lining up in BMW M4 GT3 machinery.

Farfus, who claimed an emotional victory on the Guia Circuit in 2018, will run with ROWE Racing while van der Linde will make his Macau debut in a Team WRT-entered car.

Both teams have previous history and success in Macau, with Team WRT having won in 2016 with Laurens Vanthoor in an Audi R8 LMS ultra, with ROWE scoring multiple podium finishes, including with two cars in the most recent running as a World Cup event in 2019.

The Nov. 16-19 event will mark the M4 GT3’s debut in Macau, meanwhile.

“ROWE Racing and BMW M Team WRT are among the best GT teams in the world and both have a lot of experience in Macau,” said BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos.

“The same can definitely be said of Augusto Farfus as a driver. I am sure that he will show his class there once again, as well as being able to offer Sheldon van der Linde valuable advice on his debut in Macau.

“Augusto’s tips, the support of BMW M Team WRT and Sheldon’s own outstanding talent will ensure that he soon finds his feet at what is a new circuit for him. I am confident of that.”

Farfus’ win in 2018 came in the final race for longtime Schnitzer Motorsport team boss Charly Lamm, who passed away just one month after his retirement from racing.

“Macau is a magical place, and a very emotional one for me personally,” Farfus said. “The event is definitely one of the highlights of the season and I feel honored to be able to represent BMW M Motorsport again.

“I have enjoyed a lot of success there in the past, particularly my victory in 2018. I am confident that we will have a very strong package with my friends at ROWE Racing and the BMW M4 GT3.”

Van der Linde added: “I grew up with the race in Macau and watched it every year. I always hoped that I would one day get the chance to drive there myself.

“That opportunity has come along, and I am incredibly grateful to BMW M Motorsport and my partner Shell for making this possible.

“I will listen carefully to the advice of my friend and fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus, who has a wealth of experience there. That will hopefully speed up my learning process! I am counting down the days until the event is finally here.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John