In a thrilling display of resilience and strategy, Maro Engel finally clinched victory at the Bathurst 12 Hour race, capping off a remarkable comeback that left fans on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it sheer skill or a stroke of luck that propelled Engel and his team to the top after starting in a disappointing 29th place? Let’s dive into the details.
The race’s turning point came with just 40 minutes remaining, during the penultimate Safety Car period. The #32 Team WRT BMW M4 made a bold decision to stay out on the track, rocketing to the lead in a move that would set the stage for the dramatic finale. Kelvin van der Linde, piloting the 75 Express Mercedes-AMG alongside Jule Gounon, led the pack to the green flag—but chaos was just around the corner.
At Hell Corner, Gounon attempted an aggressive inside move on the leading BMW, only to be blocked by van der Linde. The two cars made contact, sending both drivers wide and opening the door for Maxime Martin in the #888 Team GMR Mercedes-AMG. Martin seized the opportunity, shooting through to take the lead. And this is the part most people miss: Martin’s patience and his team’s flawless execution were the unsung heroes of this victory.
From that moment on, Martin, Engel, and Mikael Grenier dominated, crossing the finish line unchallenged. The trio’s triumph was all the more remarkable given their starting position, which was marred by technical issues during qualifying. ‘It’s amazing,’ Martin reflected. ‘To be honest, starting the weekend, I don’t think we were expected to win. But the last restart, I was just patient. They were quite hot, and at the end, my team did zero mistakes—a fantastic race and a first victory for us three.’
Engel, who had previously lived in Australia during a brief Supercars stint with Erebus Motorsport in 2013, was overjoyed. ‘I’ve waited a long time for this, and it’s every bit as special as I dreamt it would be,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t the weekend or the run plan we had envisioned, with lots of improvisation starting from qualifying. But the end result? We won the race. I’m so happy. A big thank you to Mercedes-AMG, Team GMR, and my fantastic teammates—they drove their hearts out.’
The podium also saw history being made as the Bronze squad High Class Racing, comprising Dorian Boccolacci, Anders Fjordbach, and Kerong Li, secured second place. This marked the first time a Bronze entry has ever finished on the Bathurst 12 Hour podium. Bold question for the audience: Does this achievement signal a shift in the competitive landscape of endurance racing, or was it a one-off triumph?
Third place went to Team WRT’s other BMW M4, driven by Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Valentino Rossi. For the second consecutive year, the #46 car fell just short of victory, leaving fans wondering what might have been.
As the dust settles on this unforgettable race, one thing is clear: the Bathurst 12 Hour continues to deliver drama, surprises, and moments of pure brilliance. What’s your take? Did Engel’s win redefine the race’s legacy, or was it simply a perfect storm of strategy and circumstance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
