BMW considering GTP program shake-up for 2026

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

RLL has represented BMW at a factory level since 2009 and has since won 24 races, including a class victory at the 2020 Rolex 24 At Daytona while competing in GTLM. It also won both the manufacturers’ and teams’ championships in the ALMS’ GT category in 2010, and swept all three GT titles in 2011. More recently, the team was crowned the IMSA GTLM Michelin North American Endurance Champion in 2020.

However, 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. Although it has collected race wins at Watkins Glen and Indianapolis since the program debuted, it has failed to convert three straight poles into a single win to kick off the 2025 season.

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

PMM is currently competing in the IMSA LMP2 class for the first time alongside its commitments as Corvette’s GTD PRO representative with the Z06 GT3.R. It has been actively seeking a factory GTP program in recent months.

RLL, meanwhile, is believed to still be involved in talks with BMW about retaining the contract. Should BMW decide to make a change, it would leave RLL with seven races left in the top class with the M Hybrid V8, including three Endurance Cup rounds at Watkins Glen, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta. BMW had considered bringing RLL to Europe to run a third car for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, but that plan was eventually shelved.

This evaluation process by BMW, which is widely known to be conducted on a yearly basis, coincides with RLL’s recent appointment of Jay Frye as its new president. The former IndyCar president joined the team in the wake of a split with Steve Eriksen, who acted as its chief operating officer from January 2023 to April 2025.

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

All this follows a swathe of major moves across the Hypercar and GTP categories over the past 12 months. Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing parted ways at the end of the 2024 season, making way for Wayne Taylor Racing and Hertz Team JOTA, while Meyer Shank Racing returned to Acura for the 2025 season in response to WTR’s shift from racing with the ARX-06 to the V-Series.R.

Lamborghini has also changed its SC63 LMDh program service provider over the off-season, with Riley Technologies taking over the reins for 2025 following a breakdown in the relationship between Iron Lynx and the Italian brand.