Philipp Eng will leave BMW M Motorsport when his works driver contract expires at the end of the 2026 season. Both sides have agreed not to renew it. The 36-year-old Austrian ends an eleven-year stint that included three overall wins at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, a class win at Daytona and a central role in BMW’s return to top-class prototype racing.

An agreed split after the 2026 season

BMW M Motorsport and Philipp Eng (AUT) will go their separate ways from 2027. According to BMW, the two parties have agreed not to extend the works driver contract that runs out at the end of the 2026 season. The manufacturer says Eng will be taking on new challenges, but it has not said where he is going next.

Eng joined BMW M Motorsport as a works driver in 2016. He leaves as one of the brand’s most successful GT drivers.

A Spa winner from his first year

Eng won straight away. In his first season as a BMW works driver he won the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) in the ROWE Racing BMW M6 GT3. He won the Belgian endurance classic again in 2018 and 2023, which gives him three overall victories there.

In 2019 he added a GTLM class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA), driving the BMW M8 GTE for BMW M Team RLL.

Four seasons in the DTM

Between 2018 and 2022, Eng raced in the DTM for four seasons. Across 72 races he took one victory and five podium finishes.

Part of BMW’s prototype comeback

From 2023, Eng was a key part of BMW M Motorsport’s return to the top prototype class with the BMW M Hybrid V8. In four seasons in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, he scored two wins and five podiums, two of those podiums in the current season. In 2025 he finished fourth in the overall standings, sharing the car with Dries Vanthoor (BEL).

Roots in Formula BMW

Eng’s ties to BMW go back to his teenage years. He raced in the Formula BMW junior series from 2006 to 2008 and won the Formula BMW World Final in 2007. His prize the following year was a test in the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s Formula 1 car.

Farewell words from both sides

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, thanked Eng and praised his role in the IMSA programme:

“In the IMSA Series, he was a key component over four seasons in our development into a top team that can now consistently compete for victories and podium places. I wish Philipp all the best for the next stage of his career and look forward to seeing him again soon at the racetrack.”

Eng picked out his wins across several championships:

“I’m delighted to have won races in every series I’ve competed in – be it the DTM, the IMSA Series, the GT World Challenge or the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Particular highlights were, of course, my three victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and my success at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Now it is time for me to turn my attention to new and exciting challenges.”

What it means

Eng’s exit means BMW M Motorsport has a seat to fill in its works driver squad for 2027, including in its IMSA GTP programme, where he has raced since the BMW M Hybrid V8 arrived. BMW has not announced who will replace him.

Facts: Philipp Eng at BMW M Motorsport

  • Works driver: 2016 to end of 2026 season (eleven years)
  • 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps: overall wins in 2016, 2018 and 2023
  • 24 Hours of Daytona: GTLM class win in 2019 (BMW M8 GTE, BMW M Team RLL)
  • DTM (2018–2022): four seasons, 72 races, one win, five podiums
  • IMSA GTP (from 2023): four seasons, two wins, five podiums; fourth overall in 2025
  • Formula BMW World Final winner in 2007

Eng will race for BMW M Motorsport until the end of the 2026 season.

Source: www.press.bmwgroup.com