Philipp Eng to End Partnership With BMW After 2026
The long-time factory driver will leave the manufacturer at the end of next year to pursue new opportunities in GT racing.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Motorsports
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Factory driver Philipp Eng will conclude his eleven-year association with BMW M Motorsport at the end of 2026. The veteran pilot plans to explore new professional challenges within the competitive GT racing landscape.
Why it matters
Eng has been a central figure in the brand's international motorsport programs since 2016, contributing to multiple high-profile endurance victories. His departure marks the end of a significant era for BMW's factory driver roster.
Eng secured victories at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2016, 2018, and 2023, along with a 24 Hours of Daytona win in 2019. In 2025, he achieved a fourth-place finish in the IMSA overall standings while piloting the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The players
Philipp Eng
He is an Austrian professional racing driver who established his career through the Formula BMW junior series before becoming a decorated endurance competitor.
BMW M Motorsport
This is the performance and racing division of the German automobile manufacturer BMW, responsible for the company's global racing activities and vehicle development.
The details
Beginning his journey with the brand in the junior ranks, Eng transitioned into a full-time factory role in 2016. Since then, he has balanced commitments across the DTM series and the IMSA GTP class.
Timeline
Eng won the Formula BMW World Final in 2007.
Eng joined BMW as a factory driver in 2016.
Eng competed in DTM from 2018 to 2022.
Eng finished fourth in the 2025 IMSA overall standings.
Eng will leave BMW at the end of 2026.
Season Trajectory
This move reflects the competitive nature of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP class as manufacturers and drivers reorganize rosters for upcoming seasons. Eng's exit shifts the factory driver lineup for BMW, impacting the brand's long-term endurance development strategy.
Eng's departure at the end of 2026 leaves a vacancy in the BMW factory lineup for the 2027 endurance calendar. Fans and analysts will watch for which GT racing team secures his services as he departs the IMSA GTP competitive structure.
The takeaway
Eng's career trajectory underscores the importance of versatile experience across both sprint and endurance formats. Racing professionals often leverage deep factory relationships to pivot into new technical challenges as series regulations evolve.
Further reading
For more updates on professional racing moves and series developments, visit the Motorsports section.
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