Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber missed the win at the IMSA Battle on the Bricks, as Sheldon van der Linde’s BMW M Team WRT vaulted to victory on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.439‑mile, 14‑turn road course.
Late‑Race Twist at Indy
From the grid’s second row, Aitken steered the #31 Whelen Cadillac V‑Series R around the 14‑turn layout, staying behind pole‑sitter Tom Blomqvist in the #60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX‑06 for around 40 minutes. At the two‑hour mark, a decisive outside move in Turn 7 granted Aitken the front‑row, which he held through a flawless pit sequence.
The fresher co‑driver, Earl Bamber, preserved the advantage after the stop, pushing the Cadillac toward a possible triumph. However, a 2.926‑second slip in the closing minutes cost the pair the checkered flag.
Sheldon van der Linde, piloting the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, erupted from third place, relentlessly carving through traffic to meet Bamber’s lap. With 5:30 remaining, van der Linde seized a split‑second gap at Turn 12. Splitting slower traffic, he dove to the inside, forcing Bamber out of the lead and claiming a 2‑lap victory.
Championship Dynamics Ahead of Petit Le Mans
Although Bamber’s finish was second, it reinforced Jack Aitken’s championship margin; the 147‑point lead over Laurin Heinrich is now a sizable cushion as the season nears its finale in two weeks.
During the post‑race interview, Aitken praised his partner’s resilience, noting that the team’s approach held steady under pressure: “We kept to a proven process, which let Earl flourish in the final stint.”
Bamber highlighted the balancing act between fighting for the win and securing points for the championship: “We aimed to clinch the manufacturers’ title for Cadillac, which is close. Even a second‑place finish preserves Jack’s points advantage.”
The race outcome leaves the #31 car poised for a strong finish at Petit Le Mans, while the BMW and Porsche teams are already eyeing the remaining fixtures on the calendar.
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