Report: Pipo Derani Not An Option For BMW M Motorsport GTP, Hypercar

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We are well underway when it comes to teams announcing their driver lineups for the 2025 IMSA and WEC campaigns, with Porsche Penske, Meyer Shank Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing already pulling back the curtain on their plans for the upcoming season. 

There are still plenty of other programs that have yet to do the same, to go along with a number of drivers who are still without an official seat secured for the new year. One of those drivers that remains on the open market is multiple-time champion Pipo Derani.

All the way back in June, the 31-year-old Brazilian announced that he would be leaving Action Express Racing at the conclusion of the season. The FIA Platinum driver has a long track record of success in IMSA and a huge question regarding the upcoming season surrounds who will secure Derani's services. According to a recent newsbit, it seems that we can cross another team off the list of potential suitors. 

Speaking to Sportscar365.com, BMW M Motorsport president Andreas Roos detailed how the manufacturer is approaching the upcoming season for the BMW M Hybrid V8 between Team RLL in North America and Team WRT in Europe. BMW are wanting to follow a similar method to that of Porsche and Cadillac; aligning their lineups for their GTP and Hypercar programs in order to create more familiarity between the drivers and teams. Snuck into their story, though, was a small tidbit that "it is understood that Pipo Derani "has held unsuccessful talks with the German brand" in regards to filling a potential seat for either team.

Now, does that mean the two sides couldn't agree to terms on a contract, or that BMW approached Derani about joining the operation and he flat-out declined? Who knows for sure, but as it stands it doesn't appear that the two are a match. Nick Yelloly has already departed to link up with Meyer Shank Racing, and BMW is seemingly open to any combination of in-house talent or talent from the outside when it comes to filling out their roster.

If BMW won't be the landing spot for Derani, that leaves the Aston Martin Heart of Racing and the Iron Lynx Lamborghini as the lone factory-backed programs that have yet to announce their drivers for next season. With both teams set to run cars in IMSA and the WEC, could we see Derani land behind either the Aston Martin or the SC63? I wouldn't say no to seeing Derani pilot the V12 Valkyrie on track, I mean come on who would?  

Where do you think Derani will end up in 2025?


(photo via sportscardaily.com)


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