MINI is once again embracing its motorsport heritage with an audacious return to the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. Set to take place from 21 June 2025, this marks the brand’s continued collaboration with racing specialists Bulldog Racing, as well as an inspired new partnership with the creative minds at DEUS Ex Machina.
Following a triumphant class victory in 2024 with the near-production #317 MINI John Cooper Works Pro, MINI is aiming to replicate—and build on—that success at the 53rd edition of the endurance challenge, widely regarded as one of the most grueling motorsport tests in the world. Affectionately known as the “Green Hell,” the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s blend of high-speed straights, technical turns, and relentless elevation changes demands nothing short of excellence.
A Livery Born from Bold Expression
This year, MINI is turning heads before the race even begins. In a creative leap that fuses performance with artistic expression, the brand has partnered with DEUS Ex Machina—a name synonymous with free-spirited, detail-driven design—to craft a distinctive new racing livery.
Clad in a reduced yet impactful black-and-white palette, the MINI John Cooper Works race car now sports a bold “DEUS” logo across its flanks, transforming the vehicle into what can only be described as a moving sketchbook. Playful, raw, and utterly unique, the hand-drawn elements scrawled across windows and panels bring a tactile, conceptual edge to the design. According to MINI, this design is more than a one-off visual flourish—it’s a teaser of what’s to come in the evolving MINI x DEUS collaboration.
Stefan Richmann, Head of MINI, notes:
“Our models have always been characterised by the combination of design and dynamics… Thanks to this collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, we are setting new, exciting impulses for MINI fans and motorsport enthusiasts.”
Designworks, a BMW Group subsidiary, played a crucial role in refining the DEUS concept for the racetrack. Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design, adds:
“Successful brand collaborations arise when partners inspire and drive each other forward… The DEUS livery of the MINI John Cooper Works is just the first proof of this.”
Keeping the Spirit of Racing Alive
While the aesthetics are fresh, MINI’s determination on the track remains unwavering. This latest campaign is rooted in a rich motorsport lineage that stretches back to the 1960s. It was in 1964 that the classic Mini, engineered by the legendary John Cooper, stunned the world by winning the Monte Carlo Rally. What followed were two further victories in 1965 and 1967—historic moments that forever changed perceptions of what a small car could achieve.
Today, the MINI John Cooper Works models proudly carry that legacy forward. Powered by a performance-oriented four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and fine-tuned for aerodynamic efficiency, they embody the racing DNA that first catapulted MINI to rally fame.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 24-hour race at the Nürburgring promises not just a test of speed and endurance, but a celebration of brand identity—of racing spirit, collaboration, and creativity. The partnership between MINI, Bulldog Racing, and DEUS Ex Machina sets the stage for a compelling new chapter, blending motorsport excellence with avant-garde design.
Whether it’s in the curves of the Nordschleife or the sweeping brushstrokes of a livery, MINI’s passion for performance and individuality remains unmistakable. The countdown to Green Hell begins—MINI is ready to make history once more.
