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Daytona (USA), 24-28 January 2024. Rolex 24, Daytona International Speedway, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship #1 BMW M4 GT3, GTD, Paul Miller Racing, Bryan Sellers, Madison Snow, Neil Verhagen, Sheldon van der Linde.

12h Sebring: BMW M Team RLL returns to the site of the first podium success for the BMW M Hybrid V8.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Tuesday March 12, 2024

The story one year ago was the first podium in the second race after the second place finish for the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA). This coming weekend, BMW M Team RLL returns to the Sebring International Raceway for the second race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season

Munich. The story one year ago was the first podium in the second race after the second place finish for the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA). This coming weekend, BMW M Team RLL returns to the Sebring International Raceway for the second race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The goal is to repeat last year's success and celebrate the first podium of the season in 2024 as well.

In the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, the two regular drivers Philipp Eng (AUT) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) will take turns with Augusto Farfus (BRA). In the sister #25 car, last year's runners-up Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) will join forces with Maxime Martin (BEL) for the endurance classic in Florida.

In the GTD-PRO category, BMW M works drivers Madison Snow and Neil Verhagen, together with Bryan Sellers (all USA), will fight for the second podium for Paul Miller Racing in the second race of the season. At Daytona, the #1 BMW M4 GT3 finished in third place. Good omen: Last year, Paul Miller Racing won in Sebring in the GTD class. This time, BMW M works driver Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, and Jake Walker (all USA) will compete for Turner Motorsport in the #96 BMW M4 GT3 in this category.

The 12 Hours of Sebring will start on Saturday at 9:40 local time (14:40 CET).

Qatar, 29 February to 2nd March 2024. BMW M Motorsport. FIA World Endurance Championship, FIA WEC, Lusail International Circuit, BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, Hypercar, LMDh, Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello, Marco Wittmann, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, Hypercar, LMDh, Sheldon van der Linde, René Rast, Robin Frijns.

FIA WEC in Qatar: Challenging season opener for BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team WRT.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Sunday March 3, 2024

BMW M Motorsport commenced the 2024 season in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Qatar 1812 km at the Lusail International Circuit near Doha (UAE). In the Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT enters two BMW M Hybrid V8s. However, the debut race of the prototype in the FIA WEC presented challenges.

Doha. BMW M Motorsport commenced the 2024 season in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Qatar 1812 km at the Lusail International Circuit near Doha (UAE). In the Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT enters two BMW M Hybrid V8s. However, the debut race of the prototype in the FIA WEC presented challenges, and both cars finished outside the top ten after nearly ten hours of racing. In contrast, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 narrowly missed the podium in the new LMGT3 class by only a few seconds.

The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 concluded the season opener in 12th place. BMW M works drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), René Rast (GER), and Robin Frijns (NED) took turns behind the wheel. Their teammates Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Marco Wittmann (GER) finished in 16th position in the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 after the car required a brief repair in the pitbox about an hour before the end.

The Team WRT #46 BMW M4 GT3, driven by BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL), along with Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), fought for the podium in the new LMGT3 class until the end. Ultimately, the trio finished in fourth place, just a few seconds behind the top three. The #31 BMW M4 GT3 reached the finish line in sixth position in class. In that car, BMW M works driver Augusto Farfus (BRA) shared the cockpit with Sean Gelael (INA) and Darren Leung (GBR).

The second of a total of eight races in the FIA WEC 2024, the 6 Hours of Imola (ITA), will take place on 21st April

Qatar, 26-27 February 2024. FIA World Endurance Championship, FIA WEC, prologue, Lusail International Circuit, BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, Hypercar, LMDh, Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello, Marco Wittmann.

FIA WEC: BMW M Motorsport Media Guide, video interviews and initial impressions after the Prologue in Qatar.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Friday March 1, 2024

Next weekend will see BMW M Motorsport return to centre stage in endurance racing at the season-opener in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). The BMW M Team WRT will be racing with two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the Hypercar class at the Qatar 1812 km. A prototype from BMW M Motorsport will be battling for overall wins for the first time in 25 years.

Doha. Next weekend will see BMW M Motorsport return to centre stage in endurance racing at the season-opener in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). The BMW M Team WRT will be racing with two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the Hypercar class at the Qatar 1812 km. A prototype from BMW M Motorsport will be battling for overall wins for the first time in 25 years. The BMW M Motorsport Media Guide attached to this press release contains a detailed introduction to the BMW M Hybrid V8 and the BMW M4 GT3, which will be competing in the LMGT3 category. It also features everything you need to know about teams, drivers, and the 20th BMW Art Car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) in June 2024.

On Monday and Tuesday, the two BMW M Hybrid V8s and the pair of BMW M4 GT3s each completed around 500 test laps during the Prologue at the Lusail International Circuit (QAT) as the team provided the best possible preparation for the first race on Saturday (start time: 09:00 CET).

Reactions to the Prologue:

Qatar, 26-27 February 2024. FIA World Endurance Championship, FIA WEC, prologue, Lusail International Circuit, BMW M Team WRT, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, Hypercar, LMDh, Sheldon van der Linde, René Rast, Robin Frijns.

BMW M Motorsport Media Guide - FIA World Endurance Championship 2024.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Friday March 1, 2024

The BMW M Motorsport Media Guide contains a detailed introduction to the BMW M Hybrid V8 and the BMW M4 GT3, which will be competing in the LMGT3 category. It also features everything you need to know about teams, drivers, and the 20th BMW Art Car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) in June 2024.

Attachments:
BMW M Motorsport Media Guide - FIA WEC	[BMW M Motorsport Media Guide - FIA WEC]	5048 kB

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Bathurst (AUS), 15th to 18th February 2024. BMW M Motorsport, Bathurst 12 Hour, Intercontinental GT Challenge. BMW M Team WRT, #32 BMW M4 GT3, Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Charles Weerts (BEL), #46 BMW M4 GT3, Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL), Raffaele Marciello (SUI).

Bathurst 12 Hour: BMW M Team WRT narrowly misses the podium in a turbulent race.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Sunday February 18, 2024

BMW M Team WRT showed strong speed at the season opener of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst (AUS), but was unable to reap the rewards in a race marked by incidents and changeable weather.

Bathurst. BMW M Team WRT showed strong speed at the season opener of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst (AUS), but was unable to reap the rewards in a race marked by incidents and changeable weather. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Charles Weerts, and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) started the 12-hour race from pole position in the #32 BMW M4 GT3 but were forced to retire after an accident. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin (BEL), and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) fought for a podium spot in an exciting final stage up to the last lap but ultimately had to settle for fifth place.

Throughout the race the BMW XM Safety Car repeatedly led the field after accidents, for the last time about 40 minutes before the end. That ignited a fierce battle for the podium places in which Martin briefly moved into third place with a bold overtaking manoeuvre, but had to relinquish it immediately due to a slight braking error on the still-slippery track. Thunderstorms with heavy rain showers characterised the second half of the race. Only in the last hour did the asphalt dry up again.

For the sister #32 car, the weekend had started perfectly. On Saturday, van der Linde secured pole position for the #32 BMW M4 GT3 in the Top-10 Pole Shootout, giving the team reason to celebrate. Martin qualified the car #46 in eighth place.

The race started on Sunday morning at 5:45 a.m. local time in darkness. Car #32 maintained the lead in the early stages, while #46 continued to move forward. It wasn't long before both BMW M4 GT3s were in the top three. However, after nearly five hours of racing, there was a moment of shock for BMW M Team WRT when the #32 car crashed heavily into the wall after unfortunate contact with a lapped car. Weerts, who was driving at the time, was fortunately uninjured, but for him and his teammates van der Linde and Vanthoor, the race was over prematurely.

Detail shot of the 20th BMW Art Car by Julie Mehretu in the creation process. Photo: André Josselin and Tina Paffen © BMW AG

FIA WEC: The BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car will bear the starting number 20 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Tuesday February 6, 2024

The countdown for the unveiling of the 20th BMW Art Car is underway. On 21st May, the BMW M Hybrid V8, designed by artist Julie Mehretu and set to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15th/16th June, will be presented at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. The artist is already providing glimpses into her work. Additionally, it is now confirmed that the Art Car will carry the starting number 20.

Munich. The countdown for the unveiling of the 20th BMW Art Car is underway. On 21st May, the BMW M Hybrid V8, designed by artist Julie Mehretu and set to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15th/16th June, will be presented at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. The artist is already providing glimpses into her work. Additionally, it is now confirmed that the Art Car will carry the starting number 20 and will be driven by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Robin Frijns (NED), and René Rast (GER).

The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 will be the first Art Car since the 2017 season, where the BMW M6 GTLM designed by John Baldessari raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA), followed by the virtual BMW M6 GT3 Art Car by Cao Fei at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau (CHN). In the past, the most famous BMW Art Cars have participated in Le Mans: in 1975, Alexander Calder’s BMW 3.0 CSL, in 1976, Frank Stella’s BMW 3.0 CSL, in 1977, Roy Lichtenstein’s BMW 320i Turbo, in 1979, Andy Warhol’s BMW M1, in 1999, Jenny Holzer’s BMW V12 LMR, and in 2010, Jeff Koons’ BMW M3 GT2. This illustrious collection is now enriched by Julie Mehretu’s BMW M Hybrid V8.

BMW M Motorsport, Ahmad Al-Harthy (OMA)

BMW M Team WRT presents BMW M4 GT3 drivers for the FIA WEC and GT World Challenge Europe.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Friday February 2, 2024

During a media event at Spa (BEL), BMW M Team WRT introduced the BMW M4 GT3 drivers for the 2024 season in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS (GTWC).

Spa. During a media event at Spa (BEL), BMW M Team WRT introduced the BMW M4 GT3 drivers for the 2024 season in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS (GTWC). BMW M works driver Maxime Martin (BEL) will participate in both the FIA WEC and GTWC alongside Valentino Rossi (ITA). In the LMGT3 class, the line-up is completed by three drivers: Sean Gelael (INA), Ahmad Al-Harthy (OMA), and Darren Leung (GBR). In the GTWC, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (both BEL) will contest the entire season, joined by Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Raffaele Marciello (SUI) and Jens Klingmann (GER) in the Endurance Cup.

The FIA WEC regulations stipulate that each LMGT3 car must have drivers from all FIA categories. Specifically, this means that in addition to a driver with Platinum or Gold status, a Silver and a Bronze-rated driver must form the crew of a car. In the BMW M Team WRT #31 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M factory driver Augusto Farfus (BRA) shares the cockpit with Silver driver Sean Gelael, BMW M Ambassador for Indonesia, and Bronze driver Darren Leung. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, alongside Silver-rated Valentino Rossi (ITA), Maxime Martin and Ahmad Al-Harthy will be in action.

In the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts, as an established duo, are aiming for the title. They participate in both the Sprint Cup and the Endurance Cup. For the endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), they will be supported by Sheldon van der Linde. Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin, and Raffaele Marciello compete in the Endurance Cup, with Rossi and Martin also participating in selected Sprint Cup events. Klingmann will compete in the Bronze class of the Endurance Cup together with Al-Harthy and Sam de Haan (GBR).

ROWE Racing to compete in GT World Challenge Europe and the 24h Nürburgring again in 2024.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Thursday February 1, 2024

ROWE Racing will once again represent BMW M Motorsport in the 2024 season at the two major endurance classics at the Nürburgring (GER) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). The goal is defending the title in the Ardennes and, after finishing second in 2023, launching an assault on the second Nürburgring triumph after 2020

Munich. ROWE Racing will once again represent BMW M Motorsport in the 2024 season at the two major endurance classics at the Nürburgring (GER) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). The goal is defending the title in the Ardennes and, after finishing second in 2023, launching an assault on the second Nürburgring triumph after 2020. Similar to last year, the team led by team manager Hans-Peter Naundorf will compete in the five races of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup with two BMW M4 GT3s. Two cars will also be in action on the Nordschleife.

In the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) aim to defend their jointly achieved victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 2023. They will share the cockpit of a BMW M4 GT3 in four races of the Fanatec GT Endurance Cup. Due to a schedule clash between the event at Monza (ITA) in September and the IMSA Indianapolis (USA) race, Eng and Yelloly cannot compete together with Wittmann that weekend. The driver line-up for that race will be announced at a later date.

In the team’s other BMW M4 GT3, Dan Harper (GBR) and Max Hesse (GER) will once again hit the track. Augusto Farfus (BRA) joins as the third driver, returning to ROWE Racing. He first raced with the squad in 2022 and in 2023, he competed for the team at the Nürburgring and in Macau (CHN). Farfus reunites with Hesse and Harper, with whom he previously shared the cockpit as a mentor of the BMW Junior Team on the Nordschleife.

For the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring, seven BMW M works drivers will compete in the two BMW M4 GT3s. Alongside GTWC drivers Wittmann and Farfus, these are Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor (both BEL), and the two new additions Robin Frijns (NED) and Raffaele Marciello (SUI).

GTD PRO podium for the BMW M4 GT3 – Technical problems set back BMW M Hybrid V8s.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Tuesday January 30, 2024

At the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series), the Daytona 24 Hours (USA), the BMW M Team RLL missed the hoped-for podium finishes with the BMW M Hybrid V8.

Daytona. At the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series), the Daytona 24 Hours (USA), the BMW M Team RLL missed the hoped-for podium finishes with the BMW M Hybrid V8. Although the two LMDh cars were able to keep up with the speed of their competitors and stay in the leading group of the GTP category until into the night, technical problems then set both prototypes back. Paul Miller Racing had reason to celebrate. The North American BMW M Motorsport team finished third on the podium in the GTD PRO class

Laguna Seca (USA), 29 April - 1st May. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, BMW M4 GT3, GTD class, Turner Motorsport, Bill Auberlen.

BMW M Motorsport introduces the works driver line-up for the 2024 season.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Friday January 19, 2024

The BMW M Motorsport works driver line-up for the 2024 season has been confirmed. A total of 22 top-rated drivers from twelve nations will be racing around the world as BMW M works drivers.

Munich. The BMW M Motorsport works driver line-up for the 2024 season has been confirmed. A total of 22 top-rated drivers from twelve nations will be racing around the world as BMW M works drivers. Raffaele Marciello (SUI) and Robin Frijns (NED) are the two top-quality newcomers. The North American works drivers Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley and Madison Snow (all USA) are also fixtures in the line-up for 2024.

Having recorded numerous successes in endurance racing and titles in a number of race series, Marciello and Frijns are now joining BMW M Motorsport. In addition to battling for overall wins with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the FIA World Endurance Championship, they will prove to be valuable additions in GT3 racing. This versatility is a defining feature of the whole line-up of BMW M works drivers.

FIA WEC – Hypercar class: BMW M Motorsport completes its squad of BMW M works drivers for the 2024 season.

Jeff Seabrook 2024 FIA WEC Wednesday January 17, 2024

BMW M Motorsport has completed its squad of BMW M works drivers who will line up in the Hypercar class when the manufacturer returns to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in 2024.

Munich. BMW M Motorsport has completed its squad of BMW M works drivers who will line up in the Hypercar class when the manufacturer returns to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in 2024. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) had already been confirmed, and are now joined in the top class of the FIA WEC by Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Marco Wittmann (GER), Robin Frijns (NED) and René Rast (GER) in the two BMW M Hybrid V8s run by BMW M Team WRT.

Vanthoor will alternate at the wheel of the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 with BMW M Motorsport newcomer Marciello and Wittmann. Van der Linde shares the driving duties in the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 with Frijns and Rast.

Quotes on the FIA WEC line-up: