- BMW M Team WRT takes its second shot at the podium with the BMW M Hybrid V8 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- The BMW M Hybrid V8 and the BMW M4 GT3 EVO are prepared for the season highlight during the official test day
The month of endurance racing highlights has begun. With the scrutineering in the city centre and the official test day, BMW M Motorsport has kicked off the mega event of the year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA, 14th/15th June). BMW M Team WRT is fielding two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the Hypercar class. In the LMGT3 class, the EVO version of the BMW M4 GT3 is making its debut. The goal for both cars is the podium.
Around the race, which is once again expected to draw more than 300,000 spectators, BMW M Motorsport is offering an extensive support programme. At BMW Welt in Munich (GER), there will be a public viewing event. The Le Mans race week will be immediately followed by two more 24-hour classics at the Nürburgring (GER, 21st/22nd June) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL, 28th/29th June).
The weekend before the actual race is traditionally a highlight for Le Mans fans. The reason for this is the scrutineering. The technical inspection of the cars takes place right in the city centre, and the drivers take plenty of time to interact with the fans. Last Sunday, the only test day on the Circuit de la Sarthe was on the schedule. BMW M Team WRT used this opportunity to complete a total of 130 laps with the two BMW M Hybrid V8s. The two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs managed 125 laps on the 13.626-kilometre circuit.
In the cockpit of the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8, Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Kevin Magnussen (DEN), and Dries Vanthoor (BEL) will alternate. The #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 will be driven by Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA). As reserve drivers for the two hypercars, Philipp Eng (AUT) and Marco Wittmann (GER) are on-site in Le Mans. The Bend Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 EVO, car #31, will be shared by Augusto Farfus (BRA), Timur Boguslavskiy, and Yasser Shahin (AUS). In the #46 car of Team WRT, Kelvin van der Linde (RSA), Valentino Rossi (ITA), and Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA) will compete. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will start next Saturday at 16:00 CEST.
Team WRT is also represented in the Road to Le Mans support races with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Samantha Tan (CAN) and Gustav Bergström (SWE) will race in the #38 car.
For the three BMW M works drivers Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, and Kelvin van der Linde, the journey continues directly from Le Mans to the Nürburgring and then to Spa-Francorchamps. This driver trio faces the unique challenge of competing in all three endurance classics.
Extensive support programme on-site and at BMW Welt in Munich.
As in the previous year, there is a lot happening both on-site at Le Mans and at BMW M Motorsport’s home in Munich (GER) for the 24-hour classic. In the paddock, guests receive exclusive insights into the race operations and experience BMW M Motorsport’s hospitality and glamping offerings. BMW M is using the spectacular setting to unveil the BMW XM Label in collaboration with Carl Cox (Fuel consumption in l/100 km combined: 1.9 WLTP; Electricity consumption in kWh/100 km combined: 33.6 WLTP; CO2 emissions in g/km combined: 43 WLTP; Fuel consumption with depleted battery in l/100 km combined: 12.9; CO2 classes: weighted combined B, with depleted battery G.) to the public on Saturday, 14th June.
BMW Welt in Munich welcomes everyone who has the time and interest to a public viewing event with numerous special attractions during the race weekend. BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER) and BMW M Team BS+COMPETITION sim racer Nils Naujoks (GER) will moderate the race action and be available for meet and greet sessions with fans. Additional attractions, such as the BMW M SIM Challenge and a Carrera track, will provide plenty of entertainment.
Comments ahead of the 24h Le Mans:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “In general, it’s always crucial to complete as many kilometres as possible at the Le Mans Prologue, as there are no other opportunities to test on this track. Therefore, it was important to gather a lot of information. We worked through a tight testing programme and stayed focused on it. I think we did a very good job. Of course, it was a bit frustrating that we had to retire car #20 early. We’ll investigate it, but it wasn’t a major issue. We’re missing a few kilometres there, but overall, we can be very satisfied with the test. Now we’re focusing on race week and drawing the right conclusions from the data and information we’ve gathered.”
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT): “The test day is always an important day at Le Mans, and we have a lot of kilometres in the box. Now let’s analyse this, and then we will also know more about the issue we had on car #20. Overall the feeling is good, we achieved the entire run plan. On the GT3 side, there is still a lot of work. Let’s analyse how we can improve there and we will see on Wednesday was is achievable.”
Kevin Magnussen (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8): “It was nice to do my first laps here in the BMW M Hybrid V8 at the La Sarthe circuit. We had a decent day. The car feels in the window, it’s still a lot of practice to finetune but it was nice to do the first laps and I am looking forward to the Le Mans race.”
Sheldon van der Linde (BMW M Team WRT, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8): “It is amazing to be at Le Mans again for my second running. The day started off very cleanly and very smoothly. We had no issues and were very happy with the car and the steps we have been making since last year, as well. It’s good to see the improvement that we’ve made in one year. It’s much bigger than I expected and that’s very positive. In the afternoon, unfortunately, we had a small issue where we had to stop the car and caused a red flag. We have to analyse it and will be back for the race week.”
Augusto Farfus (The Bend Team WRT, #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO): “We definitely started the test day much better prepared than last year. Overall I think we have a good package. It is still difficult to understand how competitive we are but I think we made solid steps. We learned a lot on the car, now we start to put all together and we will be ready for the race weekend.”
Valentino Rossi (Team WRT, #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO): “The first day of testing was good. I enjoyed it a lot; Le Mans is always great. It’s a lot of fun to drive, and I have a good feeling with the car. It worked well. It’s always difficult to understand our level compared to our opponents; it’s still too early. But the first feeling is good. We have to continue to work to improve in some areas but I am happy about the day.”
