Le Mans. BMW M Motorsport enters the most thrilling racing
week of the year with the catchphrase “BMW M returns to Le Mans”.
The comeback of the BMW brand to the top category at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) is highlighted by the debut of the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the Hypercar class, exactly 25 years after the triumph of the BMW V12 LMR. The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, competing as the 20th BMW Art Car, will hold a distinctive position. Crafted by the acclaimed artist Julie Mehretu, the car will be a standout in the paddock. Additionally, in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), two BMW M4 GT3s will strive for victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
In the Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT and six BMW M factory drivers
will go head-to-head against formidable competition in modern motorsport. A total of 23 Hypercars from nine manufacturers are set to compete in the year’s endurance highlight. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 will be driven by Raffaele Marciello (SUI), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER), while the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car will be piloted by Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER), and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA). The unique design of the 20th BMW Art Car by Julie Mehretu was revealed on May 21 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris (FRA) and is based on a “performative painting.” Further details can be found in the BMW M Motorsport Media Guide:
In the LMGT3 category, Team WRT will field two BMW M4 GT3s with new
liveries. The #31 BMW M4 GT3 will be driven by the victors of the 6
Hours of Imola (ITA), Augusto Farfus (BRA), Sean Gelael (INA), and
Darren Leung (GBR). The #46 car’s drivers will consist of Maxime Martin (BEL),
Valentino Rossi (ITA), and Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA).
- Advertisement -
Legacy of BMW at Le Mans.
To commemorate the return to the top tier after a quarter-century, BMW
is also honoring its history at Le Mans. Legendary vehicles like the
1999-winning BMW V12 LMR car and the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL Art Car by
Alexander Calder will be on display for the anticipated crowd of over
300,000 fans.
BMW’s earliest triumphant participation at Le Mans was in 1939 with
a BMW 328 Touring Coupé, securing both a class victory and a fifth-place
finish overall. It wasn’t until the 1970s that BMW garnered attention
at Le Mans with the inception of the BMW Art Cars by Jochen Neerpasch
and Hervé Poulain. The Calder Art Car made its debut in 1975, followed
by the BMW 3.0 CSL by Frank Stella in 1976, the BMW 320i Turbo by Roy
Lichtenstein in 1977, and the BMW M1 by Andy Warhol in 1979. Subsequent BMW
Art Cars at Le Mans featured the BMW V12 LMR by Jenny Holzer in 1999
and the BMW M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons in 2010.
BMW M Motorsport reached its pinnacle in the 1990s, notably
exemplified by the overall victory of Yannick Dalmas (FRA), Pierluigi Martini
(ITA), and Joachim Winkelhock (GER) in the #15 BMW V12 LMR in 1999. A BMW-powered car, namely the BMW McLaren F1 GTR, had already secured a win by 1995. BMW M Motorsport last competed in 2018 and 2019 with the BMW M8 GTE.
- Advertisement -
Editor’s Note.
The link below includes video interviews with previews from all Hypercar drivers, as well as statements from Franciscus van Meel, CEO of
BMW M GmbH, and Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport:
- Advertisement -
Additional Quotes Ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans:
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “This will
be our fourth time at Le Mans, but it marks our debut in the top class.
Representing a high-caliber manufacturer like BMW and bringing our largest
entry to Le Mans fills us with pride for our achievements as a team. While we briefly reflect on this, our focus shifts to the upcoming competition. In the competitive Hypercar category, our ambitions remain uncertain. Our season started with eventful and promising moments, making it challenging to predict our performance until we hit the track at Le Mans. As for LMGT3, our aim is to recover from the lost points at Spa. While we clinched a strategic victory at Imola, luck was not on our side at Spa. The initial goal was to lead the standings going into Le Mans, but that is not the case now, so our objective is to narrow the gap here. With a strong car and talented drivers, our strategy is to execute a flawless race, knowing that such precision often pays off in a 24-hour race.”
Augusto Farfus (Team WRT, #31 BMW M4 GT3): “My history at
Le Mans has been marked by unfinished business, as I have faced setbacks
during my time with BMW M Motorsport and never completed the race. This
time, I aim to change that narrative. The BMW M4 GT3 has displayed impressive
speed in the initial FIA WEC races of the season, despite our inability to convert
it into points at Spa-Francorchamps. With a seasoned team like WRT, we approach
the 24 Hours of Le Mans with high expectations.”
Valentino Rossi (Team WRT, #46 BMW M4 GT3): “The time has
come for my debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, known as the most prestigious race
in the world. I am thrilled and honored to be associated with BMW and Team WRT
for this significant event. Having familiarized myself with the track last year
during the Road to Le Mans race, I have developed a fondness for Circuit de La Sarthe.
We have a long week ahead of us and are fully prepared. While we showcased strong
performances in the initial races of the season, it’s crucial to determine our level
of speed and competitiveness at Le Mans. Our goal is to be competitive, and I eagerly await this experience!”