Spa-Francorchamps. The preparation of the BMW M Hybrid V8 for
its entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in
2024 continued this week with three days of testing at
Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). The BMW M Team WRT gained further valuable
insights on its home track from Wednesday to Friday. Simultaneously,
BMW M Motorsport tested the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, the improved successor
to the current BMW M4 GT3. This upgraded version of the vehicle will
compete from the 2025 season onwards
.
In total, eight BMW M works drivers shared the testing duties with
both vehicles. Robin Frijns (NED), Maxime Martin (BEL), René Rast
(GER), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) were behind the
wheel of the BMW M Hybrid V8. Particularly Yelloly, as regular driver,
and Wittmann, who participated at Daytona and Sebring (both USA),
brought their experience from the race outings of the LMDh prototype
in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2023. Augusto Farfus
(BRA), Jens Klingmann (GER) and Bruno Spengler (CAN) shared duties
testing the BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
The efforts of the BMW M Team WRT with the carbon-black BMW M Hybrid
V8 focused on optimising systems and performance. Like most drivers,
the Belgian team is still at the stage of getting acquainted with and
understanding the intricacies of the complex vehicle.
The BMW M4 GT3 EVO starts its testing phase early. BMW M Motorsport
will utilise the remainder of the 2023 season and the entirety of the
2024 season for intensive work on refining the already highly
successful BMW M4 GT3. Emphasis will be on expanding vehicle
functionalities, enhancing component reliability, improving handling
for the teams, and further enhancing drivability.
Reactions after the test:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “Our
testing work with the BMW M Hybrid V8 for the WEC entry continues to
make very good progress. We are right on schedule. It’s clear that
having the vehicle in both race action in the IMSA series and testing
here in Europe is a benefit. The dual pool of experiences benefits all
sides, BMW M Team WRT as well as BMW M Team RLL and our BMW M
Motorsport engineers. The fact that we had Marco Wittmann and Nick
Yelloly testing the LMDh car here at Spa-Francorchamps, drivers who
are already very familiar with the BMW M Hybrid V8 from their race
experiences in North America, underscores this valuable synergy. In
the GT3 segment, we are already looking ahead. We started very early
with the EVO version of the BMW M4 GT3 and we’re intentionally taking
the time to improve our already highly successful model for the 2025
season. All with the aim of celebrating more years of victories and
titles for our drivers and teams, both in the LMDh and GT3 categories.”
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “The
three test days have gone very well. Once again, we’ve learned a lot,
which continues to push us forward in preparation for the WEC season
in 2024. At the moment, it’s crucial to accumulate as much mileage as
possible and to do our homework with the car as well as with the team.
It’s working well.”
Robin Frijns (BMW M works driver): “As I have only
recently become a part of this fantastic project, I am still in the
process of comprehending the BMW M Hybrid V8 in all its complexity. I
am learning with each lap. However, things have gone very well here at
Spa-Francorchamps, and we have made significant progress with the car.
I am looking forward to the upcoming tests.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW M works driver): “I am thrilled
to be involved in the development of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO right from the
beginning. I have always enjoyed this aspect, also during my DTM days.
The EVO represents progress in many areas compared to the current BMW
M4 GT3. Drivability is a crucial factor, as well as tyre durability
over longer distances. We definitely see improvements in this regard.
Here at Spa-Francorchamps, we drove the BMW M4 GT3 EVO in wet
conditions for the first time, and the car is proving to be a true all-rounder.”
