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).
Comments on the line-up:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “In our
second season together, BMW M Team WRT has a packed racing calendar
full of highlights. After the Hypercar line-up in the FIA WEC, the
driver line-ups for the BMW M4 GT3 in the two main series for the
team, the FIA WEC and GT World Challenge Europe, are now set. I
congratulate Vincent Vosse and his colleagues for securing excellent
amateur drivers for the LMGT3 class. With these crews, I see a very
good chance to play a leading role in this category. In the GTWC, BMW
M Team WRT, with a proven line-up and strengthened by Raffaele
Marciello, takes a new shot at winning titles with the BMW M4 GT3. I
wish the team and drivers success in all programs!”
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal, BMW M Team WRT): “In
GT racing, we had a positive start to our collaboration with BMW M
Motorsport last year. We took up the challenges, we won races,
long-distance and sprint ones, and we collected some memorable moments
like those lived in Misano. But we want more! We want to improve, to
win more races, to be champions again. I think we have what it takes,
including stellar line-ups, and we’ll go for it. Now is the time, to
show we know what to do, with the determination and the passion we
have always had.”
Maxime Martin: “I am very excited to return to the
FIA WEC for a full season in a completely new class. With Valentino
and Ahmad, we have a very strong crew. The competition will
undoubtedly be exciting and high-class. I can’t wait to get started
again. In the GTWC, I want to give my all to continue the success from
last season together with Valentino and our new teammate Raffaele Marciello.”
Valentino Rossi: “I am very happy with my 2024
programme and I can’t wait to start. In the Fanatec GT World
Challenge, I’ll race the Endurance Cup together with Maxime and Lello,
two fantastic drivers and I think we can be very strong. Additionally,
I will be doing two races of the Sprint Cup with Maxime, Misano and
Brands Hatch, two tracks where we did very well last year. The WEC
will be new for me; I’ll be with Maxime and Ahmad, and I’m eager to
race in the main event at Le Mans, and at places like Austin and São
Paulo, a brand new experience for me and hopefully we will be competitive.”
Augusto Farfus: “I feel honoured to be part of the
WEC project of BMW M Motorsport and WRT, I always wanted to have a
full campaign in the WEC and now is the right time to join the new
platform. We have a strong package, we are eager to share the
experience and we are ready for the WEC and Le Mans.”
Raffaele Marciello: “The GT World Challenge Europe
has given me many great successes in recent years. I won the title in
2022 and 2023 and hope to continue this success with BMW M Team WRT.
With Valentino and Maxime, we have a very strong team. Overall, it’s
just fantastic to be part of so many projects next season and to have
such outstanding teammates.”
Sheldon van der Linde: “Following the recent
announcement of my debut at Le Mans this year, I’m delighted to join
BMW M Team WRT in their GT programme again to do a few more big races
like Spa, which is a personal favourite of mine. Myself, Dries and
Charles have a really good relationship on and off track, so keeping
our line-up unchanged is great news and the continuity we need to
deliver a strong year together!”
Dries Vanthoor: “It is going to be a very busy season
for me, but I am fully motivated. I am happy to be back with Charles
in the GT World Challenge for a fifth season together, where we aim to
bounce back and put things straight again.”
Charles Weerts: “New season, new chances, same
targets! We will try to do our best, as we always do, and take all the
lessons from 2023. We know the car better, with Dries and Sheldon
we’ll try to perform as we should, and the team has worked very hard.
The goal is to win races and titles, I am fully motivated and can’t
wait to be driving again.”
Sean Gelael: “It’s my third year with Team WRT and it
is an honour to be part of this great family and also the BMW M
family. I am super-excited. I have been LMP2 vice-champion twice in
the WEC; I hope I can get over the hump and there is one clear goal
this year, to get the championship and Le Mans. There are no better
team and teammates to go for it.”
Ahmad Al-Harthy: “I am extremely delighted to be part
of an amazing team such as WRT, at such an exciting time for the WEC.
I look forward to working closely with my teammates and achieving
great results with them. I have worked with Maxime in the past and
he’ll definitely help me improve my driving, and sharing the seat with
a legend such as Vale. Who would have said that a kid from Oman
watching MotoGP on TV would end up racing with such an iconic
sportsman? I’m pleased to be working with the entire WRT family.”
Darren Leung: “I am very honoured and extremely
humbled to be chosen to represent BMW M Motorsport and WRT in the 2024
FIA WEC. I am looking forward to working with two very talented and
experienced teammates, Augusto and Sean. I’m excited to have them with
me for my first season in the FIA WEC. I have been flat-out preparing
and will be until the final round, not letting a single day go to
waste. Let’s have it!”
Jens Klingmann: “I am very excited to join BMW M Team
WRT for a full campaign after the two races of last year and winning
at Dubai. For me, it was a goal and I am happy that it worked out. I
think we have a strong package, the team has now experience with the
BMW M4 GT3 and I look forward to meeting my teammates. The key target
is to win the class and fight for race wins.”
