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).
Reactions to the lineup:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “BMW M
Motorsport and ROWE Racing are entering their ninth season together in
2024, and the partnership has been a great success story from the
first year. Two joint 24-hour victories at Spa-Francorchamps, one at
the Nürburgring and we aim to further improve that record in 2024 with
another strong lineup. I am very much looking forward to the races and
the fantastic collaboration with Hans-Peter Naundorf and his team.
It’s unfortunate that we don’t have all BMW M works drivers available
due to some schedule conflicts, but thanks to our high-calibre and big
line-up, we can still assemble incredibly strong teams.”
Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Manager ROWE Racing): “I am
pleased that our partnership with BMW M Motorsport is now entering its
ninth year. It is characterised by great mutual respect and an
exceptionally loyal collaboration. Having the winning trio from last
year allows us to embark on the title defense at Spa, providing a
perfect foundation to once again compete for victory. Additionally,
two of the three driver positions remain unchanged in the sister car,
and Augusto Farfus brings additional qualities with his driving skill,
vast experience, and exemplary team spirit. This year, we will have
seven BMW M works drivers on the Nordschleife. For the first time,
Robin Frijns and Raffaele Marciello will compete for ROWE Racing in
the 24h Nürburgring, whom we have known as formidable opponents. Our
entire team looks forward to collaborating with two such successful
and fast drivers, and we warmly welcome them to the ROWE Racing family.”
Robin Frijns: “At my last start on the Nordschleife
in 2022, I won the 24-hour race together with Dries Vanthoor. Now, I
am very excited about my debut for BMW M Motorsport. It is one of the
biggest motorsport events in Germany, and the fans there are
particularly enthusiastic. It never gets boring for a driver on the
Nordschleife. I am curious to see how my debut in the BMW M4 GT3 will go.”
Raffaele Marciello: “I am very excited to return to
the Nordschleife – especially with BMW M Motorsport and ROWE Racing,
as they have an impressive shared history of good results there. I
have never won the race, but I have reached the podium. Accordingly,
my hope for a strong race is great. But first, I need to prepare very
well together with the team and in the new car.”
