Team WRT has made “very good progress” following testing the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Spa-Francorchamps, ahead of the team’s maiden 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign in Hypercar, in conjunction with preparations for an evo kit for the M4 GT3 for 2025.
In total, there were eight BMW factory drivers who were present at a rain-soaked Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and shared driving duties across both the BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh and the latest development of the BMW M4 GT3, to be introduced in 2025, known as the M4 GT3 EVO.
Robin Frijns, Maxime Martin, Rene Rast, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly drove the carbon black BMW Hypercar, whilst Augusto Farfus, Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler drove behind the wheel of the M4 GT3 EVO.
The latter two drivers already take part in the first BMW LMDh campaign with an ongoing IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, due to attend Indianapolis later this month.
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, said: “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.”
Along with the BMW debut into the WEC Hypercar category in partnership with Team WRT, the ongoing GTE category will be replaced by LMGT3 in 2024, which will enable GT3-specification cars to enter the championship albeit limited to two cars per manufacturer.
Testing with the LMDh focused around testing the systems and optimising performance around the wet Belgian race track, which held the fourth WEC round earlier in the year.
The BMW M4 GT3 has proven to be a successful package, acquiring several wins since its debut two years ago, and its most recent win residing from the IMSA GT Challenge at VIR in the GTD class.
A 2025 evolution variant will explore vehicle functionalities, component reliability, and intends on improving handling for the teams and drivers who use it.
Frijns added his thoughts after driving the LMDh: “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.”
Spengler said: “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.”
Development on the M4 GT3 EVO will continue throughout 2024, whilst its Hypercar sibling is set to take on the WEC and the decorated 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
The next outing for BMW’s M Hybrid V8 will be at the IMSA Battle on the Bricks, taking place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (road course) on 17 September.
