BMW team ROWE Racing has revealed that it will return to Fanatec GT Europe season and the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2024 with a familiar two-car line-up.
The unchanged crew of Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann and Nick Yelloly will continue their partnership in the Endurance Cup, which last year delivered overall victory at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. This marked ROWE’s third triumph at the Belgian classic and an unprecedented 25th for BMW.
Due to a clash between this season’s Monza round and an IMSA race at Indianapolis on 22 September, Eng and Yelloly will be absent from the Italian event. Their replacements will be announced later in the year.
There is just one change to the sister car, where the continuing Dan Harper and Max Hesse are joined by Augusto Farfus. The Brazilian, who arrives from Team WRT, previously drove for ROWE Racing as recently as 2022 and replaces Neil Verhagen. Former junior drivers Harper and Hesse are set for their third season in Fanatec GT Europe.
“I am pleased that our partnership with BMW M Motorsport is now entering its ninth year,” said ROWE Racing boss Hans-Peter Naundorf. “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 defence 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.”
In addition, 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, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor, and the two new additions Robin Frijn and Raffaele Marciello.
“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,” commented Andreas Roos, the head of BMW M Motorsport.
“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.”
