BMW M Motorsport has revealed that Maxime Martin has decided to part ways with the German brand to “pursue new challenges” ahead of the 2025 season.
This decision marks the end of a long association between the Belgian racer and BMW, which began when he made a name for himself in the BMW M Sports Trophy before being promoted to the brand’s works driver stable back in 2013.
He initially competed as a regular for BMW M Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series and IMSA Sports Car Championship (below) before moving to DTM from 2014 to 2017.
In 2016, he celebrated victory at his home race, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, driving the BMW M6 GT3 for ROWE Racing. In 2018, he moved to Aston Martin but returned to BMW M Motorsport in the 2023 season.
Driving the BMW M4 GT3 over the past two years, Martin’s highlights include a podium at the 2023 Nurburgring 24 Hours and a two-year programme racing alongside Valentino Rossi in GT World Challenge Europe, which included a 2024 FIA WEC LMGT3 campaign with Ahmad Al Harthy (the trio pictured below).
This was complemented by appearances in the BMW M Hybrid V8 with BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“BMW M Motorsport has played a significant role in my career from the very beginning, and I look back fondly on everything we achieved together – from my first successes in DTM and 24-hour races to the recent victories with the BMW M4 GT3,” Martin said.
“I am very grateful for the time we spent together and for my seven years as a BMW M works driver. I wish BMW M Motorsport great success in the future, and the brand will always remain a part of me. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges.”
Andreas Roos the head of BMW Motorsport added: “On behalf of the entire BMW M Motorsport family, I would like to thank Maxime Martin for the many years we have spent together.
“He began his successful career in the BMW M Sports Trophy and was a key and integral part of our works driver line-up for a long time.
“During these years, he was one of the defining faces of our programmes, and we fondly remember the successes we achieved together in both endurance and sprint racing.
“However, we value not only his sporting skills but also his wonderful personality. He has been a tremendous asset to the BMW M Motorsport family in every aspect.
“We wish Maxime all the best for his future and look forward to seeing him again, though as a competitor, but still as a friend.”
