BMW M Team WRT completed a successful three days of running at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit with the M Hybrid V8 this week. The test formed part of the team’s test programme ahead of the 2024 FIA WEC season, where it will make its debut in the Hypercar category.
During the three days of running, which were held in mixed conditions, five BMW factory drivers took turns behind the wheel: Robin Frijns, Maxime Martin, René Rast, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly.
BMW M Team WRT (and the drivers on hand), used the time available to optimise the car’s systems and performance, building on the experience gained at the Belgian team’s first major test with the LMDh prototype at Motorland Aragon in June.
“The three test days have gone very well,” said Vincent Vosse, WRT’s team principal.
“Once again, we’ve learned a lot, which continues to push us forward in preparation for the WEC season in 2024. At the moment, it’s crucial to accumulate as much mileage as possible and to do our homework with the car as well as with the team. It’s working well.”
Andreas Roos, the head of BMW M Motorsport, is also pleased with the car’s performance in testing with WRT so far.
“Our testing work with the BMW M Hybrid V8 for the WEC entry continues to make very good progress,” he said. “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.”
Also out testing alongside WRT’s M Hybrid V8 in Belgium was a Porsche Penske-run 963 Hypercar and a BMW M4 GT3 EVO, operated by BMW M Motorsport. The new evo-spec model, which ran with elements of its bodywork in camouflage at the test, is set to make its race debut in 2025.
BMW M Motorsport will utilise the remainder of 2023 and the entirety of 2024 to refine the new kit, which aims to “expand vehicle functionalities, enhance component reliability, improve handling for the teams, and further enhance drivability.”
“We are already looking ahead,” added Roos. “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.”
In Spa, Augusto Farfus, Jens Klingmann and Bruno Spengler shared testing duties in the M4.
“I am thrilled to be involved in the development of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO right from the beginning,” Spengler said. “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.”
Images courtesy of BMW
