BMW M Motorsport Director Andreas Roos tells AUTO BILD: “After 1999, returning to an absolute high-level motorsport prototype is an unbelievable occasion.” “At the identical time, the North American market is essential for us, particularly BMW M fashions have very excessive gross sales. That’s why it is thrilling for us to be on the highway within the US.”
So fascinating that even CEO Oliver Zipse is predicted to be on the beginning grid at Tempo Temple in Florida. Roos defies excessive expectations and on the identical time raises them once more: “Within 18 months, we had been capable of get two racing automobiles out of a clean sheet of paper. It could be presumptuous to say that all the pieces went nicely within the preparation. But we aren’t right here simply to be. In the long run, we need to win the championship and win with the automotive.”
BMW has discovered its new motorsport area in IMSA.
BMW will begin the 24 Hours of Daytona from seventh and eighth positions. Then the IMSA US Sports Car Championship is on the schedule for the yr. In 2024, the 24 Hours of Le Mans will probably be an entry into the World Sports Car Championship.
Surprise: out of the blue the engine monsters are again. BMW’s P66/3 includes a four-liter displacement and two new flanged turbochargers. The V8 initially got here from a DTM automotive and exhibits: Reengineering in motorsport. Instead of making new and costly engines with unique supplies, the main focus is on robustness and energy, however above all total sustainability, given the speedy improvement of CO2 impartial fuels. The combustion engine is a cheaply developed 68 hp as commonplace Bosch engine. supplied with an electrical unit.
With the BMW M Hybrid V8, the individuals from Munich need to write a brand new chapter in motorsport historical past.
At the identical time, that is dangerous information for the head of motorsport. “Formula 1 shouldn’t be a problem for us in the intervening time,” Ross stated of the highest flight. “It is essential for us to fly parallel to the collection. We’re right here as we speak with the V8 Hybrid at Daytona. This is a 1:1 match for our highway automobiles. Not popping out with a brand new hybrid till 2026 (as Formula 1 plans; ed.) is a couple of years too late for us.”
In addition, based on the German: “Formula 1 is at present operating with a hybrid system that isn’t associated to collection manufacturing. The LMDh is an ideal platform for us, because the XM shouldn’t be the final BMW with such a powertrain. Then now we have to have a look at how electrification in motorsport will proceed. But it is clearly towards Formula 1.”
Also, other than the technical and monetary elements, the sports activities base of IMSA and WEC is right. “The automobiles are all designed to very strict specs,” says Roos. “Formula 1 could be glad if its discipline was seven-tenths of a second.” BMW has discovered its new playground.
24 Hours of Daytona Grid GTP
1. T Blomqvist / C Braun / H Castroneves / S Pagenaud, Meyer Shank Racing, Acura ARX-06
2. M Campbell / F Nasr / M Christensen, Porsche Penske, Porsche 963
3. R Taylor / F Albuquerque / L Deletraz / B Hartley, Konica Minolta, Acura ARX-06
4. Bourdet / R van der Zande / S Dixon, Cadillac Racing, Cadillac V-LMDh
5. E Bamber / A Lynn / R Westbrook, Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-LMDh
6. P Derani / A Sims / J Aitken, Whelen Engineering, Cadillac V-LMDh
7. P Eng / A Farfus / M Wittmann / C Herta, BMW M Team RLL, BMW M Hybrid V8
8. S De Phillippi / N Yelli / S van der Linde / S Gerta, BMW M Team RLL, BMW M Hybrid V8
9. M. Jaminet / N. Tandy / D. Cameron, Porsche Penske, Porsche 963