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It’s been 25 years since BMW’s triumphant victory with the V12 LMR at Le Mans, cementing its legacy in motorsport history. Now, anticipation mounts as BMW prepares to return to Circuit de la Sarthe with the M Hybrid V8 later this year. The BMW M Division is set to field two cars for the 2024 season, with talks of adding a third for next year’s 24-hour battle. However, a decision on this strategic move will wait until the current season concludes.
In an interview with Sportscar365, the BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos highlighted the team’s focus on the two Hypercar class contenders fielded by BMW M Team WRT for the 2024 WEC campaign. The season began with a challenging race at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar, where the #20 car, driven by Sheldon van der Linde, René Rast, and Robin Frijns, finished 12th. Meanwhile, the #15 car, piloted by Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello, and Marco Wittmann, finished 16th.
Considering a third car involves careful financial analysis. Looking back at BMW’s previous Le Mans efforts in 1998 and 1999, where only two cars raced, the idea of a third entry gains traction. Porsche Penske Motorsport’s success with three entries in 2023 and their intention to do the same this year emphasizes the viability of such a strategy.
While recognizing the appeal of increasing the team’s grid presence, Andreas Roos highlighted the challenges of adding another racer. With Le Mans’ unforgiving nature, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of current assets is a top priority. As the WEC season progresses towards key races at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, leading up to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, BMW’s strategic decisions remain a global focal point for motorsport enthusiasts.
