BMW M Team WRT
For many years, BMW’s automotive policy was characterized by a lack of clarity. Then, the German manufacturer saw an opportunity to return to prototypes in the new hypercar regulations and the LMDh platform. In fact, it was in the United States where this was realized during its first season in IMSA with the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The brand chose Dallara for its chassis and adapted the powerful V8 that had made a name for itself in the DTM and debuted in the WEC last year, marking its return to Le Mans. Like other manufacturers, it opted to support its factory team with the experience of a well-established racing team, which was done with Vincent Vosse’s solid WRT team.
The German machine has the speed at Le Mans, and it demonstrated this by securing the provisional pole position last year before the Hyperpole. On the other hand, the two BMWs struggled during the race, but the program has obviously matured since then and has shown great solidity at the start of the WEC season, where only the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was a setback. The team is not exactly in the leading pack, but it is never far off…
Has BMW ever won the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Yes, only once, in a race that has gone down in history. In 1999, the world’s top car manufacturers gathered in the French region of La Sarthe, and on paper, the BMW V12 LMRs developed in collaboration with the Williams F1 team didn’t look very promising.
BMW then abandoned the program, before sporadically returning to GT racing, either in GT2 at the beginning of the 2010s or, somewhat later, in LMGTE Pro, but without much success.
The BMW M Hybrid V8
Nombre:
BMW M Hybrid V8
Tipo :
LMDh
Debut in competition:
24 Hours of Daytona 2023
Pedigree in the WEC
: 10 races, 2 podiums
Chasis:
Dallara
Motor:
BMW P66/3, 3999cc V8 biturbo (derived from DTM)
Hybrid system
Bosch in series on the rear axle
Neumáticos:
Michelin
The pilots
car n°15AgeParticipationsBest result at Le Manscar n°20
| Dries Vanthoor | 27 | 5 | 26°C in 2017(GLMGTE Am winner) |
| Raffaele Marciello | 30 | 1 | Abandonment in 2024 |
| Kevin Magnussen | 32 | 1 | 29º in 2021 |
| René Rast | 38 | 6 | 6th in 2016(2nd in LMP2) |
| Robin Frijns | 33 | 4 | 6th in 2021(Winner of LMP2) |
| Sheldon van der linde | 26 | 1 | Abandonment in 2024 |
Recent results
BMW has had a good run since the beginning of the year.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024:
In their return to Le Mans last year, BMW showed promise, especially in qualifying. However, the race went wrong, with both LMDh prototypes completing just over 100 laps each, one of them retiring after an accident.
In the FIA WEC 2025:
Before going to Le Mans, BMW is third in the manufacturer\’s championship. The results in the first two rounds were very close, with the No. 20 car finishing in a commendable second position at Imola.
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Strengths
Weaknesses
| The enormous experience of WRTClara progression in two years
Quick crews, especially in No. 15 just by pure rhythm… |
… But pilots who need to be guided!Perhaps there is a lack of a bit of experience at Le Mans, both for the team and the drivers. |
The expert’s look, by Anthony Drevet
Anthony Drevet is a specialist in motorsport, particularly in endurance racing, and a commentator and pit reporter for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The moment for BMW is very good. They have what it takes in terms of operating equipment, because obviously WRT has a lot of experience. I think the drivers are also good, and in terms of top speed we can expect that the BMW will Dries Vanthoor don’t be far off in Hyperpole, I really hope this car is in Hyperpole, like the Alpine #35.
Afterwards, in the race, we’ll have to rein in the enthusiasm of these drivers a bit. Compared to last year, they are a little more consistent and that’s good news. They have been relatively solid with BMW since the start of the season. We’re going to have to calm things down a bit with their drivers. When you see Vanthoor, Magnussen, and Marciello together, it’s like a spark!
I could see them, with Alpine, finishing among the top 5 or close to the podium if there are any issues ahead. I think it’s a really good car and the team is impeccable. They have also resolved their brake problems by changing suppliers, which could make a difference. I believe they now understand their car much better.
We haven’t seen big mistakes on their part. They are good at strategy: they have a roadmap and generally try not to stray too far from it, which is quite good. They don’t let anything happen to them and stay in the race. They are a solid team that can play up front.