IMSA: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to race new BMW M Hybrid V8
The BMW M Motorsport works driver line-up for the 2023 season continues to take shape. The two Belgians Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts have now been signed as newcomers.
The first racing programs for the BMW M Motosport teams and factory drivers have already been set. This includes entries in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the new BMW M Hybrid V8 and with the BMW M4 GT3 in the GT World Challenge Europe, the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. Further racing programs – including the DTM, which is currently in transition – are being planned and will be announced at a later date.
“Having celebrated 50 years of BMW M in 2022 and looking back on a glorious history of BMW M and BMW M Motorsport, 2023 looks forward to an exciting season as we steer the future of racing,” said Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH.
“The focus is on the BMW M Hybrid V8, which will be the first hybrid racing car from BMW M Motorsport to compete in the IMSA series. The vehicle also stands for the transformation of BMW M in the direction of electrification and thus plays a decisive role far beyond motorsport.
“I’m looking forward to the races with BMW M Team RLL and the parallel testing work by BMW M Team WRT, which will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the BMW M Hybrid V8 from 2024. In addition, I keep my fingers crossed for all teams and drivers”
Debut season for the BMW M Hybrid V8 in North America.
Dawn of a new era: In 2023, the new BMW M Hybrid V8 will contest its debut season in the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The BMW M Team RLL fields two new hybrid prototypes in the highest GTP class.
They will be driven by Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly, Philipp Eng and Augusto Farfus (BRA). At the long-distance races in Daytona and Sebring, Sheldon van der Linde and Marco Wittmann will strengthen the IMSA driver line-up in the BMW M Hybrid V8. In addition, Colton Herta will be present at the season opener, the 24 Hours of Daytona in January.