BMW M Team WRT's race debut in the GTP class
In six test sessions of the ‘Roar Before the 24, BMW M Team WRT completed around 450 laps of the Daytona International Speedway with the two BMW M Hybrid V8s, collecting valuable data in the process. The Belgian crew will celebrate their race debut in the GTP class next weekend at the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series). The cars made their first IMSA appearance in the iconic BMW M Motorsport Inception design at the Roar.
📷 © BMW at ROAR Before ROLEX 24. Daytona (USA) BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT. From left to right: Raffaele Marciello, Kevin Magnussen, Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, René Rast.
#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP
Lineup: Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Robin Frijns (NED), Endurance, René Rast (GER), 24h Daytona
Sheldon van der Linde: "We’ve spent the past few days working through the initial adjustments as new team members joined, setting a strong foundation moving forward. In the practice sessions before the race, the focus will now be on performance, so that we have a fast car in the race, which we can hopefully fight for victory with. I'm really looking forward to getting started. We have a very strong line-up in the number 24."
René Rast: "Of course, with so many new people in the team and in a new racing series for WRT, it takes some time for everything to run perfectly. But my impression after the Roar is positive. Everything worked well and we were able to complete all the test sessions without any technical problems. At the moment, we are still lacking a bit of performance, so we need to make good use of the practice sessions next week to improve the balance of the car."
📷 © BMW at ROAR Before ROLEX 24. #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, LMDh, GTP, Hypercar, BMW M Team WRT, Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, René Rast.
#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP
Lineup: Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Endurance, Raffaele Marciello (SUI), 24h Daytona
Marco Wittmann: "The Roar was particularly important in order to coordinate all the processes within the new team. My impression of the atmosphere within the crew is very positive. Of course, we also worked very hard to get the car into a good set-up window for the race, which we can hopefully utilise to achieve a strong result. We are all very excited about the coming week."
Kevin Magnussen: "We are not yet where we need to be with the balance of the car if we want to fight for victory next weekend. But I am confident that after studying the data from the Roar, we can make significant steps forward in the remaining practice sessions. The mood in the team is good. Everyone is highly motivated to send a competitive package into the race."
📷 © BMW at ROAR Before ROLEX 24. #25 BMW M Hybrid V8, LMDh, GTP, Hypercar, BMW M Team WRT, Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, Kevin Magnussen, Raffaele Marciello.
#1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, GTD PRO
Lineup: Connor De Phillippi (USA), Neil Verhagen (USA), Max Hesse (GER), Endurance, Dan Harper (GBR), 24h Daytona
Neil Verhagen: "Everything went according to plan for us at the Roar. The car didn't cause any problems and the team is also working very well. I'm really looking forward to driving with my BMW Junior colleagues Max and Dan again, and to be able to contest the whole season with Connor is great. Now we have a short break, then we can start again on Thursday!"
📷 © BMW at ROAR Before ROLEX 24. #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, GTD PRO, Connor De Phillippi, Neil Verhagen, Max Hesse, Dan Harper.
#96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport, GTD
Lineup: Robby Foley (USA), Patrick Gallagher (USA), Francis Selldorff (USA), Endurance, Jens Klingmann (GER), 24h Daytona
Jens Klingmann (#96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport, GTD): "That was a very positive test for us. As always, we just concentrated on ourselves and our preparation for the race. Lap times didn't matter at all. The car is reliable and we were able to complete our programme as planned. We won't know exactly where we stand until things get serious next week. I am confident that we are well prepared for the season opener." Source: BMW
📷 © BMW at ROAR Before ROLEX 24. #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport, GTD, Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, Francis Selldorff, Jens Klingmann.
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