Munich. BMW M Team WRT has a rating to settle with the Bathurst 12 Hour (AUS) – and is again in 2024 for a second shot at victory with the BMW M4 GT3. The Belgian group competes on the opening spherical of this season’s Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), on the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit, with two automobiles and 6 BMW M works drivers. Valentino Rossi (ITA) is again in Australia, one 12 months after making his debut there. Joining him behind the wheel can be Raffaele Marciello (SUI), for whom this can be his first race in BMW M Motorsport colors.
Roughly one 12 months in the past, BMW M Team WRT’s first race as an official works group ended with fourth and sixth place. A strong begin, however not what the bold group from Belgium had hoped for. They now have one other likelihood to problem for victory with the BMW M4 GT3 on the legendary 12-hour race at Bathurst. Boosting their probabilities of success are two sturdy crews of BMW M works drivers.
Sharing the driving duties within the #32 BMW M4 GT3 are Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (each BEL). The similar trio got here residence fourth in 2023, narrowly lacking out on the rostrum. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin (BEL) are one other established duo. New to the group is Raffaele Marciello, who can be racing for BMW M Motorsport for the primary time at Bathurst.
Quotes:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The Bathurst 12 Hour is a spectacular event to start the year with, and we are delighted to field another strong line-up in Australia in 2024. Together with BMW M Team WRT, we enjoyed many fantastic successes in our first season. Unfortunately, we were denied a Bathurst podium. We obviously want to make amends for that this time. With our driver line-up, I believe we are in an excellent position to enjoy a strong race. I am particularly looking forward to seeing Raffaele Marciello in a BMW M4 GT3 for the first time.”
Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “What an event to kick off our second season with BMW M Motorsport! We are very much looking forward to returning to Bathurst; this will be our third start there. After taking victory on our debut, we were unfortunately unable to challenge for first place again last year. We are now back for another shot with a fantastic squad of drivers.”
Raffaele Marciello (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “Bathurst is a very special place for me – the perfect first race with BMW M Motorsport. I love the circuit and have come very close to winning on a few occasions. Unfortunately, it has never quite worked out so far. However, I believe I have a good chance to change all that this year with BMW M Team WRT. WRT is one of the best teams in the world, and my team-mates Maxime and Valentino are extremely quick. Sharing the car with Vale is very special for me. I watched him in MotoGP when I was a kid.”