Munich. ROWE Racing will as soon as once more symbolize BMW M Motorsport within the 2024 season on the two main endurance classics on the Nürburgring (GER) and Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). The aim is defending the title within the Ardennes and, after ending second in 2023, launching an assault on the second Nürburgring triumph after 2020. Similar to final yr, the crew led by crew supervisor Hans-Peter Naundorf will compete within the 5 races of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup with two BMW M4 GT3s. Two automobiles can even be in motion on the Nordschleife.
In the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) goal to defend their collectively achieved victory on the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 2023. They will share the cockpit of a BMW M4 GT3 in 4 races of the Fanatec GT Endurance Cup. Due to a schedule conflict between the occasion at Monza (ITA) in September and the IMSA Indianapolis (USA) race, Eng and Yelloly can not compete along with Wittmann that weekend. The driver line-up for that race can be introduced at a later date.
In the crew’s different BMW M4 GT3, Dan Harper (GBR) and Max Hesse (GER) will as soon as once more hit the observe. Augusto Farfus (BRA) joins because the third driver, returning to ROWE Racing. He first raced with the squad in 2022 and in 2023, he competed for the crew on the Nürburgring and in Macau (CHN). Farfus reunites with Hesse and Harper, with whom he beforehand shared the cockpit as a mentor of the BMW Junior Team on the Nordschleife.
For the 24 Hours on the Nürburgring, seven BMW M works drivers will compete within the two BMW M4 GT3s. Alongside GTWC drivers Wittmann and Farfus, these are Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor (each BEL), and the 2 new additions Robin Frijns (NED) and Raffaele Marciello (SUI).
Reactions to the lineup:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “BMW M Motorsport and ROWE Racing are entering their ninth season together in 2024, and the partnership has been a great success story from the first year. Two joint 24-hour victories at Spa-Francorchamps, one at the Nürburgring and we aim to further improve that record in 2024 with another strong lineup. I am very much looking forward to the races and the fantastic collaboration with Hans-Peter Naundorf and his team. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have all BMW M works drivers available due to some schedule conflicts, but thanks to our high-calibre and big line-up, we can still assemble incredibly strong teams.”
Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Manager ROWE Racing): “I am pleased that our partnership with BMW M Motorsport is now entering its ninth year. It is characterised by great mutual respect and an exceptionally loyal collaboration. Having the winning trio from last year allows us to embark on the title defense at Spa, providing a perfect foundation to once again compete for victory. Additionally, two of the three driver positions remain unchanged in the sister car, and Augusto Farfus brings additional qualities with his driving skill, vast experience, and exemplary team spirit. This year, we will have seven BMW M works drivers on the Nordschleife. For the first time, Robin Frijns and Raffaele Marciello will compete for ROWE Racing in the 24h Nürburgring, whom we have known as formidable opponents. Our entire team looks forward to collaborating with two such successful and fast drivers, and we warmly welcome them to the ROWE Racing family.”
Robin Frijns: “At my last start on the Nordschleife in 2022, I won the 24-hour race together with Dries Vanthoor. Now, I am very excited about my debut for BMW M Motorsport. It is one of the biggest motorsport events in Germany, and the fans there are particularly enthusiastic. It never gets boring for a driver on the Nordschleife. I am curious to see how my debut in the BMW M4 GT3 will go.”
Raffaele Marciello: “I am very excited to return to the Nordschleife – especially with BMW M Motorsport and ROWE Racing, as they have an impressive shared history of good results there. I have never won the race, but I have reached the podium. Accordingly, my hope for a strong race is great. But first, I need to prepare very well together with the team and in the new car.”