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BMW

GT World Challenge Europe: BMW M Team WRT kicks off 2024 Sprint Cup season with a victory.

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Brands Hatch. BMW M Team WRT has began the 2024 season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup with a victory. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (each BEL) gained the primary of two races held on Sunday at Brands Hatch (GBR) within the #32 BMW M4 GT3. Their teammates, Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL), who’re collaborating in particular person begins within the Sprint Cup with the #46 BMW M4 GT3, have been unrewarded for his or her robust performances.

Starting from third place, Vanthoor introduced the #32 automobile as much as second earlier than the motive force change. With an ideal and swift pit cease, BMW M Team WRT ensured that Weerts returned to the monitor because the chief. After an hour of racing, the group celebrated a well-deserved victory for Vanthoor and Weerts. Rossi/Martin completed fifth however dropped to fifteenth as a consequence of a time penalty.

In the second race, Martin and Rossi managed to climb as much as a brief sixth from eleventh on the grid. However, a couple of minutes earlier than the top, whereas mendacity in P8, Rossi reported steering points and needed to head into the pits. Weerts and Vanthoor, beginning tenth, crossed the end line in seventh.

In the Silver Cup, Team WRT’s #30 BMW M4 GT3 was profitable: Sam De Haan (GBR) and Calan Williams (AUS) completed the 2 races in second and third positions within the class, respectively, securing podiums of their class.

Reactions after the races at Brands Hatch:

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “It’s a great way to start the Sprint Cup season with a win here at Brands Hatch. Dries did a great job to take P2 after a few laps and then the pit crew did an excellent job, they were one and a half seconds quicker than anybody else, which brought us to P1 and Charles finished the job in the best way. It was a pity for the number 46 car of Valentino and Maxime. They were in P5 at the end of race one, but got a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. In race two, unfortunately an issue stopped them after they had put in a strong chase through the field. But they also did a great job.”

 

Dries Vanthoor, #32 BMW M4 GT3: “The first lap of race one was very interesting. I gained a position and then lost it again. So I tried to hunt down the Ferrari in front of me. It was difficult, I just tried to make no mistakes and to drive as fast as I could. It was crucial to stay as close to P1 as possible. Then the boys did an amazing pit stop and Charles did a great job to keep P1 and the win. Race two was a bit more difficult as we started from tenth. Finishing seventh was the best we could do. Now I’m looking forward to the next race.”

 

Charles Weerts, #32 BMW M4 GT3: “Dries did a great job qualifying us in third for race one. Then he had a very good start to the race. When we came to the pit stop, the guys in the pits did an amazing job – as we are used to from them. So we were able to take the lead in the pit, which was crucial in a way as it would have been very, very difficult to do so on track. So they played a very big part in this victory. It has been a great start to the season and that win will give us momentum for the next rounds.”

Maxime Martin, #46 BMW M4 GT3: “It’s not been the weekend we were expecting, but it’s always nice to come here and race on an old school track. It was still a very positive weekend for the team, as they had a victory with the sister car. We had some good fights and good fun. Let’s see what Misano brings!”

Valentino Rossi, #46 BMW M4 GT3: “I got my first podium with the BMW M4 GT3 here at Brands Hatch, but this time it was more difficult! Yesterday we suffered a lot but today it was better. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the steering in the second race, where I had to retire and we also had a penalty for speeding in the pit lane in race one. Anyway we suffered more than we expected, but it was still a pleasure to race at Brands Hatch! Let’s see what we can do in Misano!”

BMW

GT World Challenge Europe: Six BMW M4 GT3s at Endurance Cup season opener.

Le Castellet. The new season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS kicks off this coming weekend, with BMW M Motorsport as soon as once more well-represented. At Circuit Paul Ricard (FRA), BMW M Motorsport groups WRT, ROWE Racing, and Century Motorsport will discipline a complete of six BMW M4 GT3 automobiles and greater than a dozen BMW M works drivers.

 

The works-supported groups WRT and ROWE Racing will every compete with two automobiles within the Pro Cup for total victories. Both groups have just one personnel change from final yr. In the #46 BMW M4 GT3, Raffaele Marciello (SUI) would be the third driver alongside Maxime Martin (BEL) and Valentino Rossi (ITA), as he was already at Bathurst (AUS) in February. The #32 BMW M4 GT3 line-up stays unchanged with Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor, and Charles Weerts (each BEL).

 

The identical applies to the ROWE Racing #98 BMW M4 GT3, the place Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), and Nick Yelloly (GBR) will compete, amongst others, to defend the title on the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL). In the #998 BMW M4 GT3, Augusto Farfus (BRA) – who was with BMW M Team WRT in 2023 – would be the third driver alongside Dan Harper (GBR) and Max Hesse (GER). The automotive will characteristic a brand new design from BMW M Motorsport accomplice MultiBank Group in 2024.

In the Bronze Cup, Team WRT will discipline a 3rd BMW M4 GT3. The #30 automotive can be pushed by BMW M works driver Jens Klingmann (GER), FIA WEC driver Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), and Sam De Haan (GBR). Century Motorsport celebrates its debut within the extremely aggressive Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. In the #991 BMW M4 GT3, Formula E World Champion Jake Dennis, British GT Champion and FIA WEC driver Darren Leung, and Toby Sowery (all GBR) will share duties.

In the Sprint Cup of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS (beginning on 4th/fifth May), Team WRT will compete for all the season with two BMW M4 GT3 automobiles. Vanthoor and Weerts will race within the Pro Cup, whereas De Haan and Calan Williams (AUS) will compete within the Silver Cup. Rossi and Martin will make particular person begins and race the #46 BMW M4 GT3 within the dash occasions at Brands Hatch (GBR) and Misano (ITA). Century Motorsport combines the 2 British GT champions Harper and Leung in a single automotive within the Bronze Cup.

The opening race of the Endurance Cup at Le Castellet (FRA) begins on Sunday, seventh April, at 15:00 CEST and can run for a shortened distance of three hours in comparison with earlier years. On the identical weekend, the GT4 European Series can even begin its season. Eight BMW M4 GT4 automobiles are registered for the primary race weekend. They can be entered by groups Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport, L’Espace Bienvenue, W&D Racing Team, Razoon-more than racing, Lestrup Racing Team, and CHAZEL Technologie Course.

Quotes forward of the season opener.

 

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “The GT World Challenge Europe is once again the most competitive GT3 racing series in the world this season. A field of 55 cars, including 20 in the Pro Cup, is truly impressive. In our second season with the two works-supported teams WRT and ROWE Racing, we are relying on consistency. Experience is extremely important in this championship. Therefore, we are pleased that, with the exception of two minor changes, we can send the same driver pairings into the races as in 2023. Already last season, we had much reason to rejoice with numerous wins and podium finishes. We want to further improve on this record and clinch titles this time. I warmly welcome Century Motorsport to the GT World Challenge Europe and wish the team every success. Additionally, I am excited to see a very strong field of BMW M4 GT4 cars in the GT4 European Series at Le Castellet. In its debut season in 2023, the BMW M4 GT4 immediately clinched the title. We want to build on this success.”

 

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “It’s good that the season is now picking up speed and that we can fight for victories and points again. Even though we set the sporting bar very high last year, we are going into the season with similar expectations. Our advantage is the vast experience and stability of the team, which has changed only minimally compared to 2023 with the comeback of Augusto Farfus in the GT World Challenge Europe. Everything is well coordinated. We know what we and our drivers are capable of and are constantly trying to optimise our performance even further, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a say in the battle for the top positions again, but there is no guarantee. All participants have to adapt to the new bio fuel, which requires some adjustments to the engines. The conditions at Le Castellet have also changed: shorter race duration, different temperatures and no driving in the dark. On the other hand, the strain on the cars at Le Castellet is certainly less than in the past. Overall, everyone’s tension is likely to be a little higher than usual at the start of the season, and everyone will want to get their bearings in the race first.”

 

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “It’s a pleasure to start our season in Europe. Everyone knows how important the Fanatec GT World is for us, as we’ve been in that category since the very beginning of the championship. It has been years that Paul Ricard was one of the longest races of the championship, and now it is the season opener. It’s a pleasure to go there. We have cars to fight in different categories. In the Pro category we have a new arrival in the number 46 car, Raffaele Marciello, who is heading to the race with Vale and Maxime, and our standard line up in the number 32 with Charles, Dries and Sheldon. Again we have a Bronze class entry, this year with Ahmad Al Harthy, Jens Klingmann and Sam De Haan, who is new to the team, but not to the championship, so let’s see what we can do. There are some changes in terms of regulations, but nevertheless, of course we will try very hard to be at the front.”

 

Nathan Freke (Team Principal Century Motorsport): “GTWC Europe is something we have aspired to for many years and I want to thank Darren Leung for taking us on this journey with him. We have a fantastic line-up of drivers for both Sprint and Endurance and a great team of guys and girls who are all excited to get going. I think we can hope for very strong results in the Bronze class. It’s big step for us, but we are very well prepared and looking forward to round one.”

The BMW M4 GT3 line-ups at a look:

 

Pro Cup.

 

#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT

Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)

Dries Vanthoor (BEL)

Charles Weerts (BEL)

#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT

Raffaele Marciello (SUI)

Maxime Martin (BEL)

Valentino Rossi (ITA)

#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing

Philipp Eng (AUT)

Marco Wittmann (GER)

Nick Yelloly (GBR)

#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing

Augusto Farfus (BRA)

Dan Harper (GBR)

Max Hesse (GER)

Bronze Cup.

#30 BMW M4 GT3, Team WRT

Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA)

Sam De Haan (GBR)

Jens Klingmann (GER)

#991 BMW M4 GT3, Century Motorsport

Jake Dennis (GBR)

Darren Leung (GBR)

Toby Sowery (GBR)

 

BMW

BMW M Team WRT Shines at GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup Finale

The final weekend of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup at Zandvoort was a successful one for BMW M Team WRT. The team’s crews achieved multiple podium finishes throughout the weekend, with impressive performances from BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi and Maxime Martin. On Saturday, Rossi and Martin made a fantastic comeback to secure a third-place finish. On Sunday, Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor took second place in an epic race, joined on the podium by Niklas Krütten and Calan Williams in third. Krütten and Williams were crowned Champions in the GTWC Gold Cup and GTWC Sprint Gold Cup.

Saturday’s race saw the BMW M Team WRT’s four BMW M4 GT3s starting in the middle of the grid after a difficult qualifying session. However, the drivers managed to avoid trouble and gain positions. Rossi, driving the #46 BMW M4 GT3, made up five positions before a Safety Car interrupted the race. Martin then took over the car and showcased an excellent performance, making several daring overtakes to claim third place after starting from 15th. Vanthoor and Weerts in the #32 car finished in fifth place.

Sunday’s race was filled with action due to mixed weather conditions. The BMW M crews performed well in qualifying, securing the front row. Martin started from pole position in the #46 BMW M4 GT3, followed by Williams in the #30 car, who impressed with a second-place qualifying position.

Both drivers had a strong start, with Martin maintaining the lead comfortably. However, heavy rain poured down on the Zandvoort circuit, making track conditions challenging. The race was neutralized by a Full Course Yellow and a Safety Car. After the restart, Krütten took the lead with the #30 car, followed by Rossi in second, while Vanthoor advanced from further behind. The slippery track led to various position changes throughout the race. In the end, Weerts and Vanthoor secured second place, while Krütten and Williams took third place and the championship titles. Martin and Rossi finished the final race in seventh place. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Thomas Neubauer finished in seventh and 13th place, respectively, in WRT’s number 31 BMW M4 GT3.

Here are some quotes from the team after the Zandvoort races:

Vincent Vosse, BMW M Team WRT Team Principal: “Finishing the season with a double podium and winning the drivers’ championship in the gold class is a great feeling. Although we didn’t win the overall championship, we have learned a lot and will come back stronger next year.”

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “Yesterday was very good, reaching our third podium of the season. It was a great race. Today we expected more as we started from pole position and Max was flying, especially in the dry. But unfortunately, heavy rain made me struggle with the wet tires. I made a mistake near the end and lost three positions. Nevertheless, the season was good, and I would like to thank Max and the whole team.”

Maxime Martin (#46 BMW M4 GT3): “It was a good final weekend. Yesterday’s podium was the highlight, starting from 15th and ending on the podium. Today was more unfortunate, but we still scored some points. We had a good sprint championship, and now we will see what next season brings.”

Charles Weerts (#32 BMW M4 GT3): “Overall, it was quite a difficult weekend for us. Coming here as title contenders and not winning the championship is a bit disappointing. But we did our maximum, and Dries’ great drive helped us secure a podium finish to end the sprint season.”

Dries Vanthoor (#32 BMW M4 GT3): “It wasn’t the weekend we hoped for, but ending on a positive note is good. Yesterday’s race eliminated our chances for the championship. Today we had nothing to lose, so we went all out and gave a P2 finish to the team. It was a nice Sunday for the whole team.”

Calan Williams (#30 BMW M4 GT3): “The day started fantastic with qualifying and then a podium finish. It’s amazing! Well done to Niklas as well. We were behind in the championship, but we gave it our all.”

Niklas Krütten (#30 BMW M4 GT3): “Today’s race was quite interesting. Racing at the front was new to us, and we hadn’t performed well in previous rounds. But Calan changed everything this morning. I still can’t believe we are champions!”

BMW

ROW Racing Concludes Impressive Endurance Cup Season in GT World Challenge Europe

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup season came to an end with the 3-hour race in Barcelona. ROWE Racing had a standout season, despite the BMW M Motorsport teams not achieving strong results in the season finale. Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly celebrated victories at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the Monza season opener. They finished the season second in both the overall standings of the Endurance Cup for drivers and teams.

Although there was a mathematical chance of winning the title before the race, the pace of the #98 BMW M4 GT3 was not enough to challenge for the top spot. Eng, Wittmann, and Yelloly finished in tenth place in the season finale. The BMW Junior Team secured twelfth place. Overall, ROWE Racing achieved two victories, one second place, and one third place in the Endurance Cup in 2023.

The BMW M Team WRT did not replicate their strong results from the Sprint Cup in the endurance races during their first year with the BMW M4 GT3. Despite a damaged rear, Dries Vanthoor, Charles Weerts, and Sheldon van der Linde managed to secure eleventh place. Valentino Rossi, Maxime Martin, and Augusto Farfus retired early. The #30 BMW M4 GT3 from the WRT team finished fourth in the Gold Cup, while the #31 BMW M4 GT3 and the #35 BMW M4 GT3 from Walkenhorst Motorsport finished seventh and eighth in the Bronze Cup, respectively.

The Sprint Cup season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS with the BMW M Team WRT will conclude on October 14th/15th at Zandvoort.

Reactions after the Endurance Cup season finale:

Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): ROWE Racing had a fantastic season, starting with podium finishes and a 1-2 finish at the opening race at Monza. The highlight was their third overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Naundorf thanked the entire team, BMW M Motorsport, and all the drivers for their efforts.

Philipp Eng (#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 10th place): Eng expressed his overall satisfaction with the season, acknowledging the disappointment in the finale but highlighting the team’s reliability and the great teammates he had.

Max Hesse (#998 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, 12th place): Hesse reflected on the progress the team made compared to the previous year and the highlight of their podium finish at Monza.

Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, 11th place): Van der Linde described the Endurance Cup season as challenging, mentioning the team’s struggles in qualifying.

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, DNF): Rossi admitted to making a small mistake that caused him to lose control of the car. Despite the disappointment, he believed they could have achieved a good result.