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BMW

FIA WEC in Qatar: Challenging season opener for BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Team WRT.

Doha. BMW M Motorsport commenced the 2024 season within the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Qatar 1812 km on the Lusail International Circuit close to Doha (UAE). In the Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT enters two BMW M Hybrid V8s. However, the debut race of the prototype within the FIA WEC introduced challenges, and each automobiles completed outdoors the highest ten after practically ten hours of racing. In distinction, the #46 BMW M4 GT3 narrowly missed the rostrum within the new LMGT3 class by just a few seconds.

The #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 concluded the season opener in twelfth place. BMW M works drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), René Rast (GER), and Robin Frijns (NED) took turns behind the wheel. Their teammates Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), and Marco Wittmann (GER) completed in sixteenth place within the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 after the automobile required a short restore within the pitbox about an hour earlier than the tip.

The Team WRT #46 BMW M4 GT3, pushed by BMW M works drivers Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL), together with Ahmad Al Harthy (OMA), fought for the rostrum within the new LMGT3 class till the tip. Ultimately, the trio completed in fourth place, just some seconds behind the highest three. The #31 BMW M4 GT3 reached the end line in sixth place in school. In that automobile, BMW M works driver Augusto Farfus (BRA) shared the cockpit with Sean Gelael (INA) and Darren Leung (GBR).

The second of a complete of eight races within the FIA WEC 2024, the 6 Hours of Imola (ITA), will happen on twenty first April.

 

Reactions to the Qatar season opener:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We have returned to the FIA WEC with BMW M Motorsport, and it was our first race together with BMW M Team WRT in this world championship. It certainly was not the season opener we all had wished for. I think that in the Hypercar class it quickly became apparent that we couldn’t show the necessary pace in the race. This needs to be carefully analysed now and the necessary steps must be taken to extract the maximum. In the LMGT3 class, we could still hope until the end to reach the podium with car #46. It didn’t quite happen, but we’ll try again in the next race. A solid result here satisfies us because we scored points with both cars. This is crucial in such a championship, especially in a race like in Qatar, where there are more points at stake. Very positively, in our first race together with BMW M Team WRT in FIA WEC, all procedures worked very well. We must now build on this because we aim to win races and championships.”

Vincent Vosse (BMW M Team WRT Team Principal): “It was a tough weekend. In the Hypercar class, finishing P12 and P16 is not really what we were looking for but we got a lot of data and now we have plenty of work to do. It seems like Porsche has done a brilliant job during the winter and they achieved an incredible outcome this weekend. In LMGT3 we had a solid race, with both cars and both line-ups. We had a strong race, without any mistakes, but we did not have the tools to fight for a better position. The guys in the pitlane did a really good job for their first race in FIA WEC. Finishing P4 and P6 is a good result but it’s not what we are looking for so we still have some work to do to improve.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#20 BMW M Hybrid V8, twelfth place Hypercar): “The first race of the WEC season is done. It was quite disappointing for the whole team to just miss the points in P12 with a completely clean race from outside and no real mistakes on execution. On the other hand, we have a lot more races to improve this year, with seven more events so I hope we can make some big steps on the car. We are learning a lot with BMW M Team WRT on our side and I believe that we have one of the best teams and will make significant steps. A big thanks to everyone for the hard work these last few weeks for this first race in FIA WEC and without these guys we wouldn’t be here so thank you so much.”

Raffaele Marciello (#15 BMW M Hybrid V8, sixteenth place Hypercar): “It was definitely a tough race. We learnt a lot during this weekend and we will keep learning. We will analyse everything, and we will try to do better at Imola because I believe that we have the potential to be better and that’s why we are here.”

Valentino Rossi (#46 BMW M4 GT3, 4th place LMGT3): “It’s a good start to the season as finishing P4 is quite good but it’s a shame to be so close to the podium and to not step onto it. It was a perfect race for us with no mistakes, no track limits. The guys did an amazing job in the pits as well and we just missed a little bit of speed to make it to the podium.”

 

Augusto Farfus (#31 BMW M4 GT3, sixth place LMGT3): “I think we did what we could. Unfortunately, we had that issue in the pit stop with the refuelling, which cost us some time. At least we finished, getting P6 pretty much trouble-free. Now we go from there.”

News

Lamborghini Confirms Participation in the Inaugural Qatar Motor Show

The CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, has announced that the brand will be showcasing its vehicles at the first-ever Qatar motor show in October. However, Winkelmann also revealed that Lamborghini will no longer commit to long-term participation in motor shows.

The Qatar motor show, known as GIMS Qatar, is a joint venture between the organizers of the Geneva motor show and the tourist authorities in Qatar. It is scheduled to take place from October 5th to 14th, alongside the Qatar Grand Prix.

The announcement of the motor show has received some backlash, similar to the criticism faced by the men’s football world cup held in Qatar last year. Concerns have been raised regarding the country’s laws against homosexuality and the treatment of migrant workers.

The organizers of the show have stated that 30 global automotive brands will be exhibiting, although they have not yet disclosed the individual manufacturers. During an interview at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Winkelmann confirmed that Lamborghini will be attending the event, becoming the first brand to publicly confirm its participation.

In 2020, Lamborghini announced that it will no longer participate in large-scale motor shows, opting for smaller, more exclusive events to engage with customers and fans. This strategic decision aims to create a more intimate interaction with the brand.

Qatar Holding, the investment arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, currently owns 17% stake in the Volkswagen Group and previously held a significant number of shares in Porsche. It is understood that all Volkswagen Group brands will participate in the Qatar motor show due to this investment.

When asked about the significance of the show, Winkelmann stated, “We will see. It is the first time it has been staged, so we must evaluate it. But the Middle East is an important market for us.”

Concerns about the viability of some motor shows, such as the Geneva motor show, which has not been held since 2019 but is slated to return in 2024, have led Lamborghini to avoid making long-term commitments to such events in the future.

Winkelmann explained, “There are different types of events, some of which are tailor-made for our customers. Goodwood attracts a larger crowd due to the huge enthusiasm for cars, especially supercars, in the UK. However, this is not the case in every market. We need to assess how each show develops annually and then make a decision. The landscape of motor shows is rapidly changing, with many of them losing their appeal and not being as successful. If attendance declines and media coverage diminishes, there is no need for us to participate.”

Prior to the Qatar motor show, Lamborghini will have a prominent presence at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. Winkelmann emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “For us, Pebble Beach is the most significant automotive event. It attracts our current and potential customers from all over the world. The event continues to grow in prominence, particularly among international attendees, and will continue to be of utmost importance to us.”

Featured

The Geneva International Motor Show Qatar Will Have 30 Brands

The highly-anticipated Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) Qatar, which will take place in Doha this October, is set to become a benchmark for automotive expos worldwide. The debut show will feature an impressive lineup of global brands, groundbreaking product premieres, and industry-leading innovation. The event aims to complement Doha’s existing lineup of international events, including the 2023 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, and enhance Qatar’s growing reputation as a global events hub.

Qatar Tourism, in partnership with GIMS, has announced that the inaugural event will host 30 esteemed automotive brands. This marks the first time that GIMS will be held outside of its home country, and it reflects Qatar’s increasing appeal as an international event destination. The list of exhibitors, which will feature a range of exotic cars, will be announced on GIMS’ social media channels in the coming weeks.

Visitors to GIMS Qatar can expect to witness ten exclusive product premieres, providing a unique opportunity to experience the latest innovations in the automotive industry. In addition to the state-of-the-art Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), the event will be hosted across four other venues, offering a diverse and immersive festival experience.

Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism, expressed excitement about hosting GIMS Qatar, stating that Qatar’s exceptional hotels, captivating landmarks, and strong event organization capabilities make it the perfect location for the first-ever GIMS event outside of Switzerland.

The timing of GIMS Qatar coincides with the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, promising an adrenaline-filled week for all motor enthusiasts. The full program for GIMS Qatar will include a wide range of activities, such as a car design forum showcasing the future of automotive design, off-road adventure experiences, and a gallery featuring classic automobiles.

Qatar, with its strategic central location, world-class facilities, and progressive tourism policies, is quickly becoming a preferred destination for global events. Sandro Mesquita, CEO of GIMS, expressed optimism about GIMS Qatar, highlighting its role in bridging the gap between the thriving automotive industries in the East and West and establishing itself as the premier motor show for the Middle East.

Looking ahead, GIMS is already accepting exhibitor registrations for its 100th-anniversary show in Geneva in February 2024. The milestone event will celebrate automotive innovation both past and future under the tagline ‘Auto. Future. Now.’

As GIMS Qatar prepares to make its grand entrance in Doha, it ushers in a new era of international automotive exhibitions. With its impressive lineup of events, the show is set to captivate auto enthusiasts and solidify Qatar’s position as a key player on the global stage for events.

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