25 years after the V12 LMR triumphed at Le Mans, BMW will return to Circuit de la Sarthe later this yr with the M Hybrid V8. The motorsport facet of the M division goes to subject two vehicles in 2024, however a 3rd endurance racer is perhaps added for subsequent yr’s 24-hour battle. Nonetheless, a last resolution received’t be taken till after the present season involves an finish.

In an interview with Sportscar365, BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos stated the group is presently targeted on the 2 vehicles fielded by BMW M Crew WRT within the Hypercar class. The 2024 WEC efforts kicked off with the race on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit close to Doha in Qatar the place the #20 race automobile pushed by Sheldon van der Linde, René Rast, and Robin Frijns completed in twelfth place. As for the #15 automobile piloted by Dries Vanthoor, Raffaele Marciello, and Marco Wittmann, it accomplished the grueling endurance race in sixteenth place.

A number of components should be considered first earlier than deciding on whether or not a 3rd automobile is well worth the effort, most of that are associated to prices. BMW’s final manufacturing unit effort at Le Mans in 1999 included solely two vehicles, and it was the same story within the previous yr. It wouldn’t be that unusual to have a 3rd automobile on the beginning grid contemplating Porsche Penske Motorsport did run a trio of 963s in 2023 and can do the identical this yr.

Andreas Roos acknowledged the upside of getting a 3rd automobile on the grid but additionally identified the disadvantages that include coming into an additional automobile. With Le Mans being one of the vital tough races on the planet, accidents and technical issues are at all times sure to occur. For the reason that begin of the 2024 WEC hasn’t precisely been encouraging, there are larger fish to fry – making the present vehicles extra aggressive.

After the inaugural race in Qatar, WEC is heading to the 6 Hours of Imola set for April 21 earlier than the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on Might 11. The spotlight of the season would be the 24 Hours of Le Mans scheduled for June 15-16.

Supply: Sportscar365