BMW Steps Up Racing Program With Le Mans, Formula E Entries

BMW has announced a comprehensive new motorsport program. Not only will the

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by Carscoops Staff

September 27, 2016 at 10:30

BMW has announced a comprehensive new motorsport program. Not only will the German automaker continue its current activities, but it will launch two new ones as well.

Arguably chief among them will be the marque’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Following its overall victory with the V12 LMR back in 1999 and its competition in the LM GTE class as recently as 2011, the Bavarian automaker will contest the entire FIA World Endurance Championship, including the main event in western France, starting in 2018.

BMW has yet to detail just what its new endurance racing program will entail. But we’d expect it to either launch an upgraded version of its M6 GT3 in the GTE class (previously known as GT2).

Along with the WEC effort, Munich has also announced the stepping up of its participation in the FIA Formula E Championship. That will come initially in the form of a partnership with the Andretti team, but could turn into a full works entry come the fifth season in 2018-19.

At the same time, BMW has renewed its commitment to its current efforts in DTM, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and Mini’s partnership with the X-Raid team in the Dakar Rally. Altogether it promises to be the company’s most comprehensive racing program since withdrawing from Formula One seven years ago.