BMW M Team WRT Completes 312 Test Laps at Le Mans, Mourns Racing Legend Herbert Schnitzer
BMW M Motorsport gathered valuable insights during the official test day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing 312 laps across its Hypercar and GT3 entries, while the team mourns the passing of longtime partner Herber…
312
167
145
What Happened
BMW M Team WRT completed 167 test laps with the two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the Hypercar class and 145 laps with the two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs in the LMGT3 class during the official test day at the Circuit de la Sarthe. All four cars ran without any issues, providing valuable data ahead of race week. The team enters the event leading the manufacturers' and drivers' standings in the FIA World Endurance Championship after a one-two finish at Spa-Francorchamps.
“The entire BMW M Motorsport family is mourning the loss of Herbert Schnitzer. Together with his brothers, he shaped a dynasty with Schnitzer Motorsport that is unrivalled in the history of global motorsport.”
- Won the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans overall with the BMW V12 LMR
- Secured five overall victories each at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring
- Won DTM titles in 1989 and 2012
- Won the World Touring Car Championship title in 1987
Team principal Vincent Vosse emphasized the focus on race preparation, stating that the test day went according to plan and the goal is a mistake-free 24-hour race. Drivers including René Rast and Augusto Farfus expressed confidence and high expectations, with Farfus dedicating the race to the memory of Herbert Schnitzer.
Why this matters
The test day is crucial for race preparation, and the performance of BMW's hybrid and GT3 cars could influence their chances in the upcoming 24-hour endurance race. The passing of Herbert Schnitzer, whose team secured BMW's only Le Mans overall victory in 1999, adds emotional si…
Terms in This Story
- Hypercar
- The top class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, featuring hybrid-powered prototype race cars.
- LMGT3
- A class in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for GT3-specification cars, based on production sports cars.
- FIA WEC
- The FIA World Endurance Championship, a global series for sports car endurance racing.
- Pesage
- The public technical scrutineering of race cars before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.