Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return
Much like German OEM rival Porsche, BMW's absence from sportscar racing’s top flight will be ended this weekend when a pair of M Hybrid V8 prototypes make their debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A programme focused on IMSA for now will expand to the WEC and Le Mans next year, in a sign of both its ambition and pragmatism.
BMW is back, shooting for outright honours in the big sportscar races after an absence of nearly a quarter of a century.
The German manufacturer's attempt to follow up on its Le Mans and Sebring successes of 1999 with the V12 LMR begins at this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona with a new LMDh prototype called the M Hybrid V8. It won't be back at the Le Mans 24 Hours until 2024. And the reason for that can at least partially be explained by an ultra-tight timeline for a project described internally as a "zero error programme".
Toyota: New safety car rules risk devaluing Le Mans win
Toyota: New safety car rules risk devaluing Le Mans win Toyota: New safety car rules risk devaluing Le Mans win
Why an 'artificial' Le Mans finish is more likely in 2023
Why an 'artificial' Le Mans finish is more likely in 2023 Why an 'artificial' Le Mans finish is more likely in 2023
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans
Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours
Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours
Ferrari holds off on 499P Hypercar IMSA programme decision
Ferrari holds off on 499P Hypercar IMSA programme decision Ferrari holds off on 499P Hypercar IMSA programme decision
Ford Mustang GT3 breaks cover ahead of 2024 debut
Ford Mustang GT3 breaks cover ahead of 2024 debut Ford Mustang GT3 breaks cover ahead of 2024 debut
Isotta Fraschini Hypercar test plan outlined ahead of Monza WEC debut
Isotta Fraschini Hypercar test plan outlined ahead of Monza WEC debut Isotta Fraschini Hypercar test plan outlined ahead of Monza WEC debut
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
Team Penske and Power sign new multi-year IndyCar deal
Team Penske and Power sign new multi-year IndyCar deal Team Penske and Power sign new multi-year IndyCar deal
Pol Espargaro out of ICU and walking after violent Portugal MotoGP crash
Pol Espargaro out of ICU and walking after violent Portugal MotoGP crash Pol Espargaro out of ICU and walking after violent Portugal MotoGP crash
MotoGP Argentina GP: Vinales leads Aprilia 1-2 in FP1, Quartararo struggles to 15th
MotoGP Argentina GP: Vinales leads Aprilia 1-2 in FP1, Quartararo struggles to 15th MotoGP Argentina GP: Vinales leads Aprilia 1-2 in FP1, Quartararo struggles to 15th
F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice
F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return
Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return Inside BMW's long-awaited prototype racing return
How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era
How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era How Porsche and Penske are gearing up for sportscar racing's bold new era
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age
The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age The long road to convergence for sportscar racing's new golden age
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game How Porsche's Le Mans legend changed the game
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes Why BMW shouldn't be overlooked on its return to prototypes
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.