Munich. During a media forum ahead of this weekend’s finale of the DTM season in Hockenheim (GER), BMW M Motorsport unveiled initial details of the future race programme for BMW M works drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Marco Wittmann (GER). Both drivers will be involved when the BMW M Hybrid V8 makes its debut in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA) in January and will also compete at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA) in March 2023. This means that all three of the BMW M works drivers currently racing in the DTM will be incorporated in the new LMDh programme. Philipp Eng (AUT) had previously been announced as one of the four regular drivers who will contest the full IMSA season.
Van der Linde and Wittmann already have experience of both racing in the IMSA series and the BMW M Hybrid V8. For example, both lined up in Daytona at the start of this season in the MOTUL BMW M4 GT3 for BMW M Team RLL. The two drivers have also been involved in testing the new BMW M Hybrid V8 on several occasions, Wittmann most recently this week in Road Atlanta (USA).
A few weeks ago, Philipp Eng, Connor De Phillippi (USA), Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) were presented as regular drivers of the two BMW M Hybrid V8 for the 2023 IMSA season. As well as van der Linde and Wittmann, IndyCar driver Colton Herta (USA) will also be in action in Daytona.
“Racing in America is always very special. I am proud to be part of the LMDh programme next year,” said van der Linde. “Daytona is a fantastic race with an incredible history. I am looking forward to appearing there for BMW M Team RLL for the second time in a row. The fact that we will be aiming for overall victory this time makes the events at Daytona and Sebring all the more exciting.”
“I am really looking forward to racing in the IMSA series again next season, and to being involved in classics like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring,” said Wittmann. “I have done a few days of testing in the BMW M Hybrid V8 and am thrilled to be part of a project like this. The car has a lot of downforce, a lot of power, no driver aids like ABS – a real prototype. It will be cool to support the four regular IMSA drivers.”
A few weeks ago, Philipp Eng, Connor De Phillippi (USA), Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Nick Yelloly (GBR) were presented as regular drivers of the two BMW M Hybrid V8 for the 2023 IMSA season. As well as van der Linde and Wittmann, IndyCar driver Colton Herta (USA) will also be in action in Daytona.
“Racing in America is always very special. I am proud to be part of the LMDh programme next year,” said van der Linde. “Daytona is a fantastic race with an incredible history. I am looking forward to appearing there for BMW M Team RLL for the second time in a row. The fact that we will be aiming for overall victory this time makes the events at Daytona and Sebring all the more exciting.”
“I am really looking forward to racing in the IMSA series again next season, and to being involved in classics like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring,” said Wittmann. “I have done a few days of testing in the BMW M Hybrid V8 and am thrilled to be part of a project like this. The car has a lot of downforce, a lot of power, no driver aids like ABS – a real prototype. It will be cool to support the four regular IMSA drivers.”
