Marquardt: “Productive and Open Talks” on BMW M8 GTE’s BoP

Photo: BMW

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt says they are now in “productive and open” talks with IMSA regarding the Balance of Performance for the BMW M8 GTE, which struggled in its competition debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The-new-for-2018 GTE contenders finished seventh and ninth in class, after being unable to match the pace of the GT Le Mans competitors all weekend.

Despite a trouble-free race, the No. 24 BMW John Edwards, Jesse Krohn, Nick Catsburg and Augusto Farfus dropped ten laps down from the class-winning No. 67 Ford GT, with Catsburg’s 1:45.242 lap in the race more than 1.2 seconds slower than the fastest race lap.

It came after a pre-event BoP adjustment, which gave the cars a slight turbo boost increase and weight break.

Marquardt, who had publicly criticized the BoP prior to the weekend, has now stated the German manufacturer is willing to work with IMSA to show the “true performance” of the car in future races.

BMW issued a press statement on Sunday morning stating that it is cooperating with the sanctioning body to find an “appropriate BoP assessment” beginning with the next round at Sebring in March.

“Everything has been said with regards to the reasons for the gap in performance compared to the competition,” Marquardt said. “The car couldn’t show its true potential yet.

“That’s why BMW and IMSA will continue their productive and open talks and have agreed to find an appropriate BoP assessment for the upcoming events starting with Sebring, allowing the BMW M8 GTE to show its true performance for the benefit of the series, BMW and all of our fans.”

Marquardt said the M8 GTE, which will debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, holds huge potential for the future.

“Everyone at BMW Team RLL and at BMW Motorsport gave their all to get the most out of this race under these difficult conditions,” he said.

“In the coming race appearances we are set to be stronger, and we want to fight for top positions. The BMW M8 GTE has got all it takes to do so in any case.

“Many team members in Munich and at BMW Team RLL in North America have worked very hard in preparation for this race over the past months.”

BMW Team RLL team principal Bobby Rahal said he was proud of the job done over the weekend, despite not having been in contention for a podium finish.

“You always have concerns regarding reliability in such a situation but I have to say, that both cars have run very well from that standpoint,” he said.

“To make it to the end in a 24-hour race with a new car is pretty good, I think.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John