BMW to Host Sim Shootout to Find New Junior Driver

Photo: BMW

BMW Motorsport will host a shootout on its simulator next week to recruit a new driver to its junior program, while keeping Beitske Visser on board for a third season.

The selection process will be held in Munich on Feb. 4-6 and begins with a group of 20 candidates undergoing physical and mental tests.

The five most promising candidates will demonstrate their skills in a shootout on the BMW Motorsport simulator, with the aim of selecting one new junior driver from the group.

The winner will receive mental, fitness and media training, as well as a season in the Italian GT Championship driving a BMW M6 GT3 run by BMW Team Italia.

The list of candidates, which hasn’t been publicized, includes drivers who have already gained experience at the wheel of BMW customer cars.

Factory driver Philipp Eng will assist with the selection process, working alongside Dirk Adorf.

“Promoting talented youngsters is, and will remain, one of the pillars of our motorsport portfolio,” said BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt.

““We are delighted that, in Mikkel Jensen, a third BMW Motorsport Junior has made the step up into our works program within just a few years.

“This underlines the success of our youth development and proves how effective it is and what a great springboard it can be.

“I am excited about our first shoot-out in a race simulator. We are forging new paths in this regard to better address the demands of modern motor racing.”

Visser remains on the junior program for a third season and will split her time between reserve driver duties for the BMW i Andretti Motorsport squad in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the new W Series, and GT racing.

After competing in BMW M4 GT4s last season, she will step up to the manufacturer’s GT3 platform for selected GT races.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.