BMW Announces Drivers for Nürburgring 24

Photo: BMW

BMW Motorsport announced on Wednesday its drivers for the Nürburgring 24, with several newcomers, returning and regular drivers set to drive the factory-backed BMW M6 GT3s.

Reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann will be joined by fellow DTM regulars Bruno Spengler, Maxime Martin, Augusto Farfus and Tom Blomqvist at the N24.

It will be Spengler’s maiden entry in the race, while Farfus was part of the 2010-winning lineup in a BMW M3 GT2.

Three drivers from BMW Team RLL’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will also be present, with Martin Tomczyk, Alexander Sims and John Edwards all confirmed for the race.

Meanwhile, GT regulars Kuno Wittmer and Nicky Catsburg will also take part in the N24.

Richard Westbrook and Markus Palttalla will rejoin BMW for the race, while FIA Formula E Championship regular Antonio Felix da Costa is also confirmed in the lineup, as are Joerg Mueller, Philipp Eng, Jens Klingmann and Jesse Krohn.

In addition, four drivers will make their BMW factory debuts this season. Two-time DTM champion and 2003 N24 winner Timo Scheider is set to make the switch to BMW machinery from Audi.

Meanwhile, Tom Onslow-Cole and Marc Basseng also join the BMW fold, the latter coming with 26 VLN wins and the 2012 N24 race win to his name.

The fourth and final new driver for BMW is Alex Lynn, who drove the BMW M4 DTM in a 2014 young driver test.

“We’re looking forward to the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “It is always a special weekend for us, after all, this iconic race plays an important role in the history of BMW Motorsport.

“We have celebrated 19 victories there to date. After finishing fifth on the BMW M6 GT3’s debut last year, we’d be happy to move up a few places this time.

“To make that possible, you need experienced teams and reliable, fast drivers. We will field both of these once again in 2017.

“This is perhaps our most varied and excellent squad ever at the Nürburgring which is why I am confident that we will put on another good show for the BMW fans at the Ring.”

Schubert Motorsport and ROWE Racing will each field a pair of BMW M6 GT3s, while five-time race winner BMW Team Schnitzer is also set to field a car.

The race is set for May 27-28.

Jake Kilshaw

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