Krohn Wanting to “Make the Most” of BMW GTP Opportunity

Jesse Krohn says being picked to be a member of BMW M Team RLL’s full-time driver lineup for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2024 is a “dream come true” after a season spent mostly on the sidelines.

BMW announced last week that Krohn would replace Augusto Farfus as Philipp Eng’s regular co-drover in the No. 24 BMW M V8 Hybrid.

That was despite the 33-year-old sitting out the WeatherTech Championship entirely last year, with his 2023 schedule comprising a handful of outings in BMW GT3 machinery across Europe and Asia, including the Nürburgring 24.

Krohn, who last contested a full WeatherTech Championship season in 2020 in the now-defunct GTLM class in a BMW M8 GTE, says he’s determined to make the most of his unexpected chance in the GTP division.

“Honestly, I can’t believe I am here,” Krohn told Sportscar365. “When I’m at home not racing, I always try and do my homework so I can show up ready, and somehow I was able to convince BMW I was the right guy for the seat. 

“Last year was difficult with certain things not working out; some of the seats I supposed to have didn’t work out because of ADAC buying DTM and GT Masters dying away, and some of the Pro cars that were supposed to be here [at Daytona] in GTD didn’t work out, so ultimately I had very little driving.

“Being back here in this rocket ship is a dream come true. But nobody here is to enjoy just one season. My goal is to make the most out of this season, and to be here for a long time.”

Krohn explained he earned his GTP chance over the course of two tests, the first with BMW’s FIA World Endurance Championship squad Team WRT at Motorland Aragon in June and the second with Team RLL at the IMSA-sanctioned test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.

“Immediately this car suited my driving style and I was able to get a lot out of it,” he said. “You know how it is in this business, normally you get one shot at a test.

“The first one went well, the team was happy with the work I did, and suddenly another opportunity came up that I wasn’t expecting. I made the most of that and now here we are.”

Krohn also feels that coming on board BMW’s GTP program in its second year is the “perfect time” considering the difficulties the Bavarian marque experienced on the M V8 Hybrid’s debut in last year’s Rolex 24.

“They’ve been able to iron out all the little issues they had at the beginning of last year, and obviously the car has moved forward,” said the Finnish driver.

“For sure we will be more competitive than last year and there’s no reason why we can’t be fighting for victories and the championship.”