BMW Launches M Racing Academy for GT4 Drivers

BMW has revealed a four-driver roster as it launches its BMW M Racing Academy, intended to serve as a development program for GT4 racers.

Nerea Marti, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million and Niels Troeger were selected out of a group of twelve candidates invited to participate in the selection process at the company’s Munich headquarters.

The process included a simulator session, a test of physical and mental capabilities, a setup session and media training.

The four academy selectees will be mentored by factory driver Bruno Spengler, while Dirk Adorf, who was formerly involved in the BMW Junior Team program that saw Neil Verhagen, Max Hesse and Dan Harper graduate to factory driver status, will also contribute.

Million, 24, is the only U.S.-based driver in the program, having competed with AutoTechnic Racing in Pirelli GT4 America this year. Marti, Besler and Troeger, meanwhile, raced in the likes of the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club, Spanish GT Championship and ADAC GT4 Germany.

“I am incredibly proud that with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are offering our customer racers a unique and exclusive development programme that money cannot buy,” said Bjoern Lellmann, BMW’s head of customer racing.

“Our customers have always played an exceptionally important role for us, and with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are further strengthening our commitment.

“Congratulations to our four selected members of the ‘Class of 2025’ – Nerea Martí, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million, and Niels Troeger.

“They will experience a programme next year that provides insights previously reserved for works racing.

“The selection process in Munich was an excellent preview of what is to come.

“I was impressed by the high level of all the candidates, which made the final decision a difficult one. However, I am delighted by the strong pool of talent we had to choose from.”