WRT Completes First Test With BMW M Hybrid V8 at Aragon

Team WRT last week conducted its first test with the BMW M Hybrid V8 ahead of its factory Hypercar program in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

The Belgian squad, which will compete under the BMW M Team WRT banner, undertook three days of testing at Aragon “without any problems” and with several factory drivers rotating at the wheel of the single LMDh prototype.

Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, Jesse Krohn and Maxime Martin took part in the initial three-day session before Max Hesse and Dan Harper accrued additional mileage last weekend. The test included running in dark and wet conditions.

It signified the first European track outing for BMW’s Dallara-based LMDh car in 10 months after the program’s focus quickly shifted to preparing for BMW M Team RLL’s campaign in this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

WRT team principal Vincent Vosse described his organization’s first test with the M Hybrid V8 as a “milestone” event.

The partnership between WRT and BMW, which covers LMDh and GT3, was formed last year after the cancelation of the Audi LMDh project which WRT had been working on.

“It is a big step and a step that we all have worked very hard for,” Vosse reflected.

“It is a milestone for the team. Being at Le Mans has always been a goal for the team but being at Le Mans representing a manufacturer like BMW in the top category is a dream come true. And I have the feeling that we have the best manufacturer behind us.

“And the best group of people – the team. The guys did an excellent job building and preparing the car.

“The rollout went well and then we had the days of testing without any issues and good feedback.

“It has been an important first step in the preparation for the 2024 season so I am looking forward to it and I want to say a big thank you to all the guys who are involved in this.”

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the BMW that was used in WRT’s first test was shaken down by Nick Yelloly at the manufacturer’s Dingolfing facility in late May.

WRT’s maiden run with the car was originally due to take place in May but was pushed back until after the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the team finished on the LMP2 podium.

The factory Hypercar effort will expand BMW’s top-level program into new territory after one season in the WeatherTech Championship and will make it the third manufacturer, after Porsche and Cadillac, to be active in both series where LMDh cars are eligible.

It will also coincide with the 25th anniversary of BMW’s last outright Le Mans victory.

“The past week was a very good start to our WEC preparation program,” said BMW M Motorsport director Andreas Roos.

“The BMW M Hybrid V8 ran smoothly during the first test drives and provided our engineers and the team with the opportunity to gain a wealth of insights right from the start.

“Many thanks to everyone at BMW M Motorsport in Munich and BMW M Team WRT for making this successful start possible. Of course, the experiences we have gathered together with BMW M Team RLL in the IMSA series races have also contributed to this.

“At the beginning of the LMDh program, we deliberately chose to compete exclusively in the IMSA series first and later in the FIA WEC. We are now benefiting from this approach.

“Although the start was successful, there is still a lot of work to be done on the way to the first races. We are all highly motivated for the work throughout the rest of the year.”