Johansson Wins BMW Junior Driver Selection Program

Photo: BMW

Erik Johansson has been accepted into the BMW Motorsport junior program after coming out on top in an intensive three-day selection procedure.

The 22-year-old Swede proved his talent against three other candidates in the BMW Motorsport simulator on Wednesday.

The four finalists were chosen from an initial group of 16 who underwent a program of physical, mental and communication tests on Monday and Tuesday.

As part of his reward, Johansson will compete in the Italian GT Championship this season with a BMW M6 GT3 entered by BMW Team Italia.

“Congratulations, Erik Johansson,” said BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt.

“He follows in the footsteps of our current works driver and former junior, Joel Eriksson, as the second Swede to be accepted onto the BMW Motorsport junior program.

“Erik came through our reshaped selection procedure against the other impressive candidates. I am particularly pleased that we managed to successfully stage a shoot-out like that in our race simulator.

“I would now like to welcome Erik to the BMW Motorsport family and look forward to seeing him on the track in the BMW M6 GT3 soon.”

Johansson, who got his first taste of endurance racing in the BMW M235i Racing Cup in 2016, went up against Benjamin Lessennes, Aaron Seton and Ben Tuck in the simulator tests.

All four drivers each simulated practice sessions, qualifying and a long run, supported by BMW Motorsport engineers.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me. At the moment, I really don’t know what to say,” said Johansson.

“I am really looking forward to driving the BMW M6 GT3 in the coming months, getting to know the other BMW works drivers, and being a part of the BMW Motorsport family.”

Jake Kilshaw

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