Vita4One arrives in GT World with BMW

GT World 2012 is taking shape. After McLaren and Audi have announced their participation, respectively with the French of Hexis and the Belgians of WRT, it is the turn of BMW to announce its arrival in this championship which replaces the FIA ​​GT1. The Munich brand did not partner with just anyone since it chose the Vita4One team (formerly Vitaphone), five-time winner of the FIA ​​GT between 2005 and 2009. “We are delighted to welcome the Vita4One team and Michael Bartels to the BMW family, underlines Jens Marquardt, Director of the sports branch of the propeller firm. Michael and his team have already proven what they can do in GT on more than one occasion. I am delighted to be able to count on this great addition to the program of our BMW Z4 GT3 this season. It?s great to be represented in the FIA ​​GT1 World Championship (which is now called GT World. Ed.) ».

“We have followed the development of the BMW Z4 GT3 very closely in recent seasons, continues Michael Bartels. BMW has continually developed the car, bringing it to the top of the hotly contested GT3 category. I am convinced that the car will reach a new level this season, and will allow us to fight at the front, whether at the Nürburgring or in the world championship. Everyone on the team is excited to return to GT1 (GT World. Editor’s note). We have won many victories there. We want to continue this success story with the BMW Z4 GT3 as soon as possible. » Michael Bartels, three-time FIA ​​GT champion and 1 FIA GT2010 champion, is expected to be at the wheel of one of the two cars. He could have as a teammate, among others, his compatriot Frank Kechele, who already defended the colors of the team in Blancpain Endurance Series last year, and who won three FIA ​​GT1 world championship victories in 2010 in a Lamborghini.