BMW turns to endurance and DTM

BMW Motorsport revealed its plans for the upcoming season this weekend. The speech given by Mario Theissen, who will not definitively leave office until next June, confirms the trend that began in 2009. After leaving the F1, BMW had scaled back in WTCC, focusing on endurance and Formula BMW, evoking a possible return to DTM.

The wind is blowing in the same direction at the end of 2010 as the WTCC program takes a different place in BMW's plans. The Bavarian firm will no longer be officially present in the discipline, although it was still there this season with Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus. Next year, private teams will be able to represent the brand, thanks to the presence of the BMW 320 TC (for Touring Car). The 1.6 liter turbo engine, developed by BMW for the Mini Countryman WRC, will be under the hood of the car approved for the World Touring Car Championship. The strengthening of customer competition at BMW is a trend aimed at expanding from 2011.

It is therefore in endurance that BMW hopes to show its qualities in 2011. “ The car chosen for this program is the BMW M3 GT2, which not only won in 2010 in American Le Mans Series but also in Europe and Asia, comments Mario Theissen, Director of BMW Motorsport. This car will once again be entered in 24-hour races in Europe, as well as in the American Le Mans Series. We are confident that we can continue to build on this year's successes. » However, BMW specifies that its participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, as well as in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, will depend on the evolution of the regulations.

The other challenge for BMW will be to prepare its entry into DTM for the 2012 season. Faced with heavyweights in the German touring championship such as Mercedes and Audi, BMW will have to carefully prepare their car so as not to be left behind in the discipline. “Alongside our commitments, we will continue to prepare for our return to the DTM. The development of the BMW M3 DTM is progressing very well,” confides Theissen.

In addition, the German manufacturer confides its desire to continue to trust its current drivers, who will represent BMW at the wheel of the M3 GT2: Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus, Dirk Müller, Dirk Werner, Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen, Dirk Adorf and Pedro Lamy.