Death of Charly Lamm, former boss of BMW Team Schnitzer

Charly Lamm died suddenly last Thursday after the 63-year-old German had just retired last November. The German is recognized in the world of motorsport for having fully invested in the success of Team Schnitzer associated with BMW, whose premises are located in Freilassing in Bavaria.

His greatest success as team manager was winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR from Winkelhock-Martini-Dalmas. Before that, the structure founded by the Schnitzer brothers (Charly Lamm's brothers-in-law) established itself in ETCC before moving to DTM in the 1990s then at the WTCC in the 2000s. Team Schnitzer also claimed several victories at the 24 Hours of Nübrirgring and the 24 Hours of Spa.

“This is totally unexpected news, regrets Jens Marquardt. It's terribly difficult to accept that Charly is no longer with us. He had a significant impact on BMW for decades, celebrated significant successes with his team, and was esteemed by fans around the world for his passion for racing. »

“It is a shock and a tragedy to lose him so suddenly, particularly at a time when Charly was about to begin a new chapter in his life. We mourn the loss of a character who was esteemed and loved internally and who will always be linked to BMW Motorsport. Thank you for everything Charly. We will always miss you”, adds the BMW Motorsport director.

Charly Lamm withdrew from Team Schnitzer celebrating one last victory with Augusto Farfus' success at the FIA ​​GT World Cup in Macau last November. He will have worked within the team for four decades.

“We are also shocked by the sudden loss of Charly Lamm, expressed Audi Motorsport Director Dieter Gass. The motorsport family has lost a charismatic person and an exceptional individual. Charly Lamm lived for the competition. He was a true sportsman and he will always remain a recognized figure. My discussions with him were always a source of inspiration to me. He was a model for me. We express our sympathy for his family and the team he lived for. »

« This disappearance is a great pain for the family ofEndurance and for the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, comments Pierre Fillon, the president of the ACO. Charly Lamm was a competitor as fierce as he was endearing. He had contributed with his team and his men to the Legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1999, this fantastic victory for the BMW V12 LMR coincided with an incredible edition. With infinite sadness, I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Charly Lamm

His brother Dieter Lamm, also a cornerstone of Team Schnitzer, disappeared five years ago under similar circumstances.