Vita4One and Michael Bartels bank on the BMW Z4 GT3.

Munich, 12 January 2012. The BMW Motorsport family has a prominent new member: Michael Bartels (DE) and his Vita4One Racing Team will contest the 2012 season armed with the BMW Z4 GT3. The team plans to compete in the FIA GT1 World Championship. Other outings, such as in the Blancpain Endurance Series with the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (BE) or the Nürburgring 24 Hours, are also possible.

Bartels is one of the most successful drivers ever in international GT racing. He has won the title in the GT1 class of the FIA GT Championship in 2006, 2008 and 2009, as well as securing the Drivers' and Team titles in the World Championship in 2010.He also won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring twice and crossed the finish line first at the marathon in Spa-Francorchamps on three occasions.

“We are delighted to welcome the Vita4One team and Michael Bartels into our BMW family,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Michael and his team have already proven their class in the GT field on more than one occasion. I am pleased that we are able to make such a strong addition to our BMW Z4 GT3 programme this year. It is great to be represented in the FIA GT1 World Championship.”

Bartels said: “We have obviously followed the development of the BMW Z4 GT3 very closely over recent seasons. BMW has continuously further developed the car and taken it to the top of the hard-fought GT3 class. I am sure the car will take another step forward this season and allow us to compete at the front of the field – regardless of whether at the Nürburgring or in the GT1 World Championship. Everyone in the team is really up for our return to GT1. We have enjoyed a lot of wins and major triumphs there. We want to continue this success story with the BMW Z4 GT3 as soon as possible.”

Twenty twelve sees Bartels come full circle: in 1988 he was a 20-year-old – with his sights set on Formula One – on the books of BMW's programme to promote young, single-seater drivers. Over 20 years later, the old hand is now back in a BMW racing car. Over the course of his career he has competed in 96 DTM races, winning two.

The 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship features ten events around the world. The season starts on 8th April in Nogaro (FR) and not only takes the drivers and teams to iconic racetracks in Europe, but also to Peking and Ordos (both CN), Moscow (RU) and San Luis (AR).