FIA WEC: BMW M Hybrid V8 and BMW M4 GT3 EVO complete many test laps at the Prologue in Qatar.

Doha. On the weekend before the season opener of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) in Qatar, four BMW M Motorsport cars completed numerous test laps during the Prologue at the Lusail Circuit. The BMW M Hybrid V8 made a strong impression and set the fastest time. The two hypercars and the two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs were presented for the first time in their new designs .

On Friday and Saturday, the two BMW M Team WRT hypercars completed more than 700 laps. Robin Frijns (NED) was the fastest in the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8, achieving the overall best time in the fourth and final test session in 1:38.971 minutes. The #15 sister car ranked fourth. In the LMGT3 class, the #31 and #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVOs completed more than 650 laps. In the overall ranking of the four sessions, the two cars ended up tenth and eleventh.

Both hypercars will enter their second FIA WEC season in 2025 in the new Inception design by BMW M Motorsport. Car #15 will sport the traditional BMW M colours, while car #20 will feature the colours of Premium Technology Partner Shell.

Comments before the Qatar 1812 KM:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “Our goals for our second FIA WEC season are ambitious. We aim to build on the clear upward trend from the second half of the 2024 season and be in a position to consistently compete for podium places with our BMW M Hybrid V8. This applies to the entire season, but especially for the major highlight at Le Mans. Here in Qatar, we want to start the year with good results. During the prologue, we focused on running through our intensive test programme and gathering important information. Finishing with the fastest time is always nice, and we’re heading into race week with a positive mindset. In the LMGT3 class, we are looking forward to the debut of the new BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The car has won its first two races, demonstrating its great potential. The clear season goal is to contend for the World Championship title and a victory at Le Mans.”

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “So far, I think, we have a good working base. We gathered good and important information. I am quite happy. We did not have any major issues with the cars. Of course, there is still some work to be done but overall, we are quite satisfied.”

Kevin Magnussen (BMW M Team WRT, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8): “We were following the plan. I got many laps but of course it’s testing and you never know how competitive you are so we were just focusing on the programme. Things are running according to plan and we keep working. Now I’m looking forward to the race.”

Robin Frijns (BMW M Team WRT, #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8): “I think it went alright. We had a test programme before arriving at Qatar, we followed it pretty much and everything feels fine. Now we need to put the puzzle together and prepare ourselves for the race which is a bit different. As we don’t drive at night during FP1 and FP2, Saturday was our only opportunity so that was quite important for us. Now it’s all about discussions and see how we can improve the package we have for the race.”

Augusto Farfus (The Bend Team WRT, #31 BMW M4 GT3 EVO): “The track here has a big evolution across the weekend by having a lot of sand on the first day so it’s our job to understand the track evolution and the tyre evolution. This year, we are racing with a brand-new EVO car so we also have a lot to learn on that side. Overall it’s good to be back in the FIA WEC paddock and also to get to know my new teammates. It has been the first time that I met them and we have a good spirit. So let’s get everything ready for the big one.”

Valentino Rossi (Team WRT, #46 BMW M4 GT3 EVO): “First of all, it was good to have two days of testing before the start of the season because you have a bit of time to work on the car, other than during the race. I think that we improved a lot from Friday to Saturday and the feeling is not so bad. The tyre consumption makes a big difference here, so we tried a lot of things to improve this aspect that was a bit difficult for us sometimes in the past. Overall, it is difficult to understand where we are at the moment. We need to wait for the race. But on Saturday I felt comfortable with the car, I was able to drive a double stint and my pace was good so it is positive and the team always works hard. We are not the fastest yet, we need to improve but we are on a good way.”

The BMW M Motorsport line-ups at a glance:

Hypercar class, BMW M Team WRT

LMGT3 class , The Bend Team WRT, Team WRT