BMW M Team WRT Takes Over BMW’s IMSA and WEC Programs from 2026

BMW M Motorsport is restructuring its prototype racing efforts, handing full accountability for each FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship applications to BMW M Crew WRT starting in 2026.

WRT Expands into IMSA

The Belgian outfit, led by crew principal Vincent Vosse, will take over IMSA operations from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), which has partnered with BMW for 17 years. WRT will run the most recent model of the BMW M Hybrid V8 throughout the total IMSA schedule, together with endurance and dash occasions.

The primary look with the up to date automotive is about for the official IMSA take a look at at Daytona in November 2025. To assist this system, WRT is organising a everlasting base in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is able to home the IMSA facet of the operation. Whereas WRT has raced on the Rolex 24 At Daytona in GT equipment earlier than, this marks its first full-season IMSA marketing campaign.

Finish of the RLL Period

The change closes a protracted chapter with RLL. The crew has been central to BMW’s American racing presence since 2007, profitable in GTLM and extra not too long ago fielding the M Hybrid V8 in IMSA’s GTP class. BMW Motorsport boss Andreas Roos thanked RLL for its lengthy service:

“Along with BMW M Crew WRT, we’re pooling our strengths to realize even larger success in each the FIA WEC and the IMSA sequence. I wish to take this chance to sincerely thank BMW M Crew RLL for his or her excellent efforts over the previous three years in our GTP programme and for his or her loyalty to our model over 17 years.”

Vosse’s Lengthy-Time period Aim

For Vosse, the IMSA transfer is the achievement of an ambition: “I’ve by no means made it a secret that we’re very enthusiastic about competing within the IMSA sequence. This want is now turning into a actuality. Prior to now, we have now participated within the GT class on the 24 Hours of Daytona, however we have now by no means contested the total season. We face an amazing problem, however our crew has gained a whole lot of expertise worldwide over the previous ten years, and we really feel prepared for this problem.”

Driver Lineup to Be Introduced at a Later Date

With WRT operating each applications, BMW’s Hypercar effort turns into extra streamlined. Driver lineups for the 2026 season have but to be confirmed, however the Daytona take a look at later this 12 months will mark the primary outing of the revised M Hybrid V8 in WRT’s fingers.