BMW M Motorsport Gears Up for the 2026 Daytona 24-Hour Race

Countdown to Daytona

Daytona. The motorsport season is set to kick off with the ‘Roar Before the 24’, a precursor to the 24 Hours of Daytona. Over six test sessions, BMW M Team WRT clocked approximately 450 laps at the Daytona International Speedway, testing their two BMW M Hybrid V8s and gathering crucial data ahead of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener next weekend.

Intensive Preparations

Following months of rigorous preparation, the BMW M Hybrid V8 took center stage during three busy days of testing in Florida. Each kilometer is vital for the aerodynamically refined version of the car as teams gear up for the demanding 24-hour endurance event. Data collected during these sessions will be scrutinized over the coming days to ensure optimal performance for the race weekend.

Testing Insights from BMW Teams

In the GTD PRO category, Paul Miller Racing conducted around 180 test laps with their #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Meanwhile, Turner Motorsport completed a similar distance in the GTD class with their #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

Race Schedule

Practice for the 24 Hours of Daytona is set to commence on Thursday at 10:05 local time (16:05 CET), followed by the race start on Saturday at 13:40 local time (19:40 CET). Additionally, the BMW M Endurance Challenge is scheduled for Friday at 13:45 local time (19:45 CET), featuring nine BMW M4 GT4 EVOs on the grid for the 4-hour race as part of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener.

Drivers’ Reflections Post-Testing

Sheldon van der Linde (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP): “We’ve spent the past few days making initial adjustments as new team members joined, establishing a solid foundation. Our focus now shifts to performance in practice sessions, aiming for a fast car that can contend for victory. I’m excited to get started; we have a strong line-up in the number 24.”

René Rast (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP): “With several new faces on the team and entering a new racing series for WRT, it takes time for everything to gel. However, my impressions post-Roar are positive. We completed all test sessions without technical issues, though we still need to enhance performance in the practice sessions next week.”

Marco Wittmann (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP): “The Roar was crucial for coordinating processes within our new team. The atmosphere is positive, and we worked hard to optimize the car’s setup for the race, which we hope will lead to a strong result. Excitement is high for the upcoming week.”

Kevin Magnussen (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT, GTP): “We’re not quite where we need to be with the car’s balance for a shot at victory next weekend. However, I’m optimistic that analyzing data from the Roar will enable us to make significant improvements in practice sessions. The team is motivated and ready to deliver a competitive package.”

Neil Verhagen (#1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Paul Miller Racing, GTD PRO): “Everything went smoothly for us at the Roar. The car was reliable, and the team functioned well together. I look forward to racing alongside my BMW Junior colleagues Max and Dan, and competing for the full season with Connor is fantastic. After a short break, we’ll be ready to go again on Thursday!”

Jens Klingmann (#96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Turner Motorsport, GTD): “This was a very positive test for us. We focused solely on our own preparation for the race rather than lap times. The car performed reliably, and we completed our program as intended. We won’t know our exact standing until next week when things get serious, but I’m confident we’re well prepared for the season opener.”

2026 IMSA Line-ups

GTP:

#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT: Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Robin Frijns (NED), René Rast (GER)
#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team WRT: Philipp Eng (AUT), Marco Wittmann (GER), Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Raffaele Marciello (SUI)

GTD-PRO: