Whether in the DTM, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, or countless other
championships: Week after week BMW teams and drivers around the
world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the
track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the
world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” allows
us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and
informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed.
WEC/Formula E: Focus on fitness.
After the BMW DTM drivers underwent an extensive training programme
in Viareggio (ITA) last week, it was the turn of the BMW drivers from
the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the ABB FIA Formula
E Championship to hone their fitness from Thursday to Saturday. In
order to ensure they are perfectly prepared for the challenges ahead
and the critical phase of the season with the BMW M8 GTE and the BMW
iFE.18, Tom Blomqvist (GBR), António Félix da Costa (POR), Jesse Krohn
(FIN), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Martin Tomczyk (GER) swapped their
race overalls for tracksuits. Under the watchful eye of team doctor
Riccardo Ceccarelli (ITA) and his Formula Medicine team, the drivers
worked hard to improve their physical and mental strength.
The programme included cardio and strength workouts on various pieces
of equipment, as well as reaction and concentration exercises. The
drivers were also given valuable tips for preparing for this season’s
remaining races. “The fitness week was great fun. As well as the
actual exercise, I think this is paramount,” said Tomczyk. “It is
important for us drivers to spend time together outside of race
weekends. That brings us together. The possibilities are huge here,
particularly when it comes to the mental training. It is primarily
about keeping absolutely calm out on the track, even in stressful
situations. As always, the Formula Medicine team have done an
outstanding job and set us up as well as possible for the critical
phase of the season.” Félix da Costa adds: “As a racing driver, I am
on the road a lot. That makes it difficult to find time for focussed
training on several days in a row. That is why the annual training
camp is so important for me. I can reset and focus again on taking
care of my body. After one year, we give ourselves a self-assessment
during this week, to see what level our fitness is at. I have a
feeling that we have taken a step forward again.”
Sims and Félix da Costa are back in action in Formula E next weekend,
at the Hong Kong E-Prix. The FIA WEC “Super Season” resumes on
13thMarch with the 1000 Miles of Sebring (USA).
Blancpain GT World Challenge America: Big BMW contingent at
season-opener in Austin.
BMW fans at the “Circuit of The Americas” (USA) enjoyed an
action-packed weekend with a host of models from the BMW M Motorsport
customer racing range. Three series kicked off their seasons, as the
Pirelli GT4 America and TC America series shared the bill with the
Blancpain GT World Challenge America. A contingent of 25 BMW race cars
took part in the event. As well as the BMW M6 GT3, the crowds at the
circuit were also able to check out the BMW M4 GT4, BMW M240i Racing
and the BMW M235i Racing.
The TC America season opened in particularly spectacular fashion.
Johan Schwartz (DNK) in the Rooster Hall Racing BMW M235i and Toby
Grahovec (USA) in the BMW M240i Racing run by Classic BMW were
embroiled in a thrilling battle right down to the final lap. Schwartz
crossed the finish line with a slender lead of just 0.520 seconds.
Grahovec came home second to make it a one-two for the BMW teams in
the first race of the season. The best-placed BMW representatives in
the overall standings after round one of the Pirelli GT4 America
series are Justin Raphael (USA) and Stevan McAleer (SCO), who finished
tenth in the BMW M4 GT4 of Classic BMW. Henry Schmitt and Gregory
Liefooghe (both USA) came home twelfth in the Stephen Cameron Racing
BMW M6 GT3. The remaining races had not been completed by the
editorial deadline.
British GT: Century Motorsport expands its GT3 involvement.
Century Motorsport will run another BMW M6 GT3 in the new season of
the British GT Championship. The team from Fenny Compton (GBR)
announced back in December that it would be entering the GT3 category
of the British GT Championship with the BMW M6 GT3. This sees Century
Motorsport expand its involvement in the series, having won the Driver
and Team titles in the GT4 class in 2018. As well as the two BMW M6
GT3, the team will also field the BMW M4 GT4 again in 2019. The driver
pairings for Century Motorsport’s new GT3 project have already been
confirmed. 2018 GT4 champion Jack Mitchell (GBR) will alternate at the
wheel with Adrian Willmott (GBR). Driving duties in the second car
will be shared by Ben Green and Dominic Paul (both GBR). The new
British GT Championship kicks off at Oulton Park (GBR) from
20thto 22ndApril. Two 60-minute races will be
held on Easter Monday.