DAYTONA, Fla. (January 20, 2025) – During the Roar before the 24 last weekend, BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams intensely prepared for the first season highlight of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA). One week before the race, three test days featuring seven sessions were held, during which BMW M Team RLL with its two BMW M Hybrid V8s gave strong performances. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) set the overall fastest time with 1:35.424 minutes. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) and Kelvin van der Linde (RSA) used the tests to complete their first laps as BMW M works drivers.

In the GTP category, BMW M Team RLL carried out an extensive testing programme, completing more than 370 laps at the Daytona International Speedway. In the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8, Philipp Eng (AUT), Dries Vanthoor, Kevin Magnussen, and Raffaele Marciello (SUI) took turns driving. In car #25, Marco Wittmann (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Robin Frijns (NED), and René Rast (GER) shared the cockpit. Three of the sessions ended with a BMW M Hybrid V8 setting the best time. BMW M Motorsport newcomer Magnussen spent a lot of time getting accustomed to the car and team.

“We had a few very productive test days at the Roar. There are many new things for me to learn at BMW M Motorsport, and I feel more comfortable with every lap on the track. This week is the big test where we can show how strong we really are compared to our competitors. I’m really looking forward to it.”

– Kevin Magnussen, № 24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL

In the GTD-PRO class, Kelvin van der Linde had his premiere at the wheel of the #1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO from Paul Miller Racing. He shared driving duties with Madison Snow, Neil Verhagen, and Connor De Phillippi (all USA). In the sister #48 car, Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), Jesse Krohn (FIN), and Augusto Farfus (BRA) were in action. Harper and Hesse missed the first test day due to illness but caught up on their laps without issues later on. In total, the team’s two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs completed around 370 laps. They sported the BMW M Motorsport “Inception” design for the first time, which they will sport throughout the season.

In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport tested its new BMW M4 GT3 EVO. Over the course of the Roar before the 24, the four drivers Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, Jake Walker (all USA), and Jens Klingmann (GER) completed around 150 laps. Starting next Thursday, the Daytona racing action continues with practice and qualifying. The 24-hour race begins on Saturday, 25th January, at 13:40 local time (19:40 CET). All session can be watched live on www.imsa.tv.

Partnership with Champion Ignition enters its second season.
With the race at Daytona, the partnership between BMW M Motorsport and spark plug manufacturer Champion enters its second season. The Champion logo will continue to be featured on the two BMW M Hybrid V8s of BMW M Team RLL, as it was in 2024. The successful partnership will also continue in the DTM with one of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO cars featuring the Champion branding. The focus in 2025 is on expanding the collaboration to a technological level. Among other things, both partners are looking to find optimisations for the P66/3 combustion engine used in the hybrid system of the BMW M Hybrid V8, where the ignition system plays a crucial role. On-site, BMW M Motorsport offers employees, customers, and guests of Champion exclusive experiences and provides extraordinary insights into the operations at the racetrack. Both partners also closely coordinate their activation measures and marketing communications.

In just a few months last season, BMW M Motorsport and Champion celebrated a 1-2 finish for the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Indianapolis (USA), as well as three wins, five podium finishes, and the team title for Schubert Motorsport in the DTM. “It’s great to be able to continue and even expand our partnership with Champion. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration in our programmes in IMSA and DTM. In 2024, the Champion logo on our cars brought us luck,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH.