Amidst sunny skies and a record attendance, the stage was set for BMW M Team WRT’s home race at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). However, the day proved to be challenging as both the BMW M Hybrid V8s and the BMW M4 GT3s faced obstacles, resulting in a disappointing outcome for BMW M Motorsport.
In the Hypercar class, the two BMW M Hybrid V8s finished in positions 11 and 13 after enduring six hours of racing, which were marred by a nearly two-hour interruption due to a red flag. Despite a strong qualifying session, the teams struggled to make progress on the track, ultimately missing out on a podium finish.
Similarly, the BMW M4 GT3s, competing in the LMGT3 class, faced premature retirements through no fault of their own. Despite securing promising starting positions, both cars encountered unfortunate incidents during the race, leading to their withdrawal from competition.
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, acknowledged the setbacks, stating, “This weekend didn’t go as we had hoped. After Imola, it was a setback. Now, it’s time to look ahead. The next race is Le Mans, and with all the bad luck we’ve had here, maybe we’ll have more good luck there.”
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, emphasized the need to analyze the mistakes made during the race, while also highlighting the team’s commitment to bounce back stronger in future races.
Despite the challenges faced, drivers remained optimistic about the future races. Raffaele Marciello, reflecting on the difficulties encountered during the race, expressed determination to improve and perform better in the next race.
As the fourth race in the FIA WEC 2024 season approaches, teams are gearing up for the highly anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15th/16th June.
Reactions from team officials and drivers underscored the disappointment of the outcome but also emphasized the resilience and determination to overcome challenges in the upcoming races.
