2021 Season: BMW M8 GTE to race only endurance event

BMW Motorsport announced its U.S. racing plans for 2021 ahead of Daytona’s 24 hours at the end of this month. As anticipated, the BMW M8 GTE will have a reduced schedule this year, with only four races on the calendar.

The four races are Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta. “Motorsport and specifically an IMSA program have been fundamental to our marketing efforts in North America,” said Victor Leleu, Manager of the BMW NA Motorsport.

“This year will see us focus on the four races that compose the Michelin Endurance Cup and the 52 toughest hours in sports car endurance racing. Of course, we would like to see all of our BMW fans at every IMSA venue, but this is the decision we have made to ensure a winning future. We look forward to the competition in Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta.”

In the 2021 IMSA season, the Porsche factory team pulled out, so this year there are only three cars to compete in the GTLM class-Corvette with two cars and the WeatherTech Porsche. Some claim that BMW’s option has to do with the high cost of the worldwide GTLM and GTE races. The current pandemic, of course, has only made matters even more complicated.

Driver Lineup

Four 2020 full-season drivers, Connor De Philippi and Bruno Spengler in the No. 25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE. John Edwards and Jesse Krohn in the No. 24 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE will anchor the driver lineup for the Rolex 24. 2019 Rolex 24 co-driver and champion Philipp Eng will rejoin the No. 25 M8 GTE. Veteran Timo Glock will be the fourth driver in the No. 25 car to start at Daytona. The No. 24 M8 GTE will be joined by Augusto Farfus, co-driver in both previous Rolex 24 victories. Marco Wittmann, DTM champion in 2014 and 2016, will complete the No. 24 M8 GTE quartet.