LMDh is a higher priority.
Herbert Diess, the Volkswagen Group’s supremo, confirmed that Volkswagen Group wants to join Formula 1 with Porsche and Audi. The new regulations that will revamp the competition (again), will not be in place until 2026. This will allow combustion engines to switch to completely synthetic fuel. BMWBLOG was curious to see if Bayerische Motoren Werke AG would like to join the fray within four years.
Bavaria’s peeps have no plans to return. Frank Van Meel, BMW M boss, stated that the motorsport division of the M division had “no ambitions” for Formula 1. The M boss explained why the company wouldn’t return to Formula 1 after it had parted ways in 2009 with Sauber.
“It’s important for us to see the [electrification] story about transformation as quickly as possible. Formula 1 is still considering regulations regarding electrification. It was clear for us. Let’s move faster into this [electrification] section.”
Instead, the company is investing heavily in its Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh), racer. It is expected to be on the track for the 2024 season, as an entry for 2023 has been ruled out. Even if BMW does not reenter F1, it will still need to compete with the VW Group, since Lamborghini and Porsche are all working on LMDh projects. Acura, Cadillac and Alpine will join them, as well as Peugeot.
BMW’s motorsport division includes the M4 GT3 racecar. The GT4 version will be revealed at the VIRginia International Raceway in June during rounds five and six, of the 2022 SRO Americas Championship. The entry-level M2 CS Racing is also available, which is based upon the M2 F87. In the next few months, the compact sports coupe will be available in road-going form and will transition to the G87 model.
HTMLBLOG also confirmed that a teaser image of the LMDh racecar will be released in June.