BMW Team MTEK is in France for the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend (15th/16th June), for what promises to be an exciting finale to the 2018/2019 World Endurance Championship (WEC) Super Season.
The team from Garching (GER) will again field a pair of BMW M8 GTEs, which have both had podium success in the manufacturerâs debut WEC season. In the #81 car, Martin Tomcyzk (GER) and Nick Catsburg (NED) will once again be joined by Philipp Eng (AUT). Jesse Krohn (FIN) will make his Le Mans debut alongside season regulars AntĂłnio FĂŠlix da Costa (POR) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) in the #82 sister car.
BMW celebrates a special anniversary at Le Mans this year, as it marks 20 years since the BMW V12 LMR claimed the overall win in the 24-hour race. To honour this success, the race-winning car will be on display this weekend at Le Mans.
Comments ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):
âThe 24 Hours of Le Mans is an event that plays a huge role, not only in the world of motorsport, but also automotive. Although we decided to quit WEC after the end of this âSuper Seasonâ in light of us sharpening our focus as part of our strategy for the future, we are all proud to get another chance to race on this legendary circuit. Itâs a highlight for everybody involved â the team, drivers, engineers, mechanics. Every single member is pushing hard to end this chapter on a high. Our Le Mans history may be taking a break, but our passion for the race remains.â
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
âItâs nice to be back at Le Mans but itâs sad that itâs our final event in WEC. We have to focus on getting the best performance for BMW and for MTEK and do the project proud. Whatever the conditions are that we have to race under, we will make the most of it. Le Mans is a long race with a lot of changing conditions so itâll be tough. Weâre as prepared as we can be but itâs going to take perfect strategy and some good luck to take the top step. Luck is always preparation meeting opportunities so we hope to be able to capitalise on some this weekend.â
Martin Tomczyk (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
âAfter the pre-test we were quite okay. We ran through our programme without any issues on both cars. It was good to be back at Le Mans and to do the first metres there. Basically the car is running well and set-up seems to be fine. We are just lacking a bit in performance. I know itâs a difficult task but as a driver you always look out for the maximum performance, and when you see quite a big gap between the cars itâs not that easy to understand because the car felt quite good. But overall I think we are ready for the race. The team did quite well, theyâre prepared themselves very nicely. It will be the last race for BMW Team MTEK and myself in WEC this year so we hope we can enjoy it and hopefully with a nice result to finish up WEC.â
Nick Catsburg (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
âLe Mans is obviously one of the highlights of the season. It has a bit of both extremes of emotions because itâs one of the coolest races of the year but itâs also the last race for us at BMW Team MTEK in WEC. That is obviously not so nice. But letâs try and finish off with a good result. I think we have a car to do it. Last year we were okay, we were competitive but not reliable. I think this year we will have a bit more reliability after one year of working on and getting to know the car. So hopefully we can do a better result. For sure, me, Martin and Philipp will try as hard as we can.â
Philipp Eng (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
âIt goes without saying that Le Mans is the all-time classic. In my eyes it is one of the greatest car races in the world. After our big win at Daytona it would be unbelievably amazing to win at Le Mans with BMW. It would be a phenomenal highlight, not only in 2019 but in my career, and alongside BMW. Iâm incredibly happy, and proud of this opportunity. Iâm very much looking forward to the entire week at Le Mans. For performance in the race, we will have to see. After the test, we were very happy with the balance and with the drivability of the BMW M8 GTE.â
AntĂłnio FĂŠlix da Costa (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
âIâm really looking forward to my second go at the 24 hours of Le Mans. Itâs one of the biggest races in the world and last year was such an amazing experience. This year, weâre coming in with a lot more experience, not only me, but the team. We know the car much better and itâs much more reliable. So hopefully we can pull decent result as our goodbye to WEC.â
Augusto Farfus (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
âIt is the last race in the WEC for us so itâs going to be very emotional for the whole team. Weâve been working together since before WEC to try and win this race. We are very well-prepared but we hope that we are given enough pace to challenge.â
Jesse Krohn (#82 BMW M8 GTE):Â âItâs my first time at Le Mans but itâs been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. To finally get the chance to race here makes it extra motivating to succeed. Itâs the best-known endurance race on the planet and I canât wait for the week to get stated. The track is amazing â itâs exactly as I imagined it. You can feel the heritage and, because itâs so rare to drive there, you feel like it is a real privilege to start every lap that you do.â
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