The 2026 season has marked a notable turnaround for BMW, which, after three years with limited results, has managed to refresh its strategy with the M Hybrid V8. Now, with the collaboration of the WRT team, expectations for this season have increased significantly.
With the update of the Evo package, BMW has decided to focus on two fundamental aspects: durability and vehicle handling. Marco Wittmann, the team’s driver, highlighted that, although they may have lost a bit of performance in qualifying, they have gained consistency during the races, which has been demonstrated in their strong performance in competitions.
Notable successes in the FIA WEC
In the FIA WEC, victories at Spa-Francorchamps and Sao Paulo highlight the progress made, with a standout result at Le Mans, where the BMW team finished just 10.913 seconds behind the winning Toyota, marked as the closest finish without pit interventions.
The triumph in Indianapolis in the GTP category, led by Sheldon van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor, has also been a high point, with refined driving that allowed them to perform at their best on different circuits, despite some initial challenges at the start of the season.
Agile team building in the United States
WRT, which had to build its North American operation within a very tight timeframe, did an exceptional job to be ready for the Daytona race, culminating in an immediate podium finish. Wittmann also emphasized key moments such as qualifying on the front row in Long Beach and podium finishes in Detroit and Laguna Seca.
The season has revealed one of BMW’s major challenges, with a car that often displayed uneven performances among drivers. Wittmann commented that it is crucial to be in a good position during the final hours of the race, and they have acknowledged that they haven’t always managed to maintain the necessary consistency.
An optimistic outlook for the future
Despite the obstacles, Wittmann believes that the season has been interesting, with significant improvements in driving regulations within the championship. The competition in IMSA presents a unique style that has evolved towards more fairness and respect among drivers.
With the upcoming season on the horizon, WRT aims to translate the advancements in driving into a constant challenge for the North American championship, just as they have achieved in the FIA WEC. The 2026 season could be just the beginning of a new chapter for BMW in the world of racing.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
