Insight: Behind the Scenes at Team WRT’s BMW LMDh Test

Sportscar365 joins Team WRT at Spa as it tests the BMW M Hybrid V8…

When a manufacturer ventures out to a circuit to test one of its cars, it’s usually shrouded in a certain degree of secrecy. In most cases, the manufacturer in question sends out some information after the fact, like the drivers involved, some photos, a mileage figure and a short description of what running was completed. 

It’s rare that you get an actual look at what goes on during such a test. With manufacturers often carefully selecting what actually gets made public, there’s a lot that you don’t see.

Last week, BMW M Motorsport invited Sportscar365 to attend a Team WRT test with the BMW M Hybrid V8, providing a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the Belgian squad’s efforts as it prepares to step up to the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024.

Across a three-day test five drivers took turns behind the wheel of a single car: Robin Frijns, Marco Wittmann, Nick Yelloly, Maxime Martin and Rene Rast. When we joined for the third and final running day on Friday, Frijns drove in the morning while Wittmann took to the track in the afternoon.

Bruno Spengler, Augusto Farfus and Jens Klingmann were also present, carrying out development work for the BMW M4 GT3 EVO simultaneously.

Frijns, the newest addition to the BMW factory driver roster, installed himself behind the wheel of the Dallara-chassied machine to take to the track for a planned 9 a.m. start. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, Mother Nature forced him to be a bit patient. As is typical at Spa, rain resulted in delays. It was a pattern that would repeat for almost the entire day, although the weather improved towards the end of the day.