BMW M TEAM WRT EXPANDS INTO IMSA SERIES, A NEW EXCITING JOURNEY STARTS!
Team WRT opens a new, exciting chapter of its racing life. As of 2026, the Belgian squad founded in 2009 will field the BMW M Hybrid V8 in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series), in addition to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) programme. In doing so, Team WRT further consolidates its partnership with BMW M Motorsport and doubles its Hypercar programme.
The BMW M Team WRT GTP programme will cover the entire IMSA season, including both endurance and sprint races. The first track outing is scheduled for the IMSA Sanctioned Test at Daytona (USA) in November.
BMW M Team WRT will operate out of its new base near Charlotte, North Carolina. The squad is already moving into the new 20,000 square feet facilities, located in an area which is a notorious motor racing hub, close to all necessary suppliers and service providers. The squad will have a personnel base of over 40 people, part of which have already been recruited and are already operational.
Vincent VOSSE, Team Principal BMW M Team WRT & co-CEO W Racing Team: "We have never made it a secret that we are very interested in competing in North America, and in particular in the IMSA Series. This wish is now becoming a reality, and opening this new chapter in Team WRT’s history is just fantastic. We are going to be involved in a fascinating racing scene, such as the American one, of which we had just a taste in the past, through our successes in US rounds of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, and our two participations in the GT category at the 24 Hours of Daytona, both concluded with podium finishes. Still, we have never contested the full IMSA season. We are facing a great challenge, but our team has gained a lot of experience worldwide over the past ten years, and we feel ready for this challenge.We know the BMW M Hybrid V8, we know the drivers and we can’t wait to get started. Many thanks to BMW M Motorsport for the trust and this fantastic opportunity!"
Kathleen SCHURMANS, co-CEO W Racing Team: "We are over the moon with the launch of our racing operations in the USA together with our partner BMW. I am extremely proud and grateful of the courage shown by WRT’s stakeholders and owners in taking this step fearless, the trust placed in us by BMW and our drivers, and the dedication of our colleagues who went the extra mile to make this a reality in just a few months. This expansion brings exciting career opportunities, new competitive challenges, and even more enjoyment for everyone involved. We are anxious to start this new journey, together with BMW, our drivers, fans, and new partners. Let’s do what we do best: race hard and win!"
