WRT confirms entry for the 2026 IMSA season with the BMW M Hybrid V8
- Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Following its split from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) in July, BMW has partnered with its WEC entrant, Team WRT, to resume the M Hybrid V8 LMDh programme in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. The Belgian team will compete simultaneously in both series.
BMW's IMSA history
BMW has a long history when it comes to IMSA. The German brand has found success in the States since its 1975 debut in the IMSA GT Championship. The No.25 3.0 CSL secured BMW's first sports car victory in the United States after winning the 12 Hours of Sebring.
In 1986, BMW entered the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class with the BMW GTP, which was based on the March 86G. The car was powered by the Formula One-derived M12/14 turbocharged straight-four engine, a powerful unit that proved to be mechanically fragile.
The prototype was scheduled to debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona, but a fire during a test at Road Atlanta left the car too badly damaged to compete. BMW attempted to run three GTPs at Sebring, but one of the entries, driven by future team owner Bobby Rahal, was involved in a big accident.
The GTP's season was largely unimpressive, with a string of mechanical problems, but it would go on to take its lone victory at the hands of Davy Jones and John Andretti during the New York 500. BMW eventually left the IMSA GTP series at the end of the season.
M Hybrid V8 takes on endurance racing
BMW's partnership with the then Rahal Letterman Racing began with the 2009 American Le Mans Series (ALMS). They took victory with the M3 GT2 during the Road Race Showcase at Road America.
In 2011, the team clinched the GT teams and manufacturers' title. RLL would continue to be BMW's trusted partner in the newly formed United SportsCar Championship (later renamed IMSA SportsCar Championship) and achieved further success.
BMW then announced that it would expand its existing partnership with RLL, as the team will enter the 2023 IMSA season with the M Hybrid V8 LMDh. In tandem, W Racing Team (WRT) would debut the car in the following WEC season.
The M Hybrid V8 completed the first three rounds of its debut season with two podiums in Sebring and Long Beach. It would go on to take its first GTP victory at Watkins Glen after the winning Porsche was disqualified and took two more podium finishes at Road America and Indianapolis.
Ongoing struggles and a split with RLL
However, the M Hybrid V8 was unable to replicate its previous year's IMSA success in the WEC. Its first year in the world championship was marred by retirements, although consolation came with a podium in Fuji as BMW finished the season fifth in the Hypercar Constructors' Championship.
The 2024 IMSA season was a similar struggle; the car did not see a podium until its 1–2 finish at Indianapolis. Despite RLL securing four consecutive poles in the 2025 season, the team's best race result remained third place at Long Beach and Monterey.
In parallel, WRT collected a single podium in Imola, with the team scoring points from the Qatar season opener until Spa-Francorchamps. From Le Mans onward, the team's performance has been largely inconsistent.
In July, BMW decided to part ways with RLL for its IMSA operations despite the manufacturer's affirmation that it would continue to commit to its Hypercar programme. Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, said the move was part of "future planning" with a revised setup.
"I am very pleased that we will continue our successful Hypercar programme long-term in both the FIA WEC and the IMSA series.
"Over the past years, we’ve learned a great deal about our BMW M Hybrid V8, made significant progress, and established ourselves among the front-runners in both championships.
"As part of our future planning, we have decided to pursue our goals with a revised setup and not extend the contract with BMW M Team RLL for race operations in the IMSA series."
Ironically, after the announcement, RLL would go on to take a 1–2 victory in the SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America. Both sides look forward to ending their 17-year-long partnership on a higher note with the Petit Le Mans finale.
BMW M Team WRT GTP takes over the IMSA programme
In a bid to increase the M Hybrid V8's competitiveness in the 2026 WEC and IMSA seasons, BMW introduced an updated aero package in August. Whoever runs the car in the United States will also utilise this updated package.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that WRT would field the M Hybrid V8s starting the 2026 IMSA and WEC seasons. The Belgian side will likely join Team Penske and The Heart of Racing (THOR) to run Hypercars in both series, subject to a confirmed entry list.
Entering as the BMW M Team WRT GTP, the team would compete in all IMSA rounds and take to the track in November for the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona. WRT is currently establishing a new home in Charlotte for its American operations.
Roos was pleased to announce BMW's continued collaborations with WRT as it aligns with the brand's philosophy and its commitment to the Hypercar programme.
"I am very pleased that we are expanding our excellent collaboration with BMW M Team WRT to include the IMSA series starting next season.
"This aligns with our philosophy of focusing and specialising in the Hypercar programme. We applied this approach when assembling the driver crews for the BMW M Hybrid V8, and now we are taking the same path with the operational team.
"Together with BMW M Team WRT, we are pooling our strengths to achieve even greater success in both the FIA WEC and the IMSA series."
Vincent Vosse, the team principal of BMW M Team WRT, revealed that his side has always been interested in racing in IMSA. The team has taken part in the 24 Hours of Daytona before, but has yet to contest the season fully. Vosse felt WRT is ready to embark on this new challenge.
"I have never made it a secret that we are very interested in competing in the IMSA series.
"This wish is now becoming a reality. In the past, we have participated in the GT category at the 24 Hours of Daytona, but we have never contested the full 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."
