BMW is Headed Back to Le Mans, Getting into Formula E

BMW is pushing further into motorsports announcing a reorganization of divisions, its intention to get back to Le Mans by 2018 and a partnership with a Formula E team. 

The German brand has announced a new singular auto racing division called BMW Group Motorsport, which will now include the motorsport activities of the Mini and ‘i’ brand. BMW thinks this will create efficiencies and should help with the development of new cutting-edge technologies.

BMW is now committing to a number of difference race leagues, including the FIA World Endurance Championship, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, DTM racing and the Dakar Rally with Mini. Aside from all those, BMW also announced a partnership with the Andretti Formula E team for two seasons, at the end of which BMW will consider entering its own team into the electric open-wheel race series.

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BMW will enter back into Le Mans in 2018 with a competitor in the LMGTE class, racing against Ferraris, Corvettes and Porsches. The last time BMW competed at Le Mans was in 2011 where the brand finished third in the LMGTE class.

Currently, BMW runs the M6 GTLM in the IMSA WeatherTech series and offers GT3 and GT4 race cars for purchase.