11.6.2019. Le Mans. The BMW Team MTEK is this weekend (15./16. June) the world to ride the famous 24-hour race of Le Mans (FRA) best. Thus, the “Super Season” will be 2018/19 for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) do you find exciting at the end.
The Team from Garching (GER) is in the race before that, two BMW M8 GTE. Both vehicles had to be celebrated in the debut season of the BMW in the WEC podium successes. In the car with the start number 81 Martin Tomczyk (GER) and Nick Catsburg (NED) will) be amplified again by Philipp Eng (AUT. Jesse Krohn (FIN) will make his Le Mans debut at the side of the two regular drivers António Félix da Costa (POR) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) in the #82 sister car.
BMW concedes in this year in Le Mans, a special anniversary, because exactly 20 years ago, the BMW V12 LMR took the overall victory. In honor of this special success, the winning vehicle will be issued at the time, this weekend.
Content
- Quotes before the 24-hour race of Le Mans.
- Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):
- Ernest Knoors (team principal, BMW Team MTEK):
- Martin Tomczyk (#81 BMW M8 GTE ):
- Nick Catsburg (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
- Philipp Eng (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
- António Félix da Costa (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
- Augusto Farfus (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
- Jesse Krohn (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
Quotes before the 24-hour race of Le Mans.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):
“The 24 hours of Le Mans not only play in the world of Motorsport to extremely large role, but also in the entire automotive world. Even if we have decided to leave the WEC after the end of the ‘Super Season’, to focus us in the context of our future strategy even more, we are all proud to be able once again to this legendary course to compete. It is for all Involved – the Team, drivers, engineers, mechanics – a Highlight. Each Individual gives everything to complete this Chapter successfully. Our Le-Mans-history like to take a break, but our passion for the race remains undiminished.“
Ernest Knoors (team principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“It’s nice to Le Mans return, but it is a pity that it’s our last Event of the WEC. We need to focus on, the best Performance for BMW and for MTEK out and the result of reap, has earned the project. The conditions under which we always have to drive, we want to make the Best of it. Le Mans is a long race with very changeable conditions, so it will not be easy. We have the best possible, but it will require a perfect strategy and a bit of luck, to stand at the very top. Luck is always a combination of preparation and opportunities, and we hope to benefit this weekend.“
Martin Tomczyk (#81 BMW M8 GTE ):
“After the Pre-Test, we were quite satisfied. We could run through our programme on both cars without problem. It was a good feeling to be back in Le Mans and to do the first meters there. The car runs good, and the Set-up seems to be in order. It is currently only a bit of power. I know that it is a difficult task, but as a driver you want to achieve always the maximum Performance. If you realize that the cars have a larger gap, is not so easy to understand, because the car feels very good. Overall, I think that we are ready for the race. The Team is in a good mood, all of them are prepared top. It is the last WEC race for BMW Team MTEK and me this year. Therefore, we hope that we enjoy it and, of course, with a good result, the WEC can leave.“
Nick Catsburg (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
“Le Mans is one of the highlights of the Season. This Time, it is of course a bit different, because it is one of the coolest races of the year and at the same time, the last one for the BMW Team MTEK in the WEC. This is a little sad, but we will try to finish the Chapter with a good result. I think our car has the potential. In the past year, it was okay, we were competitive, but not resistant enough. I think that we shall succeed this Time better, after we worked a year-long intensive with the vehicle and it is better to know. Therefore, I hope for a better result. Martin, Philip, and I will of course do all of this.“
Philipp Eng (#81 BMW M8 GTE):
“Le Mans is the classic of course is par excellence. It is sometimes, in my eyes, the greatest car race in the world. After our great Triumph in Daytona, it would be an incredibly beautiful story, to win with a BMW in Le Mans. Of course that would be a hell of a highlight, not only in my 2019, but in my career, and then so, together with BMW. I’m incredibly happy and proud about this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to the entire race weekend in Le Mans. How our Performance looks like in the race, we will see. After the Test, we are with the Balance and driveability of the BMW M8 GTE very satisfied.“
António Félix da Costa (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
“I am really looking forward to my second deployment in the 24 hours of Le Mans. It is one of the biggest races in the world to 2018 what an incredible experience. This year, we go with even more experience to the race, not only I, but also the Team. We know the car even better and more detailed. I hope that we can achieve as a farewell from the WEC a good result.“
Augusto Farfus (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
“It’s our last race in the WEC. Therefore, it is for the entire Team, especially emotionally. We have been working in front of our WEC debut hard together to try to win this race. We are very well prepared and hope that we have the necessary Pace to the competition challenge.“
Jesse Krohn (#82 BMW M8 GTE):
“I’m for the first Time in Le Mans, but as long as I can remember, it was always a dream of mine to race here. Now to get the Chance to do so, is an additional Motivation to give it your all. It is the most famous long-distance race in the world, and I can’t wait that it starts. The track is incredible – it is exactly as I imagined it would be. You can feel the history and start over because the Chance is relatively small, here, is each round, you may drive an even greater privilege.“
Le Mans (FRA), 10th June 2019. BMW M Motorsport, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #81 BMW M8 GTE, BMW Team MTEK, Martin Tomczyk (GER), Nicky Catsburg (NED), Philipp Eng (AUT), #82 BMW M8 GTE, BMW Team MTEK, Augusto Farfus (BRA), António Félix da Costa (POR), Jesse Krohn (FIN). (Photo: BMW AG)
