march 25, 2021 - BMW Motorsport

Walkenhorst Motorsport to contest Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe with two BMW M6 GT3s

Munich. BMW M Motorsport and Walkenhorst Motorsport are embarking on their next major project. The team, that won the Intercontinental GT Challenge drivers’ title with Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Nick Catsburg (NED) last season, will contest the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS with two BMW M6 GT3s and top-class drivers in 2021. The endurance specialists will enter the Endurance Cup, consisting of five races on some of the most famous racetracks in Europe. The highlight of the season is the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), which Walkenhorst Motorsport won in 2018. The official test drives are scheduled to be taking place at the ‘Circuit Paul Ricard’ at Le Castellet (FRA) this week.

At the wheel of the two BMW M6 GT3s this season will be BMW works drivers Timo Glock (GER), Martin Tomczyk (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Marco Wittmann (GER). The two remaining spots will be filled by Walkenhorst Motorsport drivers David Pittard (GBR) and Thomas Neubauer (FRA).

“After a successful IGTC season in 2020, we are all highly motivated to build on those successes,” said Niclas Königbauer, Walkenhorst Motorsport Team Manager. “We are in the middle of intensive preparations and will do our best to bring home fitting results for the BMW M6 GT3’s farewell season. I’m delighted with our new driver line-up, and know that with this we have laid an important foundation for achieving our goals. We will have a strong package, and as a team we are really looking forward to the challenges of the 2021 season.”

After the official test drives, it is on to the crucial phase of preparations for the season opener at Monza (ITA) on 18^th April. With the exception of the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and the 6 Hours of Le Castellet, each of the Endurance Cup races will last three hours. The other venues are the Nürburgring (GER) and Barcelona (ESP).

As the first ever major GT race series in the world, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS is heading in a totally new direction this season, by integrating sim racing into the championship as a core element. In the run-up to each of the five endurance races there will be a Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series race on the simulation platform Assetto Corsa Competizione, in which a driver nominated by each of the teams will do battle for points for the real overall standings. A maximum of 15 points in total will be awarded in the sim races, which could prove crucial in the final reckoning.

Sheldon van der Linde (#34 BMW M6 GT3): “I’m very excited to be back onboard for a full endurance season with Walkenhorst Motorsport. My last race with the team at Kyalami turned out to be a massive success and one of my biggest highlights of my GT career so far. We hope to build on that this season and bring value to the team with a mix of experience and youth in our line-up. The aim for us should be to win more races and see where that takes us by the end of the year.”

Marco Wittmann (#34 BMW M6 GT3): “I’m delighted to be collaborating with Walkenhorst Motorsport. The GT World Challenge Europe is a new experience for me, but my goal is to enjoy a successful season with my driver colleagues and the team – hopefully with spectators once again, as soon as the pandemic situation allows.”

David Pittard (#34 BMW M6 GT3): “I’m really excited for my next challenge as I continue my development with BMW M Motorsport and Walkenhorst Motorsport in the GT World Challenge Europe in 2021. I am again provided with a great package to learn and develop my skills by working with BMW works drivers. I believe the pairing with Sheldon van der Linde and Marco Wittmann will be extremely competitive; these guys have been the fastest BMW DTM drivers in previous years and I believe we can challenge for strong positions in the championship and the Spa 24 Hours.”

Timo Glock (#35 BMW M6 GT3): “I’m really looking forward to returning to endurance racing and to the joint challenge with Walkenhorst Motorsport. I’m super happy that I finally get to drive in a car with Martin Tomczyk. That’s never happened before. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together with Thomas Neubauer and the BMW M6 GT3.”

Martin Tomczyk (#35 BMW M6 GT3): “The GT World Challenge Europe will be a new challenge for me as well. However, my experience of SRO race series has always been that they are highly professional. I have often said to Timo Glock that we should drive in a car as team-mates sometime – now it is finally happening. With Thomas Neubauer we have a new driver on board, and I am really looking forward to getting to know him. Generally speaking, I can’t wait until we can get back to racing.”

Thomas Neubauer (#35 BMW M6 GT3): “I am very happy to be joining Walkenhorst Motorsport and BMW M Motorsport for this upcoming 2021 season. I feel really lucky to be part of such an important programme and I am really grateful for this amazing opportunity. I will be up to the task and will do everything to make the team and the BMW brand shine on the podium.”

Overview of the Driver Line-Ups:

#34 BMW M6 GT3:

Sheldon van der Linde

Marco Wittmann

David Pittard

#35 BMW M6 GT3:

Timo Glock

Martin Tomczyk

Thomas Neubauer

Overview of the Endurance Cup Races:

16^th-18^th April Monza (ITA)

28^th-30^th May Le Castellet (FRA)