Ready for the next step: last year’s Junior winner Jesse Krohn joins BMW Motorsport’s GT programme

The BMW Motorsport Junior programme enters the next round for Jesse Krohn (FI) in 2015. The winner of the first class to come through BMW’s new programme for promoting young GT and touring car drivers, which was launched in 2014, will undertake a full programme of racing in the BMW Z4 GTE and BMW Z4 GT3 in his second year. Earlier this month provided Krohn with the first opportunity of his still fledgling career to demonstrate his talent at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GTE. The 24-year-old completed a comprehensive test on the BMW premises in Miramas (FR). 

After gaining valuable experience in the BMW M235i Racing, with which he lined up at selected races in 2014, Krohn is now taking the next step in his career as a GT driver. This season, the 24-year-old BMW Motorsport Junior will race for the Marc VDS Racing Team in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), where he will share the cockpit of the BMW Z4 GTE with BMW works driver Andy Priaulx (GB) and Henry Hassid (FR). Krohn will also have the opportunity to add to his experience at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE), where he will contest the entire season of the VLN Endurance Championship in a BMW Z4 GT3. 

“We are pleased that the first year of our new junior programme has unearthed such a talented driver as Jesse Krohn,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “A place on our GT programme awaits him in his second season. It will be a busy and challenging year for Jesse. However, his outstanding performances in his first season leave use confident that he is ready to take the next step. We will offer him as much support as possible as he takes that step.” 

“I am living my motorsport dream at the moment,” said Krohn. “To be able to drive the BMW Z4 in two such awesome series as the ELMS and VLN in my second year as a BMW Motorsport Junior is fantastic. I am sure I will benefit from the wealth of experience possessed by the Marc VDS Racing Team and drivers like Andy Priaulx. I am looking forward to another year of learning, and will do everything in my power to meet my own expectations.” 

Krohn will be able to use tests prior to the season to familiarise himself with the cars and his team-mates. His first competitive outing will come at the opening race of the VLN season on 28th March. Which team he lines up for in the “Green Hell” will be announced at a later date. The ELMS season gets underway on 11th April with the race in Silverstone (GB). As well as his race outings, Krohn will also be on hand to offer help and advice to the second generation of BMW Motorsport Juniors in their first year on the BMW junior programme in 2015. 

Last year, Krohn was one of four talented youngsters accepted onto the newly formed BMW Motorsport Junior programme. Over the course of the year, the young drivers gained valuable practical experience in the BMW M235i Racing and Formula BMW FB02, under the guidance of BMW works driver Dirk Adorf (DE). They also completed theoretical training, as well as mental coaching and sessions in the simulator. 

Krohn took part in numerous VLN races in the BMW M235i Racing, meaning he already knows the Nürburgring-Nordschleife very well. The “BMW Motorsport Junior of the Year” award at the traditional BMW Motorsport season review in December was the icing on the cake at the end of a profitable year for the Finn. 

Having made its debut last year, the BMW Motorsport Junior programme now enters its second season. The talented youngsters who will participate in BMW Motorsport’s multi-level junior programme in 2015 are yet to be confirmed. The selection process ends with a shoot-out at Monteblanco (ES) on 17th/18th March. Afterwards the new BMW Motorsport Juniors will be decided.