Exceptional BMW M4 GT3 line-up at FIA GT World Cup

FIAGT

Oct 25

BMW M Motorsport will approach the FIA GT World Cup in Macau with four BMW M4 GT3s driven through the narrow streets of the Asian metropolis by four BMW M works drivers on 16th/17th November. Among them, two previous winners: Marciello (two wins) and Farfus (one win).

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Nürburgring July 2024. Augusto Farfus in ROWE BMW M4 GT3, Rafaelle Marciello in Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 #46, Sheldon van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor with Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 #32.

Marciello’s first year with BMW M Motorsport

This year marks Raffaele Marciello's Macau debut with BMW M Motorsport. In 2023, he achieved his second-double of winning the qualification and main races on the Guia Circuit, following his first in 2019. It was also his farewell weekend with Mercedes. Raffaele Marciello's BMW M4 GT3 will be entered by Team TORO Racing powered by MCG. The Chinese squad is making its fifth appearance in Macau. TORO Racing celebrated a win and third place in 2020, second place in 2021, and dominated the GT4 category with a one-two finish in 2023. Since 2019, TORO Racing has been competing with BMW M Motorsport cars. Marciello's crew will be bolstered by staff from the Motorsport Competence Group (MCG), co-founded by Hans-Peter Naundorf, which has been managing race operations for BMW M Motorsport, including those of ROWE Racing, since 2016.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Lusail. Raffaele Marciello with #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 during Qatar 1812, first round of the WEC.

Raffaele Marciello: “I have won the last two editions of the FIA GT World Cup, but this time the situation is completely new for me as I will be driving the BMW M4 GT3 there for the first time. I have always had good fights with BMW in the past, especially with Augusto in 2018 and also in 2017. Now I am very much looking forward to being on the other side. I will do everything in my power to bring the trophy back to Munich.” Source: BMW M Motorsport

Augusto Farfus’ 2018 win at Macau

Last year, Augusto Farfus finished third in the main race driving the BMW M4 GT3 entered by ROWE Racing, also making it to the podium. The Brazilian celebrated his major triumph in 2018 with the BMW M6 GT3, clinching the qualifying and main race double. He also had a podium finish in the qualifying race in 2017 as the runner-up. Augusto Farfus will race for the Asian team KRC, which competes with the BMW M4 GT3 in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS and has already celebrated podium finishes in its class.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps. Augusto Farfus during Francorchamps 24H tests days with #998 BMW M4 GT3.

Augusto Farfus: “It is always an honour to be allowed to race in Macau. My victories in 2018 and the podium last year are unforgettable. Many thanks to BMW M Motorsport for their renewed trust! This time I will be competing with a new team, which will be a new challenge and experience. My goal is to do a flawless job and attack the podium again. Overall, BMW M Motorsport has a very strong line-up. I am very happy to be part of it again.” Source: BMW M Motorsport

Two Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 for van der Linde and Vanthoor

📷 © Luc Warnotte at 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Sheldon van der Linde in #32 BMW M4 GT3 he shared with Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts.

Dries Vanthoor third appearance

Dries Vanthoor participated in Macau in 2018 and 2019, notably recording the second-fastest qualifying time in 2019. Dries Vanthoor will drive one of the two BMW M4 GT3s for Team WRT.

Dries Vanthoor: “I am very glad that Macau is part of my racing calendar again this year. The event, the city, and the track are fantastic. From a sporting perspective, I still have a score to settle with the FIA GT World Cup from my previous starts. I hope to be able to settle that score with BMW M Motorsport now. We have a very strong line-up with four top cars. Hopefully, this will pay off for us.“ Source: BMW M Motorsport

Sheldon van der Linde second appearance.

Sheldon van der Linde is set for his second appearance in Macau following his debut last year. He will once again compete in the BMW M4 GT3 adorned with an exceptional Manhua design from BMW M Motorsport's Premium Technology Partner Shell. In 2023, the South African claimed a strong fifth place in the qualifying race but unfortunately retired from the main race due to a tyre issue while in contention for a podium finish. He will drive one of the two BMW M4 GT3s for Team WRT.

Sheldon van der Linde: “I can't wait to return to Macau and take a second shot at the podium, which I narrowly missed on my debut last year. This is my favourite event of the year, which I've been looking forward to since leaving Macau. Confidence is the key to success on this epic street circuit. Therefore, it will be important to bring together my experience and knowledge from last year so I can start full throttle. I can't wait for it to begin!” Source: BMW M Motorsport