BMW last won Le Mans in 1999. Could return in 2018
BMW could be plotting a return to Le Mans by 2018 if the rules allow a hydrogen-fuelled vehicle to compete. According to sources, BMW’s board has already given the project their support, believing that Le Mans provides a good platform to launch nascent technology in a competitive motorsport environment. BMW won Le Mans in 1999 with the V12 prototype developed alongside the Williams F1 team and the new car would fall under BMW’s existing i-brand. B
MW in conjunction with Toyota has been working on hydrogen technology, leading up to the testing phase of a BMW 5 Series hydrogen model. Toyota’s efforts on this technology partnership will come to fruition in the Toyota Mirai.
At this moment it is not clear whether the BMW Le Mans racer would compete in LMP1 or in the non-competitive experimental class known as Garage 56. The argument against LMP1 is that BMW would face up against experienced teams in Porsche and Audi and compete against their close association with Toyota. Further barriers to LMP1 would require a change to the rules to accommodate hydrogen power amongst the current hybrid systems. Garage 56 would make more sense although could be viewed as sign of BMW accepting defeat against main rivals.
In an interview with Autosport, BMWmotorsport boss Jens Marquardt poured cold water on LMP1. “LMP1 is, at the moment, the big hybrid thing, and in there we wouldn’t be the leader,” he said. “We wouldn’t even be the fast follower, we would be a slow follower now, as the fifth [after Audi, Toyota, Porsche and Nissan] manufacturer joining in”
