BMW M Hybrid V8
First drive of an LMDh car on the track
BMW M Motorsport had three GT3 drivers take part in the official rookie test held the day after the final WEC race, the Bahrain 8 Hours. Pictured is Rossi driving the No. 20 car.
Prior to the official rookie test, Rossi, Harper and Hesse will be using the simulator at BMW M Motorsport in Munich, Germany, to familiarise themselves with the BMW M Hybrid V8. Hesse contributed to development work at the factory during the season, and both Hesse and Harper have experience taking part in aerodynamic tests with the BMW M Hybrid V8.
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, explained the purpose of this rookie test:
“The rookie test in Bahrain was a great way to end a long and demanding 2024 season. It’s a great event to give young drivers the opportunity to drive prototype racing cars. Looking at the timing monitors, the three rookies we sent out did a great job.”
“MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi and of course Dan Harper and Max Hesse, who have progressed through the BMW Junior Programme and are now BMW M Motorsport works drivers, both showed very good performances.”
“All three of them got out of the cockpit with beaming smiles on their faces after their first drive of the BMW M Hybrid V8. The day will remain etched in their hearts. We learned a lot, and they learned a lot too. All in all, it was a very productive rookie test.”
Rossi thoroughly enjoyed his first test
Rossi, who tested the BMW M Hybrid V8 for the first time, was full of praise for its performance.
Over two sessions totalling five hours, the three drivers were able to accumulate mileage in the BMW M Hybrid V8 at the same circuit where the WEC final took place, with Rossi driving the BMW M Team WRT No. 20 car, while Harper and Hesse took turns driving the No. 15 car.
For Rossi, this was the first time he had driven a hypercar in his motorsport career, and after completing the rookie test, he spoke with a big smile, saying:
“It was a fantastic day today. I got to drive the BMW M Hybrid V8 with Rene Rast giving me advice all day long. It was a lot of fun. The car’s performance was simply fantastic – very fast and very powerful. The power was simply incredible, the lap times were 15 seconds faster than the GT3 and the tyres had incredible grip. This is truly a racing car.”
“This was my first time driving a hypercar, so to be honest I was quite nervous before the test. However, I had a really great feeling from the first lap. The car was always stable and I received good feedback. It’s not easy to drive fast, but I was surprised at how much fun it was to drive. I’d like to thank BMW M Motorsport for giving me such a great experience, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to test this car again.”
It was also an unforgettable day for Harper, who experienced driving the BMW M Hybrid V8 on an actual circuit for the first time.
“It was an amazing experience. It was definitely the most memorable race car I have ever driven. The biggest challenge of the test was getting used to the brakes of a prototype race car. Of course, the speed and acceleration were insane and it was a lot of fun. As a racing driver, you always want a little more, but it was by no means easy to drive. It requires precision and is not as forgiving of small mistakes as a GT3. I hope this will not be my last drive.”
