After Wayne Taylor Racing, Action Express, and Proton Competition confirmed plans to request Hypercar entries at Le Mans with their IMSA GTP cars (joining Porsche Penske Motorsport’s third 963, earned via the IMSA GTP title), BMW’s potential for a third entry remains uncertain.
Historically, BMW’s U.S. service provider, Rahal Letterman Lanigan, has focused solely on domestic events and skipped the opportunity to compete at Le Mans during its time in GTLM and with the debut of the M Hybrid V8 in Hypercar for the 2024 season.
However, there are positive signs for BMW’s top-class program with the M Hybrid V8 as the 2025 season approaches. WRT showed improved performance in the second half of 2024 in the WEC, RLL had a breakthrough at Daytona this year, and the first “Joker” update focusing on braking performance has raised expectations for the project’s future.
The big question now is whether BMW will follow Cadillac, Porsche, and Ferrari (which benefits from a third AF Corse-run 499P in the WEC) and apply for an additional car at Le Mans in 2025.
BMW M Motorsport boss Andreas Roos told RACER that while BMW is considering expanding its Hypercar presence at Le Mans, the move must make financial sense before being approved.
“It’s always nice to have more cars on the grid, but you have to get it financed,” Roos explained. “We always look into it. The more cars we have, the better, but we need to be realistic. It’s not just about having a car on the grid; the entire package must come together without overextending ourselves.”
It’s not guaranteed that BMW Team RLL will make its Hypercar debut at Le Mans. However, the team’s impressive performance at the Rolex 24 Hours last month—where they took pole, set the fastest lap, and remained in the hunt for the overall win until the final hours—could improve their chances.
If BMW does apply for a third car, it would add to the difficult decisions facing the ACO’s Le Mans entry selection committee. With only 62 spots available, 47 of which are already filled by full-season WEC entrants and 11 auto-invite recipients from the ELMS, Asian Le Mans Series, and IMSA, space on the grid is limited.
Many key teams from the IMSA SportsCar Championship and ACO-sanctioned series worldwide are vying for spots, and the first draft of the 2025 Le Mans entry list is expected to be released next week.