BMW Signs Up Frijns For FIA WEC Hypercar Effort

Dutch racer Robin Frijns has been signed as a BMW M works driver, returning to the M Motorsport family after 13 years away.

This new deal for the former Audi factory driver will see him compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship with BMW M Team WRT in one of its M Hybrid V8s in the Hypercar category.

He will also be heavily involved in WRT’s ongoing test programme with the M Hybrid V8, which began in June at Aragon after the team received its first chassis post Le Mans. Frijns wasn’t a named driver in that initial test in Spain.

“It is fantastic to return to BMW M Motorsport after so many years – the place it all started for me in Formula BMW Europe. I am looking forward to the new challenges, which will include being part of the test programme for the WEC entry in 2024 with the BMW M Hybrid V8,” said Frijns. “The prospect of driving this car and, in doing so, becoming part of a new golden era of motor racing is great motivation.”

Frijns rejoins BMW after being a member of its driver stable early in his career. In 2010, he won the Formula BMW Europe title, making him the last champion in the junior racing series.

He also has longstanding ties with WRT. With the Belgian team Frijns was crowned FIA WEC champion in the LMP2 class in 2021 and also celebrated a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. He also won the Bathurst 12 Hour with WRT in 2018, as well as the Blancpain GT Sprint title in 2017 and the Blancpain GT Series Driver’s title in 2015.

“With his versatility and wealth of experience in prototype racing, Robin Frijns is a fantastic addition to our squad of works drivers,” said Andreas Roos, the head of BMW M Motorsport.

“He will initially be involved in the test programme with the BMW M Hybrid V8 for WEC. He knows the team and the race series very well and can certainly make a valuable contribution to a successful preparation for the 2024 season. A glance at his previous successes shows that Frijns is also an extremely good GT driver.

“However, we will make a decision regarding any possible race outings at a later date. First of all, we are very pleased to have him with us in the BMW M Motorsport family.”

DSC sources have indicated that another high-profile driver, not currently signed to BMW, has been testing the LMDh chassis and is also set to join the team ahead of next season.

Images courtesy of BMW