BMW M Motorsport has revealed that two factory-aligned teams will run the M4 GT3 during the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS season.
The announcement includes official confirmation that Team WRT, the most successful outfit in Fanatec GT history, will switch to BMW machinery following the conclusion of its long partnership with Audi. The number of cars entered and driver line-ups are yet to be defined.
Competing under the new name of BMW M Team WRT, the Belgian squad is scheduled to undertake a programme that combines the full Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS and Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli seasons. The latter will begin at the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour (3-5 February), prior to which WRT will make its first start with the M4 GT3 in January as a privateer entry at the 24 Hours of Dubai.
Team WRT's 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS effort is likely to involve both Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts after the Belgian duo were announced as part of BMW's factory driver line-up for 2023. The three-time Sprint Cup champions are the latest additions to the 20-strong roster, with Maxime Martin and Rene Rast among the other big-name recruits.
As well as Team WRT, German squad ROWE Racing is set to maintain its two-car assault on the Fanatec GT Endurance Cup next term. The two-time TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa winner enjoyed a strong 2022 campaign, with its 'junior' line-up of Daniel Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen showing especially well. The young trio have all been named as factory drivers for 2023.
In addition to cars from Team WRT and ROWE Racing, further BMW entries are possible from privateer squads and at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa. The 2023 campaign will begin with the traditional test days at Circuit Paul Ricard on 7-8 March. The Endurance Cup launches at Monza on 21-23 April, while the Sprint season gets under way at Brands Hatch on 13-14 May.