The BMW M Team WRT GTP programme will officially make its debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next season, marking the Belgian squad’s first full-season campaign in the North American endurance racing scene. The effort will cover the entire IMSA calendar, including both endurance and sprint rounds, as WRT continues to strengthen its long-term partnership with BMW M Motorsport.

A New Chapter in BMW and WRT Collaboration

Operating out of its new facility near Charlotte, North Carolina, BMW M Team WRT will oversee the factory BMW M Hybrid V8 entries in the top GTP class, representing the manufacturer’s next step after concluding its 17-year collaboration with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. This transition marks a major milestone for both BMW and WRT as they seek to expand their success from Europe into one of the world’s most competitive sports car championships.

WRT’s Long-Held Ambition to Race in America

According to WRT, the move to IMSA represents the realisation of a long-held ambition to compete full-time in North America. Team Principal Vincent Vosse described the upcoming IMSA campaign as a fantastic new chapter in the team’s history, noting that WRT has long been eager to compete in the United States, particularly in IMSA. He admitted that while it will be a major challenge, the team’s decade of global experience and familiarity with the BMW M Hybrid V8 have prepared them well for the task. Vosse also expressed his gratitude to BMW M Motorsport for their trust and partnership, adding that the team is eager to get started.

Co-CEO Kathleen Schurmans added that the expansion reflects the team’s courage, the trust placed in them by BMW, and the dedication of WRT’s members who made the project possible within just a few months. She emphasised that this new venture brings exciting opportunities and challenges for the entire organisation while reaffirming WRT’s mission to continue doing what it does best — race hard and win.

Preparing for the 2026 Season

BMW has previously confirmed its future in IMSA next season and announced that Team WRT will take over the LMDh programme following the end of its partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing after a 17-year collaboration dating back to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) era.

“I am very pleased to be able to expand our excellent collaboration with BMW M Team WRT to include the IMSA Series starting next season,” said BMW M Motorsport Head Andreas Roos.

For Team WRT, the 2026 IMSA season will mark its first full campaign in the championship after previously contesting select events. Before entering the prestigious American endurance season, the Belgian outfit will begin preparations with an initial test session at Daytona International Speedway in November, setting the stage for its long-awaited full-time debut in North America.

The expansion into IMSA marks another major step in WRT’s global growth, adding to its already successful programmes in Europe and around the world. With BMW’s continued support and a proven track record in endurance racing, the team now looks to make its mark on American soil and fight for victories in 2026 and beyond.