Le Mans Yesterday and Today: BMW

Among manufacturers with only one overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW deserves a mention for winning the world's toughest endurance race in 1999 with the V12 LMR prototype. However, focusing solely on this success would be reductive, as the Bavarian brand's story at the Circuit de la Sarthe began 60 years earlier.

On the eve of World War II, the Nazi regime in Germany used motorsports as propaganda, generously funding engineers and designers, including BMW at the 1939 Le Mans. Three cars were entered: two roadsters and a special Touring Superleggera coupé with low aerodynamic resistance, which achieved fifth overall and a class win in the 2000cc category on its debut. The car, advanced for its time, also triumphed at the 1940 Mille Miglia months later.

BMW debuted at Le Mans in 1939 in style, winning the 2000cc class with the 328 Touring Coupé.

BMW returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1970s with the 3.0 CSL, nicknamed "Batmobile", which proved highly competitive. Its debut season in 1973 brought great success with a class victory at Le Mans and the European Touring Car Championship. The "Batmobile" became iconic, enhancing BMW's sporty image.

The BMW 3.0 CSL, nicknamed “Batmobile,” won its class at Le Mans in 1973.

The 1975 Le Mans saw BMW's first Art Car, a concept initiated by auctioneer and gentleman-driver Hervé Poulain. The car, painted by American artist Alexander Calder, brought art to the track. In 1979, BMW's best Art Car result was sixth overall, achieved by Andy Warhol's painted M1. (Click here to learn more about Art Cars: https://roarington.com/media-house/stories/when-art-replaces-sponsors-bmws-pioneering-project).

Among BMW’s Art Cars, the best result was sixth overall in 1979 with the M1 painted by Andy Warhol.

To aim for an overall victory, BMW decided to supply engines for the McLaren F1 GTR, which won outright in 1995 in a dramatic, rain-soaked race. Inspired by this, BMW Motorsport fielded two F1 GTRs in 1997, achieving third overall.

The success of the McLaren F1 GTR powered by BMW in 1995 spurred the Bavarian brand to develop its own car for outright victory.

BMW partnered with Williams Racing to develop the V12 LM prototype in 1998, powered by the same engine as the McLaren F1. After a double retirement, BMW returned in 1999 with the V12 LMR, winning the Sebring 12 Hours before claiming its only overall Le Mans victory against stiff competition from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Nissan.

BMW developed the V12 LMR in collaboration with Williams Racing, winning the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours outright.

The 2000s saw BMW at Le Mans only in the GT category, with the M3 E92 securing a class podium in 2010 and 2011. The M8 GTE in 2018 and 2019 struggled. The new Hypercar regulations introduced by FIA and ACO in 2023 marked BMW’s return to the top category. The M Hybrid V8 debuted at Le Mans 2024 but both cars retired, mirroring 1998’s disappointment. Will history repeat with a triumph next year? Stay tuned until June.

BMW returned to Le Mans in 2024 in the Hypercar category with the M Hybrid V8, aiming for a second overall victory.