With tests in Spain and Portugal, BMW heralded the critical phase of preparations ahead of the first race outing of the new BMW M4 GT3, which will line up in the ADAC GT Masters for the first time in 2022.
With the number of test kilometres completed already well over 12,000 – that is more than 60 hours of track time – various BMW works drivers have worked meticulously on the car’s handling and reliability. The goal: a significant reduction in lifecycle costs and maintenance effort compared to its predecessor. Last week’s tests in Almeria, Spain, with successful long runs and race simulations, marked another milestone in the development of BMW’s third GT3 model. Among those alternating at the wheel were ADAC GT Masters drivers Jens Klingmann, Nick Yelloly and Jesse Krohn. As well as long runs, the test in Almeria also focussed on tests with different tyre makes.
The new car features significant improvements in vital areas compared to its predecessor, the BMW M6 GT3. These include reduced lifecycle and maintenance costs, as well as improved handling for professional and amateur racing drivers, in both dry conditions and rain. Top priority is for the BMW M4 GT3 to be easy to handle – not only for the drivers, but also for the team at the circuit. BMW M Motorsport engineers have found a new way to achieve this: for the first time, it is possible to configure most of the settings on the car without having to connect a laptop. Rapid adjustments to control units and sensors can be made significantly faster and easier using the multi-functional steering wheel.
“The mood among us drivers has been very good during the recent tests, as we were able to complete a lot of laps and all agree that the BMW M4 GT3 is great fun to drive,” said Klingmann, who took two victories with the M6 GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters at the Red Bull Ring in 2019 and 2020. “It is very simple and consistent to drive, which obviously also has a positive effect on tyre wear. We have also made progress with the development of many systems. There are obviously still things that need sorting out, but there are fewer and fewer questions marks, and more exclamation marks.”
Fellow works driver Nick Yelloly, winner of the Saturday race in Austria last year: “As someone who has driven an awful lot of races in the BMW M6 GT3 in recent years, I immediately noticed what a big step forward the BMW M4 GT3 will be. We carried out tests on performance and consistency, as well as pit stop training and system checks.”
Source: BMW