Munich. A familiar face is returning to the BMW M Motorsport family: Belgian Maxime Martin will line up as a BMW M works driver again from the 2023 season. The 36-year-old racing driver impressed in the BMW M Sports Trophy customer racing programme, before enjoying success as a BMW M works driver in various different series from 2013 to 2017. He is now set to make his comeback in BMW M Motorsport colours. Details of his race programme will be announced at a later date.
“Welcome back, Maxime Martin,” said Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. “Maxime is one of the most versatile drivers in international motor racing. He is fast, talented, works hard, and comes with an incredible wealth of experience of both sprint and endurance racing. His many successes speak for themselves. Maxime is also a great guy, and it is excellent to have him back in our BMW M Motorsport family. We are looking forward to continuing our joint success story in the coming season.”
Martin’s biggest triumph as a BMW M works driver was undoubtedly the victory in his home race, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) in 2016. Back then, he was victorious alongside Philipp Eng (AUT) and Alexander Sims (GBR) in a ROWE Racing BMW M6 GT3. He finished runner-up at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER) in both 2013 and 2015. In his first season as a works driver, 2013, Martin also lined up successfully as a regular driver for BMW M Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). From 2014 to 2017, Martin started in the DTM, winning three races and claiming a total of ten podiums. He also made many other appearances in various international GT series, adding more victories and podiums to his impressive record. In 2018, the Belgian switched to Aston Martin and won the LMGTE-Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) with the British manufacturer in 2020.
“I am definitely really excited about the new challenge and to come back to BMW after five years,” said Martin. “It will be great to see a lot of people I know again, a lot of people I have worked with. To be able to be there and work there again is amazing. I am looking forward to the future and the coming projects.”