Munich. BMW M Motorsport relies on consistency for the line-ups of its two Hypercar programmes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA Series) in 2026. The same eight BMW M works drivers will take the wheel of the four BMW M Hybrid V8s as in 2025. However, there will be a change in the regular driver pairings in the IMSA Series.
The eight drivers for BMW M Motorsport’s works programmes in the FIA WEC and IMSA Series in 2026 are once again: Philipp Eng (AUT), Robin Frijns (NED), Kevin Magnussen (DEN), Raffaele Marciello (SUI), René Rast (GER), Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), and Marco Wittmann (GER). As in the previous year, Vanthoor and van der Linde will undertake double duty as regular drivers in both race series. Eng and Wittmann will return for another full season in North America, where BMW M Team WRT will take over operations from BMW M Team RLL. Starting in 2026, the Belgian team will compete with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in both the FIA WEC and IMSA Series.
In FIA WEC, the driver line-ups for both cars remain unchanged. The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 will be shared by Magnussen, Marciello, and Vanthoor. In the #20 car, Frijns, Rast, and van der Linde will alternate. In the IMSA Series, there will be a swap in driver pairings. Regular drivers in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 will be Vanthoor and van der Linde. They will be supported in endurance races by Frijns and Rast. In the #25 car, Eng and Wittmann will contest the full season together. They will be joined by Magnussen and Marciello for endurance races.
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “Consistency was our priority when selecting the Hypercar drivers for the 2026 season. We are very satisfied with the performance of all eight drivers, and there is no reason to make major changes. With every race, our drivers gain more experience with the BMW M Hybrid V8, which is crucial for the continued progress of our programme. In 2026, we will race with an updated car and a new team in the IMSA Series. That’s enough change, so it was important for us to maintain continuity on the driver side. The key is that everyone works well as a team, pulls together, and advances our LMDh project. That’s exactly what’s happening. I’m very much looking forward to continuing this collaboration.”
Hypercar line-ups for 2026 at a glance:
FIA WEC, #15 BMW M Hybrid V8:Kevin Magnussen (DEN)Raffaele Marciello (SUI)Dries Vanthoor (BEL)
FIA WEC, #20 BMW M Hybrid V8:Robin Frijns (NED)René Rast (GER)Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)
IMSA Series, #24 BMW M Hybrid V8:Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)Dries Vanthoor (BEL)Robin Frijns (NED), EnduranceRené Rast (GER), 24h Daytona
IMSA Series, #25 BMW M Hybrid V8:Philipp Eng (AUT)Marco Wittmann (GER)Kevin Magnussen (DEN), EnduranceRaffaele Marciello (SUI), 24h Daytona