Magnussen joins BMW under LMDh programme for 2025

12/05/2024 03:30 AM

Kevin Magnussen will join BMW M Motorsport’s LMDh programme in 2025 in a move post F1, as Adrien Fourmaux joins Hyundai in WRC.

BMW –

BMW M Motorsport's LMDh programme is getting a new addition from Formula 1 for the 2025 season. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) will become a BMW M works driver and will compete in races with the BMW M Hybrid V8 starting next year. The 32-year-old Dane has participated in a total of 185 Formula 1 races between 2014 and 2024. Further details about his future racing schedule will be announced at a later date.

In 2013, Magnussen won the Formula Renault 3.5 title. The year after, he debuted in Formula 1 and immediately secured a podium finish with a second-place result in his first season. His best championship ranking came in 2018, when he finished ninth in the drivers' standings. He has already gained experience with sports car prototypes in 2021, completing a full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series), where he achieved one victory and five podium finishes in the top-class DPi category. That same year, he also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) in an LMP2 car.

BMW M Motorsport fields the BMW M Hybrid V8 in both the IMSA series and the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The full driver line-up for both racing series will be announced at a later date.

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): "Kevin Magnussen is an outstanding addition to our LMDh programme. He has regularly demonstrated his speed at the highest level in Formula 1 over the past decade. Thanks to his extensive experience, he is a true asset to our project. His previous full season with a sports car prototype in 2021 is another advantage for us, as it will surely ease his acclimatisation to the BMW M Hybrid V8. I am very delighted that Kevin Magnussen is part of the BMW M Motorsport family now."

Kevin Magnussen: "I am happy and proud to represent such an iconic motorsport brand as BMW in some of the world’s most legendary races. After ten years in Formula 1, I am embarking on a new and exciting chapter, and I look forward to taking on the challenge in the most innovative and advanced sports cars in the history of endurance racing. A huge thank you to BMW M Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity. I can hardly wait to start the preparations and look forward to kicking off the 2025 season with the rest of the team."

Hyundai –

Hyundai Motorsport has today announced the addition of Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria to its FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) line-up for the 2025 season. The Frenchmen will helm a third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in all 14 rounds, bringing fresh energy and capability to the Alzenau-based team as it prepares for another competitive season at the pinnacle of rallying.

Fourmaux has showcased remarkable resilience and growth throughout his career. After a challenging introduction to Rally1, he made the decision to step back in 2023, focusing on rebuilding his confidence and sharpening his skills in the Rally2 category, where he went on to claim the title of 2023 British Rally Champion. His return to Rally1 in 2024 brought a renewed mindset, delivering strong performances that cemented his place as a rising star in the championship.

The decision to confirm Fourmaux for 2025 reflects Hyundai Motorsport's commitment to building a stronger, more consistent permanent line-up to target the manufacturers' championship. As a full-season driver, Fourmaux brings proven pace and a skillset that will complement the existing crews of Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja. A permanent third crew also ensures critical competitive running time under the revised WRC regulations, allowing the team to build and maintain momentum throughout the season.

Fourmaux will join Hyundai Motorsport immediately after Monza Rally Show (5-8 December), allowing him to begin his preparations with the team for the upcoming 2025 WRC season as early as possible. Hyundai Motorsport continues to assess further possibilities with its current crews for 2025. Esapekka Lappi's victory in Rally Sweden, Dani Sordo's podiums in Sardinia and Greece, and Andreas Mikkelsen regular points finishes all contributed to one of the team's strongest years in WRC.

Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: "Our shared third car approach in 2024 allowed us to deliver one of the team's strongest years in WRC and I would like to sincerely thank Esapekka, Dani and Andreas for their massive contribution to it. For the renewed challenges of next year, consistency and stability across all three cars will be crucial.

“We're therefore delighted to confirm Adrien and Alexandre as part of our team after their incredible 2024 season. Adrien has impressed not only with the results he has achieved this season, but with his renewed mindset and attitude he has brought to his return to Rally1. We believe our line-up of Thierry, Ott and Adrien will be a formidable force on the world's stages in 2025."

Adrien Fourmaux said: "I'm really excited to join Hyundai Motorsport for the 2025 season. It's a big opportunity for me and Alex, and we are looking forward to getting started with the team. As a driver, you're always looking to grow and push yourself, and this feels like the right step at the right time. Hyundai has had a strong presence in WRC for years, and I'm proud to be a part of that for the future. I'm ready to give my best and see where this journey takes us."

[The story is as per press release]

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