The Support Programme by BMW M Motorsport.

BMW M RACING ACADEMY.

Since 2025, BMW M Motorsport has been offering a tailored support programme for customer racing: the BMW M Racing Academy. The focus is on the academy concept. A group of BMW M works drivers provides intensive mentoring to selected young talents over the course of a year, offering exclusive and valuable insights into how factory racing operates.

WHAT IS THE BMW M RACING ACADEMY?

Participants in the BMW M Racing Academy during the mental training sessions

Participants in the BMW M Racing Academy during the physical training sessions

Participants in the BMW M Racing Academy during the mental training sessions.

Preparing for fast corners: strength and endurance are also part of the programme.

First in the simulator, then on the racetrack: the BMW M Racing Academy’s coaching takes place both off-track and on-track.

Jens Klingmann (left) and Robby Foley (right): active BMW M works drivers make up the team of mentors at the BMW M Racing Academy.

WHAT IS THE BMW M RACING ACADEMY?

Customer racing has been a cornerstone of the BMW M Motorsport programme for more than 50 years. Teams and drivers who compete worldwide in BMW M Motorsport race cars are the perfect ambassadors for the brand. Every year, this commitment is recognised by the BMW M Sports Trophy.

The BMW M Racing Academy takes it one step further. BMW M supports customer racing drivers at a level they would not normally have access to. Professional mentoring and coaching provide experiences that are extremely valuable for the development of aspiring drivers both on and off track.

WHAT DOES THE BMW M RACING ACADEMY OFFER?

Comprehensive support both on and off the racetrack
Mentoring from BMW M works drivers, including set-up coaching, data analysis and reporting
Fitness and mental coaching with Formula Medicine
Training sessions in the BMW M Motorsport simulator
Automotive gaming coaching by members of the BMW M works teams on the simulator
PR and social media workshop
Media coverage on the BMW M Motorsport channels

THE TEAM.

MARIUS MAY | Project Leader.

Occupation: Sales and Product Manager, BMW M4 GT4 / Project Leader, BMW M Racing Academy

With BMW M since: 2023

“In my role as the sales and product manager for the BMW M4 GT4, I know how important the connection between our customer racing teams, their drivers and us as the manufacturer is. The BMW M Racing Academy brings that connection to a completely new level as it is the first time customer teams get the chance to bring their drivers into a works-supported development programme, which on the one hand rises the quality of their drivers’ lineup, but on the other hand also provides very strong arguments when it comes to the decision, which brand is the right one for young, talented drivers.”

Contact Marius May

JENS KLINGMANN | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2014

Major achievements: Italian GT Sprint Cup Champion 2024 & 2023, GTWC Europe race winner 2024, winner of the 24 Hours of Dubai 2023, 3rd place in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2020, 2nd place in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps 2018, Formula BMW Germany Champion 2007

“Working with the BMW M Racing Academy is truly a passion project. Racing and working in a factory team environment isn’t only about setting fast lap times; it requires a whole variety of different skills. After spending more than fourteen years as part of the BMW M works driver family, it’s my great pleasure to share my knowledge, both on and off the track, to help future generations of professional racing drivers grow and develop in every possible aspect, ultimately enabling them to build successful professional careers. We are incredibly privileged to dedicate our lives to motorsport, and therefore, we owe it to the sport to help develop and support the next generation of champions.”

ROBBY FOLEY | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2021

Major achievements: GTWC America Pro-Am Champion 2024, 2nd place in the IMSA GTD class 2024, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Champion 2023, 3rd place in GTWC America 2021, GT4 America SprintX Pro-Am Champion 2020, 2nd place in the IMSA GTD class 2019

“Having started my own BMW journey in customer racing, the BMW M Racing Academy is a programme close to my heart. I can genuinely relate to what these drivers are going through, the pressure, the passion, and the hunger to prove themselves. That connection is what makes mentoring in the BMW M Racing Academy so rewarding. We can share our own experiences with the brightest young talents racing for BMW M Motorsport customer teams and help mould them into the drivers they want to be.”

MAX HESSE | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2020

Major achievements: winner of the 2025 Dubai 24 Hours, 3rd place and pole position at the 2024 Nürburgring 24 Hours, winner of the 2023 Le Mans GT Cup, 3rd place at the 2023 Dubai 24 Hours, 2022 Nürburgring 24 Hours qualifying win, GT4 class win at the 2020 Nürburgring 24 Hours, two overall victories in the Nürburgring Endurance Series

“When the possibility came around to be one of the mentors next to Jens and Robby for the BMW M Racing Academy, it was clear for me that I wanted to be part of this project. My career only started with the BMW Junior Team Programme and therefore I am super happy to share my experience/ knowledge from that young drivers’ programme. Maybe I don’t have the same experience as for example Jens has in various situations. But I feel like sometimes I still could be one of them due to my age. With this project, we are globally strong thanks to the support of Garching, Robby’s past experiences within costumer racing, and Jens’ knowledge and commitment to the BMW Family. And hopefully I can add some small details for the candidates too.”

JENS KLINGMANN | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2014

MAX HESSE | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2020

MARIUS MAY | Project Leader.

Occupation: Sales and Product Manager, BMW M4 GT4 / Project Leader, BMW M Racing Academy

With BMW M since: 2023

Contact Marius May

ROBBY FOLEY | Mentor.

Occupation: BMW M works driver

With BMW M since: 2021

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE BMW M RACING ACADEMY WORK?

The programme is aimed at young talents with experience in the BMW M4 GT4 or the BMW M2 Racing. An online application is followed by a selection process in Munich, during which candidates are assessed by mentors and representatives from BMW M Motorsport. The best applicants will then be accepted into the programme.

Request more information by email

I am incredibly proud that with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are offering our customer racers a unique and exclusive development programme that money cannot buy. Our customers have always played an exceptionally important role for us, and with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are further strengthening our commitment.

Björn Lellmann,

Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport

BMW M RACING ACADEMY – THE "CLASS OF 2026".

The BMW M Motorsport customer racing support programme is now in its second season. During the programme, the “Class of 2026” will complete a challenging regimen that includes mental coaching, fitness training, and sessions on the BMW M Motorsport racing simulator.

Experience more

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the BMW M Racing Academy.

The BMW M Racing Academy programme offers comprehensive support for young racing drivers both on and off track. Among other things, participants are mentored by BMW M works drivers, who coach them on car set-up, data analysis and reporting. The programme also includes fitness and mental coaching with Formula Medicine. Training sessions in the BMW M Motorsport simulator, as well as automotive gaming coaching by members of the BMW M works teams on the simulator, help the drivers to further develop their skills. The programme is rounded off by a PR and social media workshop, as well as media coverage on the BMW M Motorsport channels.