BMW M is not looking to spend its motorsport budget on Formula 1, with CEO Frank van Meel saying the company sees greater value in racing series where technology can transfer more directly from the track to production cars.

BMW M Sees WEC and IMSA as Better Fits

BMW has extensive motorsport experience, but Formula 1 is not where van Meel believes the company should direct its racing resources. Speaking to Motor1 Deutschland about BMW’s motorsport strategy, he emphasized the technology connection between its race cars and production models.

For BMW M, that makes the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA much better fits. The focus is not simply on racing success but on using competition to develop technologies that can eventually benefit road-going M models.

BMW M Enters a Major Technology Transition

The approach comes as BMW M moves through a major transition. The division is developing its first high-performance EVs while continuing to evolve its gas-fueled models, increasing the importance of motorsport as a testing environment for technologies that could eventually reach production.

The powertrain provides a clear example of that connection. BMW currently competes with a V8-powered hybrid system in the M Hybrid V8, while the M5 and XM also use V8 hybrid powertrains.

According to van Meel, however, the relationship goes beyond simply using similar hardware in racing and production vehicles.

Why BMW M Prefers Endurance Racing

BMW can use the demanding conditions of endurance racing to accelerate development and evaluate components and engineering solutions before applying certain technologies to its road cars.

Van Meel described the advantage of the approach by explaining that racing allows BMW to test certain aspects more quickly and in a way that remains closer to production.

“Through these racing series, we can test certain aspects more quickly and in a way that’s closer to production. Formula 1 is too far removed for us—too much of a laboratory and not transferable enough to production cars. In Formula 1, that would be a completely separate technology center, detached from the rest.”

F1 Is Not Completely Off BMW’s Radar

BMW’s current strategy does not mean the company will never return to Formula 1. As van Meel said in an interview last year, the series is not being ignored.

For now, however, BMW’s position is clear. WEC and IMSA offer a more direct route for transferring racing technology to M cars, while Formula 1 is viewed as too far removed from the technology used in production vehicles.

Formula 1 Exposure Comes With a Higher Cost

The global exposure associated with Formula 1 remains a major consideration. F1 is the biggest stage in motorsport, and BMW’s presence on the grid would bring greater visibility for the brand around the world.

While rivals including Mercedes and Audi are benefiting from that spotlight, BMW is currently choosing not to enter the competition. Instead, BMW M would rather direct the substantial resources required for racing toward series such as WEC and IMSA, where the connection between the track and the road is clearer.

Budget Constraints Also Affect BMW M Supercar Plans

The budget concerns raised by van Meel also help explain why a mid-engine supercar is not currently on BMW M’s agenda.

Even so, the possibility of a modern-day M1 remains a hope. Van Meel recently said he would love to see a new model continue where the E26 left off.