In the heart of Munich, customer racing has long been a pillar of BMW M Motorsport's program. But in the 2025 season, a remarkable transformation takes place as the BMW M Racing Academy emerges as a groundbreaking development program for GT4-category racers. This elite quartet - Spain's Nerea Martí, Turkey's Berkay Besler, Matthew Million from the USA, and Germany's Niels Tröger - has captured the attention of BMW M Motorsport's decision-makers through a rigorous selection process. These four racers are set to embark on a unique development journey in 2025, one that is unparalleled in the world of customer racing.

Bruno Spengler: A Mentor with a Wealth of Experience

BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN) will play a crucial role as a mentor to the participants. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, he will guide these aspiring racers on their path to success. Spengler's presence adds a significant layer of credibility and guidance to the program, ensuring that the "Class of 2025" receives the best possible support.During the selection process in early November, a total of twelve candidates were invited to Munich (GER). This was no ordinary selection; it offered unique challenges that are typically reserved for BMW M works drivers. The candidates underwent a session in the BMW M Motorsport simulator, a tool that is usually reserved for the top drivers in the team. This gave them a glimpse into the world of works racing and a chance to test their skills in a simulated environment.Formula Medicine experts also played a vital role, assessing the physical and mental capabilities of the candidates. This comprehensive approach ensures that the selected racers have the necessary attributes to excel in the highly competitive world of GT4 racing.In addition to the simulator session and physical assessments, the program included a setup session using the automotive gaming simulator on the iRacing platform. This allowed the candidates to fine-tune their driving skills and strategies in a virtual environment, preparing them for the real track. An interview with BMW M Motorsport's communication experts also provided valuable insights into the world of professional racing and the importance of effective communication.The selection process results were decisive, determining the four members of the "Class of 2025": Nerea Martí, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million, and Niels Tröger. A key requirement for participating in the BMW M Racing Academy is competing in the BMW M4 GT4, highlighting the program's focus on customer racing.Nerea Martí, 22 years old, is currently competing for BMW Spain in the Iberian Supercars Series. In 2023, she achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Spanish GT Championship with the BMW M4 GT4. Her success in single-seater racing, through performances in the W Series and the F1 Academy, has already made her a name to reckon with in the racing world.Berkay Besler, 25 years old, has been racing for Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport in the GT4 European Series with the BMW M4 GT4 since 2021. His 2023 season was his best yet, finishing third in the Silver class. In 2022, he became the champion of the Prototype Cup Germany, demonstrating his exceptional driving skills and ability to perform under pressure.Matthew Million, 24 years old, completed his debut season in 2024 with AutoTechnic Racing in GT4 America, driving the BMW M4 GT4. Before this, he achieved success with the BMW M3 E36 in various US amateur series. Since 2023, he has also taken on the role of a driver coach, sharing his knowledge and experience with others.Niels Tröger, 22 years old, made headlines in 2023 by winning the Karting World Championship, becoming the first German to do so since DTM record champion Bernd Schneider (GER) 43 years ago. In the most recent season, he made the transition to the GT4 category, competing with FK Performance Motorsport in the BMW M4 GT4 in ADAC GT4 Germany. His success in karting has laid a solid foundation for his career in GT4 racing.Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport, expressed his pride in the BMW M Racing Academy. "I am incredibly proud that with this academy, we are offering our customer racers a unique and exclusive development program that money cannot buy. Our customers have always been of exceptional importance to us, and with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are further strengthening our commitment. Congratulations to our four selected members - Nerea Martí, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million, and Niels Tröger. They will experience a program next year that provides insights previously reserved for works racing. The selection process in Munich was an excellent preview of what is to come. I was impressed by the high level of all the candidates, which made the final decision a difficult one. However, I am delighted by the strong pool of talent we had to choose from."These four racers are now poised to take on the challenges of the 2025 season and make their mark in the world of GT4 racing. With the support of the BMW M Racing Academy and the guidance of experienced mentors like Bruno Spengler, they have the potential to achieve great things. As they embark on this journey, they will be representing not only themselves but also the spirit of customer racing and the excellence that BMW M Motorsport is known for.