SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 11, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 10, 2025 - SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 10, 2025 - The next generation of racing talent is ready to take the wheel. BMW M Motorsport has proudly concluded the inaugural year of its M Racing Academy, a comprehensive training program dedicated to shaping rising stars from customer racing into complete professional drivers. The "Class of 2025" - Berkay Besler, Nerea Martí, Matt Million, and Niels Tröger - spent the past year immersed in a hands-on journey of performance, mentorship, and personal growth under the guidance of BMW's elite works drivers.
Inside BMW's intensive racing bootcamp
Unlike typical driver programs that focus solely on speed, BMW M's Academy embraces a holistic approach - blending technical expertise, mental conditioning, and brand ambassadorship. From physical training with Formula Medicine in Italy to marketing workshops at BMW's Munich headquarters, participants were trained to represent both the brand and themselves with confidence and authenticity.
BMW M works drivers Jens Klingmann, Max Hesse, and Robby Foley, supported by Dirk Adorf, personally mentored the quartet. "It was great that, in the second half of the year, we were able to dive deep into the DNA of BMW - the values, the core business, the history, and the future," says Klingmann. "Seeing their progress over the year was very rewarding. The 24-hour simulation was also crucial for teaching how to approach such an event, manage rest periods, and recover both mentally and physically."
A year of real-world racing experience
The program went far beyond the classroom. The four drivers logged valuable test kilometers on iconic racetracks such as Miramas in France and Varano in Italy, working side by side with development engineers on the new BMW M2 Racing. They also joined international events like the FIA WEC weekend in Imola and IMSA's Laguna Seca round, gaining firsthand exposure to the pressures and precision of global motorsport.
BMW M Motorsport's Head of Customer Racing, Björn Lellmann, praised the initiative's impact: "Supporting talent from the customer racing sector is something both BMW M Motorsport and I personally care deeply about. It was fascinating to watch how our 'Class of 2025' evolved both on and off the track. My thanks go to our works drivers for their intense and constructive mentoring, which makes this program so special."
Mentorship that goes beyond the finish line
The close mentorship model became the program's defining feature. "Having such close contact with all members of this big organization was incredibly valuable," said Berkay Besler, reflecting on the year. He credited his mentors for helping refine everything from race analysis to nutrition and focus techniques.
Nerea Martí described the Academy as "complete preparation both on and off the track," emphasizing how it helped her balance mental and physical strength while improving her communication and media skills. For Matt Million, the experience was transformative: "The mentors gave me a clear understanding of how to act as a BMW M driver and brand ambassador, both on and off the track." Meanwhile, Niels Tröger highlighted his growth in technical feedback and endurance readiness: "All these important experiences have helped me develop further as a driver. The BMW M Racing Academy has made me a more complete racer."
Editorial extra: What makes BMW M's Racing Academy unique
- 360° Development: Combines performance coaching, endurance simulation, fitness, and media training.
- Mentor Access: One-on-one guidance from professional BMW M works drivers.
- Factory Integration: Exposure to BMW M's development and motorsport testing programs.
- Global Perspective: Participants join races and workshops across Europe and North America.
- Real-World Impact: Graduates emerge as complete drivers ready for professional GT and endurance racing.
Looking ahead to the "Class of 2026"
With the first year now in the books, BMW M Motorsport is already preparing for its next wave of young talents. The selection process for the "Class of 2026" is underway - and expectations are high. After the program's successful debut, BMW aims to expand its commitment to nurturing future champions through innovation, teamwork, and passion.
For BMW M fans and aspiring racers, one thing is certain: the future of motorsport is in very capable hands.
Learn more at www.bmw-m.com/motorsport.