Markus Reiterberger: Why Suzuka is a major World Championship opportunity for BMW

With its victory at the Spa 8 Hours, the BMW works team has made a strong statement just in time for the season’s highlight at Suzuka. In the overall standings of the World Endurance Championship, the team sits in third place with 68 points after two of four races. Defending champions YART head to Japan with 91 points, whilst SERT sit just one point ahead of BMW on 69 points. Behind them is Kawasaki Webike Trickstar on 64 points.

For BMW works rider Markus Reiterberger, Suzuka of all places could prove to be a decisive turning point in the title race. The German sees the historic 8-hour race as presenting a unique scenario from which his team could benefit.

Why Suzuka is a big opportunity for BMW

The reason lies in the exceptional starting line-up. Whilst Honda and Yamaha are fielding top-class works teams exclusively for Suzuka alongside their permanent EWC entries, BMW is focusing entirely on its regular endurance team. This creates an interesting starting point in the battle for the World Championship.

“We are a European team and the works team,” Reiterberger explained to SPEEDWEEK.com. “We’re going into this at 100 per cent and can aim for a podium finish or victory.”

Unlike Honda and Yamaha, BMW’s attention is not divided across multiple projects. The Japanese manufacturers traditionally have different priorities on their home circuit. For Honda, the focus is on a fifth consecutive Suzuka victory, whilst Yamaha is looking to reclaim the prestigious endurance classic with its star-studded works team. To this end, both manufacturers are fielding teams that play no part in the title fight but can challenge the permanently registered teams for top positions and points in the race.

This is precisely where Reiterberger sees an opportunity for BMW. “The Japanese manufacturers have different priorities; some have proper works teams at Suzuka. Perhaps that’s an opportunity for us,” said the Bavarian. Should Honda or Yamaha finish ahead of the permanently registered World Championship teams, they could take valuable points away from their direct title rivals. For BMW, that would be an ideal starting point to make up ground on YART and SERT.

BMW on a par with the Japanese works teams at the start of testing

The first official test day already underlined that the Munich-based team are travelling to Japan with justified hopes. The BMW works team, number 37, set the fastest time in both the third and fourth sessions. In the final fifth session, Werner Daemen’s team finished behind the Yamaha works team, securing second place. Throughout the day, BMW consistently held its own against the favoured Japanese works teams.

Reiterberger is therefore optimistic ahead of the third race of the season. “Our form is on the up. I see it more as an opportunity,” emphasised the BMW works rider. Should BMW convert the strong pace shown at Spa and during the Suzuka tests into a top result, the race could have a lasting impact not only on the battle for the prestigious overall victory but also on the title race in the World Endurance Championship.