All systems go: BMW M2 Cup to kick off new season at Lausitzring

The wait for the fans is finally over and the intensive preparations for the new season are complete. This weekend from 20 to 22 May the BMW M2 Cup is all set to launch its second season. The BMW one-make trophy is once again part of the exclusive DTM race programme.

The long-awaited season opener will grace the same piece of asphalt where it all started one year ago, the Lausitzring. The newest circuit in Germany was the spectacular venue for the first two rounds of the season back in 2021, which offered up plenty of exciting action, particularly at Turn 1 of the tri-oval race track. The only banked turn on the BMW M2 Cup calendar is sure to play host to wheel-to-wheel battles yet again in 2022. The weekend in the Lausitz region also marks the first round of the DTM in Germany as well as the curtain-raisers for both the DTM Trophy and DTM Classic championships.

This exclusive backdrop and the well-balanced race programme are just two of the reasons why spots on the BMW M2 Cup grid are such hot property. But the identities of the young talents who will be behind the wheel of the BMW M2 CS Racing cars is still a well-kept secret. The final shootout at the Red Bull Ring took place just one week before the start of the season. At the test, young drivers were given one last chance to prove their qualities and secure a seat for the new season.

Jörg Michaelis: „Our main focus here is on quality, which takes several different factors into account. For example, we look at whether the talent can be developed and whether there is a desire to work hard to reach targets. We now have a grid packed full of top talent, who will now be embarking on their own motorsport journey.”

The huge amount of interest in the series is a testament to the successful concept. The sole one-make trophy on the DTM programme has already proven its worth as a breeding ground for new talent after only one year of competition: “Our idea was to give young drivers a low-cost platform on a completely even playing field to act as both a finishing school and a springboard for talented drivers,” explains Michaelis. “So it’s all the more pleasing to see the concept pay off in season one.”

Not only does the BMW M2 Cup offer plenty of action on track, it also gives drivers the opportunity to show what they can do right in front of the DTM team bosses, in the hope of making their way up the motorsport ladder. Louis Henkefend, champion in the 2021 season, has already made the step up to the DTM Trophy along with Colin Caresani, Nick Hancke and Rodrigo Almeida. Henkefend and Caresani will even be racing as teammates for Project 1 in the BMW M4 GT4.

The race weekend at the Lausitzring begins on Friday morning with free practice, where the focus will be firmly on finding the optimum set-up for the BMW M2 CS Racing. Qualifying at 16:10 local time will see the drivers fight it out for the best grid positions for both races, which are due to take place from 11:15 to 11:50 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The races will be broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of BMW M in both German and English. If you would like to experience the BMW M2 Cup and the DTM live at the track, tickets are still available at all pre-sale points as well as at DTM.com.

Which drivers will be in which cars? Find out just before the race weekend by checking out the Spotter Guide.