Million Selected for BMW M Racing Academy 2025
California, U.S.A. | November 22nd, 2024
From BMW Group
In early November, a total of twelve candidates were invited to Munich (GER) to participate in the selection process for the BMW M Racing Academy. The programme offered unique challenges not typically accessible to customer racers. Candidates underwent a session in the BMW M Motorsport simulator, which is normally reserved for BMW M works drivers. Formula Medicine experts tested their physical and mental capabilities. The programme also included a setup session using the automotive gaming simulator on the iRacing platform and an interview with BMW M Motorsport’s communication experts.
The selection process results determined the four members of the “Class of 2025”: Nerea Martí, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million, and Niels Tröger. A prerequisite for participating in the BMW M Racing Academy is competing in the BMW M4 GT4, underscoring the programme’s focus on customer racing.
24-year-old Million completed his debut season in 2024 with AutoTechnic Racing in GT4 America, driving the BMW M4 GT4. Prior to this, he enjoyed success with the BMW M3 E36 in various US amateur series. Since 2023, he has also been active as a driver coach.
Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport: “I am incredibly proud that with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are offering our customer racers a unique and exclusive development programme that money cannot buy. Our customers have always played an exceptionally important role for us, and with the BMW M Racing Academy, we are further strengthening our commitment. Congratulations to our four selected members of the ‘Class of 2025’ – Nerea Martí, Berkay Besler, Matthew Million, and Niels Tröger. They will experience a programme 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.”
