Founded in 2012 by Dutchman Ernest Knoors, a former F1 regular, the MTEK team has competed in the DTM since 2013, year of the Bavarian marque's return to the championship, but in 2017 will take a break in order to start preparations for BMW's arrival in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The three manufacturers officially present via private outfits in the DTM - Audi, BMW and Mercedes - reached an agreement to limit their entries to six cars instead of the current eight, which forced BMW to reconsider its partnerships and make some decisions. Choosing MTEK made sense given the team's mechanics (based in Garching, Bavaria) won the trophy for best refuelling stop this year, a strategic manoeuver in the DTM.

Ernest Knoors: “We competed in the DTM for the first time in 2013 with our new BMW Team MTEK – and we have learned a lot since then. This series has taught us a lot about professionalism and quality in all areas. Of course we are really looking forward to the new challenge that awaits us in the FIA WEC. The standard is extremely high there as well. 2017 will be a year of intensive preparation and then we will be able to compete with the other teams in the following year.”

BMW, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, boasts a nearly 90-year history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after its first appearance in 1937, even though the real saga began in the early 1970s and ended with the overall win in 1999.

Quotation from BMW press release.

Photo (Copyright - Laurent Cartalade, ACO/Nikon): BMW's last appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans dates back to 2011.