Glock, Spengler join Zanardi for Spa 24 Hours

Alex Zanardi will be partnered by ex-Formula 1 driver Timo Glock and 2012 DTM champion Bruno Spengler when he contests this year's Spa 24 Hours for BMW.

The Blancpain Endurance Series' premier event will mark the first time that Zanardi has shared a car with teammates since he lost both legs in a crash of his CART Indy car at the Lausitzring in 2001. He had special dispensation to drive solo when he made his sports car racing return in the Blancpain Sprint Series last year.

"One thing really touched me: when we started planning for the 24-hour race, everyone was hooked immediately," said Zanardi. "That makes me very proud, since they are all real racers who want to be successful. That showed me that they all believe in me and trust me to be competitive enough.

"They not only see it as an adventure to drive with me at this endurance race, but also believe they have a good chance of getting a good result for BMW."

BMW has also announced that Roberto Ravaglia's ROAL team will again run Zanardi's program, as it did in the European and World Touring Car Championships and last year's BSS. All three drivers will be making their Spa 24 Hours debut, with Glock also making his first appearance for BMW's GT program.

"Alex had already told me in the winter that he really wanted to do a 24-hour race at some point," said Glock, who has raced for BMW in the DTM since leaving F1 two years ago. "Back then, I told him I would definitely be on board if he and BMW were to embark such a fantastic venture. And now that opportunity has actually presented itself."

The trio will also drive together in the 1000km BES round at Paul Ricard on June 20, in preparation for Spa.

BMW has yet to reveal details of the modifications that will be made to the Z4 GT3 to assist with driver changes, but the firm's motorsport boss Jens Marquardt said adapting the car was a challenge that his team was enjoying.

"Our BMW Motorsport engineers are also fascinated by this unusual project," he said. "They are really enthusiastic about working with the drivers to find the optimal technical solutions."

Originally on Autosport.com