Ex-DTM drivers Martin Tomczyk and Antonio Felix da Costa, as well as GT racing ace Alexander Sims will head up development of BMW’s new GTE car, which will debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2018.

BMW confirmed the three drivers for the testing and development duties, which will be run by the MTEK operation, at last weekend’s end-of-season event in Munich.

“The countdown to 2018 has started,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

“We will prepare meticulously for our entry into the FIA WEC throughout the coming season. BMW Team MTEK is ready to start and is extremely motivated.”

The Ernest Knoors-led MTEK squad, which was formed in 2013 specifically for BMW’s DTM effort, will operate the WEC GTE-Pro effort in 2018.

Both Tomczyk and Sims, meanwhile, will undertake parallel race programs in the WeatherTech Championship in Team RLL-entered BMW M6 GTLM cars, with da Costa in Formula E with the BMW-backed MS Amlin Andretti squad.

The German manufacturer has yet to officially confirm the car model for its new GTE contender, which will be used in both the WEC and WeatherTech Championship, although it’s widely believed to be based on the new BMW M8.

No word has been given on when the car will begin on-track testing.