Επιστροφή στο Forum : DTM 2015
THE 2015 DTM RACES AT A GLANCE
Date Race track Length
1st – 3rd May Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg 4,574 km
29th – 31th May Lausitzring 3,478 km
26th – 28th June Norisring 2,300 km
10th – 12th July Circuit Park Zandvoort 4,307 km
31th July – 2nd August Spielberg 4,326 km
28th – 30th August Moscow Raceway 3,931 km
11th – 13th September Motorsport Arena Oschersleben 3,696 km
25th – 27th September Nürburgring 3,629 km
16th – 18th October Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg 4,574 km
Tom Blomqvist races in the BMW M4 DTM in 2015.
The BMW Motorsport driver line-up for the coming DTM season is complete: Tom Blomqvist will race in the popular touring car series at the wheel of the eighth BMW M4 DTM in 2015.
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Reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann, Maxime Martin, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Martin Tomczyk, Timo Glock and António Félix da Costa had previously been confirmed as drivers at the traditional BMW Motorsport Season Review on 5th December.
Blomqvist was on track in the BMW M4 DTM for the first time at a test in Jerez de la Frontera at the start of December, where he and other debutants gained their first experience in a DTM racing car. The 21-year-old made an excellent impression, making a great case for the one vacant cockpit for the 2015 season.
“We are delighted to welcome another very promising youngster into our ranks, in the form of Tom Blomqvist,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Tom was extremely impressive at the test in Jerez, and comes to us with a wealth of experience from Formula 3. I am confident he has everything he needs to find his feet quickly in the DTM. With his likeable personality he is definitely a great asset to our line-up. We have done well with our choice of rookies so far. We will support Tom to the best of our ability to be successful from the word go in 2015.”
“I cannot put into words just how delighted I am to have been signed up by BMW Motorsport,” said Blomqvist. “After the test in Spain, I was able to envisage just how it would feel to be a BMW works driver and regularly push myself to the limit in the BMW M4 DTM. Now I have the opportunity to do just that – and it’s just fantastic. I’m really proud to be a member of the BMW Motorsport family now. As well as the exciting sporting prospects, I was also immediately impressed by the great team spirit and the way I was made to feel so welcome at the test.”
As the son of Swedish rally legend Stig Blomqvist, who won the World Championship in 1984, Tom literally has motorsport in his genes. However, the youngster was not drawn to the rallying scene after initially gaining experience and enjoying success on the karting circuit, but to single-seater racing. He impressed in Formula Renault in 2009, before winning the title in the British Formula Renault championship one year later – at just 16, he became the youngest driver in the history of the series to win the title.
Outings in the German Formula 3 Cup and German Formula 3 Championship ultimately led Blomqvist to the Formula 3 Euro Series, In 2010 he made a guest start in the Formula BMW Pacific junior racing series in Macau, and promptly finished third at the wheel of the Formula BMW FB02.
Despite still being in the early stages of his career, Blomqvist has already come to learn the dark side of motorsport, suffering a broken lumbar vertebra in a race at the Lausitzring in 2011, which brought his season to a premature end. However, he returned stronger than ever from this injury, and set about working his way to the top of Formula 3. In the 2014 season he scored 420 points, winning six races and stepping on the podium 15 times. At the end of the season he finished runner-up overall.
A strong squad for the 2015 DTM season.
With less than three months remaining until the start of the DTM season in Hockenheim, BMW Motorsport and the four teams have now completed their driver line-ups. Having announced the signing of Tom Blomqvist as the eighth driver at the start of the week, the drivers have now been assigned to the individual teams.
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In keeping with the motto “never change a winning team”, last year’s championship winning team will field the same pair of drivers on the nine race weekends that make up the 2015 season: reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann and Maxime Martin, who was “Rookie of the Year” in 2014, will once again compete for BMW Team RMG and team principal Stefan Reinhold.
Changes have been made behind the wheel in the remaining three teams. 2011 champion Martin Tomczyk will race for BMW Team Schnitzer in his 15th season in the DTM. His new team-mate at the successful outfit from Freilassing is António Félix da Costa, who made his debut in the DTM last year.
This year’s DTM rookie Blomqvist will contest his first season with BMW Team RBM. He will race alongside an experienced BMW works driver in Augusto Farfus, who has won four DTM races since 2012. After three years with BMW Team Schnitzer, 2012 DTM champion Bruno Spengler will now fly the flag for BMW Team MTEK. He joins new team-mate Timo Glock, who enters his third year with BMW Team MTEK.
“We go into the new season with a very strong driver/team line-up,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “This is the best line-up we could wish for. In total, our eight drivers have racked up 334 races and 31 victories in the DTM. We have a good mix of young and experienced drivers, who are all capable of making their mark on the series. At the end of every season we analyse whether and how we can make any minor changes to tease a little more out of the overall set-up. We remain true to our philosophy that we can only enjoy long-term success in the DTM with four teams of equal strength. We have had positive experiences with this approach in the past. We are confident that we have found the ideal line-up for the 2015 season, in which we will face a number of new challenges with the new format of the race weekends.”
BMW Team RMG team principal Reinhold is looking forward to another year with the successful pairing of Wittmann and Martin. “The expression ‘never change a winning team’ definitely applies in motorsport,” he said. “For this reason, I and all the mechanics and engineers in the team are very pleased to be lining up for the 2015 DTM season with the same drivers, with whom we enjoyed such great success last year. The atmosphere in the team is fantastic. The wins and titles have bonded us together and we have become a real unit. As such, we are all the more delighted to be able to continue with the same line-up. We learned a lot as a team in 2014 and won five races with Marco and Maxime. We worked hard to improve during the break from the DTM. We now want to put the improvements into practice on the track in the new season. Our work has been focussed on our main goal, which is to be successful again in 2015 – something we are well aware will be far from easy in the extremely competitive DTM.”
“We have a fascinating and very promising mix of drivers for 2015, with Martin’s experience and António’s youthful exuberance,” said team principal Charly Lamm, commenting on the new line-up at BMW Team Schnitzer. “We enjoyed great success with Bruno Spengler, especially winning the title on our DTM comeback in 2012. We will now be going all out to challenge at the front of the 2015 DTM field with the new driver line-up.”
Team principal Bart Mampaey of BMW Team RBM is also looking forward to the first race of the year: “Augusto Farfus has gained a lot of experience in the DTM over the past three years, and has shown that he is capable of winning races and putting himself in contention for the title. In Tom Blomqvist, we welcome on board a fast young driver, who has everything he needs to find his feet quickly in the DTM. I am very much looking forward to working with these two drivers in 2015.”
Ernest Knoors is confident that BMW Team MTEK will take another step forward in its third year in the DTM. “In Bruno and Timo we have two very good drivers in our ranks,” said the team principal. “As 2012 champion, and with his vast wealth of experience, Bruno is an institution in this series. And he also sets the bar extremely high when it comes to speed. Timo also knows how it feels to stand on the very top step of the podium, and is now very familiar with the DTM. I have great faith in both of them.”
The 2015 DTM season gets underway on 2nd May 2015 with the first of 18 races. For the first time since 2000, two races will be held each weekend this year.
Blomqvist: “I’m ready for the challenge.”
An interview with Tom Blomqvist: The new kid on the block at BMW Motorsport will contest his debut season in the DTM with BMW Team RBM in 2015. This will see a dream come true for the 21-year-old.
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Ever since he first witnessed the DTM as a Formula 3 driver racing on the support programme, it has been his ambition to one day compete in the popular touring car series. He completed his first laps in the BMW M4 DTM at the test session in Jerez in December 2014. The son of former World Rally Champion, Stig Blomqvist, made an excellent impression and was announced as the eighth BMW DTM driver last week.
Tom, what does it mean to you being a BMW DTM driver?
Tom Blomqvist: “Firstly I would like to thank BMW for this opportunity. I’ve been working hard my whole career to get a professional drive so to finally achieve that means the world to me. I am really looking forward to being part of the BMW DTM family and to compete with BMW Team RBM. I’m ecstatic, but it is only the beginning and a lot of hard work still lies ahead of me.”
Do you think it will be difficult to get used to a race car with a roof?
Blomqvist: “No I don’t think so, as I proved at the test that I was able to adapt to the BMW M4 DTM relatively quickly. I know I have a lot to learn though, so I’m not getting carried away. There will certainly be a few things that I have to get used to like pit stops etc., but I’m ready for the challenge.”
What are your personal goals for the 2015 season?
Blomqvist: “I set myself high expectations, but at the same time I have to be realistic as there are a lot of experienced and quick drivers in the DTM. I’m a rookie and have a lot to learn but I want to help BMW to have another successful season. However I will take it how it comes. All I can do is give 100% and see what that brings.”
Extensive partnership: BMW Motorsport and Shell race together in the DTM, USCC and the “Green Hell”.
16.02.2015
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Munich (DE), 16th February 2015. Shell BMW M4 DTM, Premium Technology Partner Shell Helix Ultra, design, livery. This image is ...
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Munich (DE), 16th February 2015. A strong partner for the new season: when BMW Motorsport races in the DTM, the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE) in 2015, it will be joined by Shell as its new Premium Technology Partner.
From 2015, Shell is also the only “recommended supplier of genuine BMW engine oil” and “BMW’s only recommended oil supplier for aftermarket engine oils”. This exclusive cooperation is now being extended to the racetrack, where the teams will race on Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum engine oils. All these engine oils are made from natural gas which enables them to deliver enhanced engine protection and performance for both BMW road and race cars.
The Shell Helix Ultra logo will appear on all eight BMW M4 DTMs race cars, as well as on the team apparel and drivers’ helmets and overalls. Shell Helix Ultra is one of a series of premium engine oils based on the unique Shell PurePlus Technology – a revolutionary gas-to-liquid (GTL) process that converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil, the main component of oils, with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil. When this technology is combined with a selection of high performance additives it actively protects the engine and keeps it clean. The Shell BMW M4 DTM race car will also bear the company’s striking red and yellow design.
BMW Motorsport engineers will also work alongside Shell scientists to develop high-performance oils for use in BMW Motorsport race cars. This development will be on-going during testing and the course of each respective race season. It will focus on sequential improvements of performance factors such as reducing friction and wear.
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt commented on the latest exciting developments: “Everyone at BMW Motorsport is delighted that we can count on the support of Shell in the future, both in the DTM and the USCC, as well as the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum are high-performance brands, which are perfectly suited to our motorsport projects. We are putting our faith in these high-performance lubricants, and hope that the new partnership will allow us to lay the foundation for great success together on the racetrack.”
Speaking on the news Mark Gainsborough, the Shell Lubricant Executive Vice President, said: “Shell has a passion for all things in motorsport as demonstrated by our long standing involvement in the international motorsport arena. We are excited to be expanding this involvement as BMW Motorsport’s partner, in addition to being BMW’s recommended supplier of aftermarket engine oils. The partnership with BMW Motorsport highlights the significant contribution that our oils especially our Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum engine oil brands can make to the performance of the BMW race cars. We look forward to working alongside the BMW Motorsport team to develop and deliver products to maximise drive train performance of the BMW race car fleet. This collaboration will enable both companies to push the boundaries of both motor oil and engine development hopefully for the ultimate benefit of the everyday road car driver.”
BMW Motorsport will also use Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology in GT and endurance racing. This premium product can significantly help improve the performance and life cycle of the drive train. These properties are essential, particularly at the toughest racetrack in the world – the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE). For this reason, Shell will also support the BMW Motorsport works teams at the 24-hour marathon in the “Green Hell”: the BMW Z4 GT3s will also bear the Shell Helix Ultra logo.
BMW Motorsport enters its second season in the USCC in North America, where, together with its new Premium Partner Shell, it is looking to add another chapter to its success story. From 2015, the two BMW Z4 GTLMs run by BMW Team RLL will line up on the grid bearing the name Pennzoil Platinum – a further Shell engine oil made from PurePlus Technology.
About Shell Lubricants:
The term “Shell Lubricants” collectively refers to Shell Group companies engaged in the lubricants business. Shell sells a wide variety of lubricants to meet customer needs across a range of applications. These include consumer motoring, heavy-duty transport, mining, power generation and general engineering. Shell’s portfolio of lubricant brands includes Pennzoil, Quaker State, Shell Helix, Shell Rotella, Shell Tellus and Shell Rimula. We are active across the full lubricant supply chain. We manufacture base oils in eight plants, blend base oils with additives to make lubricants in over 50 plants, distribute, market and sell lubricants in over 100 countries.
We also provide technical and business support to customers. We offer lubricant-related services in addition to our product range. These include: Shell LubeMatch –the market leading product on-line recommendation tool, Shell LubeAdvisor - helps customers to select the right lubricant through highly trained Shell technical staff as well as online tools, and Shell LubeAnalyst - an early warning system that enables customers to monitor the condition of their equipment and lubricant, helping to save money on maintenance and avoid potential lost business through equipment failure.
Shell’s world-class technology works to deliver value to our customers. Innovation, product application and technical collaboration are at the heart of Shell lubricants. We have leading lubricants research centres in China, Germany, Japan (in a joint venture with Showa Shell), and the USA. We invest significantly in technology and work closely with our customers to develop innovative lubricants. We have a patent portfolio with 150 + patent series for lubricants, base oils and greases; more than 200 scientists and lubricants engineers dedicated to lubricants research and development.
Customer benefits include lower maintenance costs, longer equipment life and reduced energy consumption. One of the ways we push the boundaries of lubricant technology is by working closely with top motor racing teams such as Scuderia Ferrari. These technical partnerships enable us to expand our knowledge of lubrication science and transfer cutting-edge technology from the racetrack to our commercial products.
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.
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Hand-over.
Marco Wittmann was at BMW Welt in Munich on Friday to pick up his BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition.
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BMW M GmbH designed this edition of the BMW M4 Coupé in honour of the 2014 DTM champion. In a tribute to the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM, the Champion Edition is offered exclusively in Alpine White. The model was modified at the BMW Individual factory. The matt-black bonnet and boot lid with the eye-catching stripe design display close links with the victorious BMW M4 DTM. Added to the mix are an M kidney grille with orange surround, an M logo rearwards of the front wheel arches, the number 23 on the doors and the flag along with “WIT” and “DTM Champion 2014” lettering on the rear side windows.
The same carbon fibre roof as used on the production model and black character lines down the side underline the relationship between the production car and the racing car. The BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition is also fitted with 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a black front splitter, a black side skirt blade, carbon front flaps, carbon mirror caps, a rear spoiler and a carbon diffuser insert from the M Performance Parts range. The Champion Edition underlines its exclusivity once again when you step inside. The door sill plates bear Marco Wittmann’s autograph, while carbon interior trim strips – likewise signed by the 24-year-old from Fürth, Germany – feature “DTM Champion 2014” lettering and the car’s serial number.
Only a limited number of this edition are available: in keeping with Wittmann’s number from last season, only 23 of this exclusive premium sports car have been made. Each model is numbered consecutively. The cars were ordered by BMW M customers all over the world, and were out of stock within no time at all. Anyone who bought this special edition is also entitled to a training session on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, at which Wittmann will be on hand to offer the BMW M customers valuable advice on how to keep the car perfectly under control.
Three questions for… Marco Wittmann.
Marco, does it bring back memories of your title win when you look at the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition?
Marco Wittmann: “It is very special for me to be able to drive every day in a road-going version of the BMW M4 Coupé in the same design as my DTM car. The car is like a collector’s item for me. I will definitely drive it, but only in the summer and to special occasions. After all, the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition is the icing on the cake at the end of an outstanding 2014 season. The car looks fantastic. The colours and stripes radiate a dynamic that suits me perfectly. It was a great feeling to drive the first few metres in the car. It goes without saying that moments like that bring back memories of crossing the finish line at the Lausitzring. That was the greatest success of my career so far. I will never forget that day.”
Could you ever have dreamt that somebody would one day build a car in your honour?
Wittmann: “No, I would never have thought it possible. It is a huge honour that BMW M GmbH dedicated a car to me. Particularly as there are only 23 models of this premium sports car available, in keeping with my start number last season. It is hard for me to imagine that only 23 people in the world have the pleasure of owning this car. And I am one of them. That is crazy, and something I am extremely proud of.”
Bruno Spengler was given a BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition after his title win in 2012. How does it feel to now be driving your own model?
Wittmann: “I was the test and development driver for BMW Motorsport back then, and had a front-row seat as Bruno won the 2012 DTM. I thought it was a fantastic gesture from BMW M GmbH to present him with his own car. Two years later I was able to repeat Bruno’s success. And now I have actually received my own Champion Edition. At least I can now join in the conversation when Bruno is waxing lyrical about his black BMW M3.”
BMW Kart Challenge: Bob stars including Holcomb, Friedrich and Melbardis burn rubber as World Championship opens with a bang.
24.02.2015
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24th February 2015 - BMW FIBT Bob & Skeleton World Championships 2015 - BMW Kart Challenge © BMW AG (2/2015).
Winterberg. The first title at the “2015 BMW FIBT Bob & Skeleton World Championship” was not decided on ice, but on asphalt: Brian Shimer, Olympic bronze medallist in 2002 and now coach of the US team, won the BMW Kart Challenge in Winterberg. BSD newcomer Johannes Lochner finished an impressive second, ahead of the Olympic silver medallist from Sochi, Beat Hefti (SUI). Under the guidance of BMW DTM driver Timo Glock, the reigning world champion in the two man bob, Francesco Friedrich (GER), and World Cup winner Oskars Melbardis (LAT) were also embroiled in thrilling race action and bumper-to-bumper duels. Also battling for position were Junior world champion Nico Walther and Steven Holcomb (USA), the 2010 Olympic champion in the four-man bob and bronze medallist in the two and four-man bob in Sochi. And there was no shortage of girl power on the kart track. German riders Anja Schneiderheinze, the 2006 Olympic champion, 2011 world champion Cathleen Martini, and Stefanie Szczurek also showed what they are capable of behind the wheel.
The trio of Shimer, Lochner and Hefti celebrated the first success of the World Championship with the traditional champagne shower, before looking forward to their ‘win bonuses’. Shimer’s reward for his victory is a BMW M driver training session. Glock was on hand to explain the rules and offer to demonstrate a few tricks to the top athletes before taking on the bobsleigh riders in qualifying and the race.
BMW is making its first appearance as title sponsor of the “2015 BMW FIBT Bob & Skeleton World Championship”, which takes place from 23rd February to 8th March 2015 in Winterberg, in the German region of Sauerland. In addition, BMW is also the “Official Main Sponsor of the Viessmann FIBT World Cup”, “Official Car and Technology Partner of the FIBT World Cup, World Championships and Federation”, as well as “Title Sponsor of the FIBT World Championships”.
Quotes after the BMW Kart Challenge:
Timo Glock: “That was a great event. I was surprised how quick the bobsleigh riders were in a kart. I will obviously have my fingers crossed for all the teams for the World Championship. My insider’s tip for a medal is Johannes Lochner: anyone who is that quick in a kart cannot fail to be right up there with the front-runners in the ice channel too. I am already looking forward to one day experiencing the adrenalin and excitement of being in a bobsleigh. I cannot wait for that!”
Francesco Friedrich: “BMW once again did a superb job of organising the event. I may not be the most talented kart driver, but it was still great fun. Timo gave us some good tips, which was very interesting. When he was in front of me I was able to track him for two or three corners, but you have no chance when he really puts his foot down.”
Nico Walther: “Unfortunately I missed out on the podium in the final corner. I didn’t know it was the last lap, so I was not expecting an attack from Beat. Thankfully, however, it was the BMW Kart Challenge and not the Bob World Championship. I would be very annoyed with myself then if I let the bronze medal slip out of my hands in the final turn. It was impressive to see Timo in action out on the track. It is crazy how he passes you with such ease – but he does have a weight advantage over us bob athletes.”
Johannes Lochner: “That was a super event. It was cool to see Timo Glock here and to race against him. When else do you get an opportunity like that? As a bob rider, I obviously have speed in my blood.”
Anja Schneiderheinze: “It is great to be the top lady in the field – especially as it has been a few years since I last sat in a kart. As a bob rider, I am obviously used to high speeds, but karting also has its perils. You really have to concentrate.”
Oskars Melbardis: “That was a nice way to start the World Championship and was a lot of fun. Occasions like this are a good opportunity to meet your opponents in a relaxed atmosphere, before you battle it out for the medals in the ice channel.”
Beat Hefti: “We often go karting in Switzerland in the summer. It is always hugely enjoyable – and we had more than enough fun again today. The BMW Kart Challenge was a genius idea. We should do that much more often. It is fun to take on the other athletes away from the ice channel every now and again – and events like this are also good for our sport. Furthermore, it is very exciting to meet professionals from other sports.”
Brian Shimer: “For me it is dream. I loved it. I don’t do karting very often. But we came to Winterberg for racing, so a friendly competition between the athletes and the coaches was great. It is a different level, a little more fun, so you get to know everyone a little bit better. A great way to start the World Championship!”
Steven Holcomb: “This was a lot of fun. It is good to have events like this. It has been a long season for us and we’ve been in Europe for ten weeks now. It’s great to come here and have some fun. We are competitive and raced very hard today, but still with a lot of fun. BMW is a great sponsor for the American team and it is fun being part of the BMW family.”
First appearance of the 2015 season for the BMW M4 DTM.
27.02.2015
Monteblanco, 27th February 2015. BMW Motorsport, DTM, photo shooting, Timo Glock, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM. This image is ...
Munich (DE), 27th February 2015. BMW and its four DTM teams are moving up a gear in their preparations for the 2015 season opener at Hockenheim (DE) on 2nd May. At the annual BMW Motorsport photo and film shoot, on location in Monteblanco (ES) this time around, the BMW M4 DTMs showed off their new look for the upcoming 18 races of the year for the first time at the track.
In line with the strict technical regulations of the popular touring car series, the BMW Motorsport engineers have spent the past few months further developing the successful BMW M4 DTM with which Marco Wittmann (DE) won the DTM drivers’ title last year and BMW Team RMG secured first place in the team standings. The focus was on the requirements resulting from the change in race format, and on further refining the components unaffected by the homologation.
While the technical changes are mainly to the inside of the BMW M4 DTM, and therefore not visible, as in previous years the vehicles of the BMW teams captivate with their varied designs. Reigning champion Wittmann will once again be at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM and will, therefore, continue to represent the eye-catching colours of the Belgian watch manufacturer and BMW Motorsport Premium Partner. The H&R logo will also feature prominently on Wittmann’s car in 2015. As Official Partner, the manufacturer of chassis components will now be clearly visible on the doors of the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM.
“I feel that my car has always attracted a lot of attention over the past two years – and was also really fast,” said Wittmann referring to his race car fielded by BMW Team RMG. “It's fantastic that I get to represent the colours of Ice-Watch once again in 2015. Our Premium Partner provided great support last season, and it was wonderful that I was able to thank them for that with victories. We’re aiming for the same again this year. The collaboration with H&R also contributes to success. That's why this logo suits my car perfectly.”
Wittmann's team-mate Maxime Martin (BE) will drive the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM in 2015. The Belgian celebrated his first DTM victory last season in Moscow (RU) and was the “Rookie of the Year” after ten races. “Samsung SDI is a strong partner – and together we are highly motivated for the 2015 season. It’s also great that ZF will again be visible on the doors of my car this season. Naturally I will try to build on my experiences from my first year in the DTM and add further successes. I’m definitely excited for the first race weekend.”
Martin Tomczyk (DE) will ensure continuity at BMW Team Schnitzer: The 2011 DTM champion will start his fourth season in traditional BMW M colours at the wheel of the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM. His new team-mate António Félix da Costa (PT) will compete in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM for the second year running.
BMW Team RBM driver Augusto Farfus (BR) wants to celebrate success in the new season at the wheel of the Shell BMW M4 DTM. The 31-year-old will now be driving in the red and yellow design of BMW Motorsport's new Premium Technology Partner. “I’m really looking forward to driving the Shell BMW M4 DTM. Shell is a fantastic partner for BMW Motorsport – and I really like the design of my DTM car. I can hardly wait for the first race in May. Until then we will use our test programme to make sure we are as well prepared as possible for the season.” In the 2015 season all eight BMW M4 DTMs will use engine oils with Shell PurePlus Technology.
DTM fans will recognise the two cars of Bruno Spengler (CA) and Timo Glock (DE), the drivers from BMW Team MTEK. The collaboration between Spengler and Premium Partner BMW Bank is heading into its fourth season. The Canadian won the drivers’ title in the BMW Bank M3 DTM in 2012. Now he's aiming for further success in the black BMW Bank M4 DTM. Glock is also heading into his third DTM season at the wheel of the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM.
The details of the BMW M4 DTM of Tom Blomqvist (GB) 2015 will be announced at a later date. In the coming week the BMW teams will complete their first test of the year: In Portimão (PT) the BMW M4 DTMs will also compete with their direct rivals in the 2015 DTM season from Monday to Wednesday.
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BMW M4 DTM completes opening test of the year – First encounter with the opposition in Portimão.
04.03.2015
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Portimao (PT) 03th March 2015. BMW Motorsport, Antonio Felix da Costa (PT) BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM. This image is ...
Portimão (PT), 4th March 2015. The crucial phase of preparations for the 2015 DTM season is underway. Two BMW M4 DTMs got their first test kilometres of the year under their belts in ideal conditions and beautiful spring weather in Portimão (PT). The two cars in action completed a total of more than 3,000 kilometres between Monday and Wednesday.
Six of the eight drivers who will compete for BMW Motorsport in the DTM in 2015 were given time at the wheel in Portimão. Over the course of the three test days, Bruno Spengler (CA), António Félix da Costa (PT), Timo Glock (DE), Tom Blomqvist (GB), Maxime Martin (BE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) were all in action at the “Autódromo Internacional do Algarve”. This was Blomqvist’s first outing as a BMW works driver, having secured the eighth seat in BMW Motorsport’s DTM squad in February.
The engineers focussed primarily on the set-up of the BMW M4 DTM in Portugal. The test also provided an important opportunity to test improvements to those areas of the car that are not subject to the homologation. The goal for the drivers was to spend as much time as possible on track, in order to regain a feel for the car on a racetrack after the long winter break.
Portimão saw all three manufacturers in the DTM meet for the first time this year. The official ITR test is scheduled for 25th to 27th March in Estoril (PT). That is followed by the final tests in Oschersleben (DE) from 14th to 16th April. The 2015 DTM season then kicks off with the opening race in Hockenheim (DE) on 2nd May.
Quotes from the BMW DTM drivers after the test in Portimão:
Bruno Spengler: “That was a very productive test for us. We were able to complete our programme without any problems. There is obviously still some work to be done on the remaining test days, but we have definitely taken a step in the right direction. Our advantage compared to last season is that we now know the BMW M4 DTM much better, meaning we are more experienced when it comes to finding the right set-up. However, we also saw that the opposition has not been sleeping over the winter, and are in good shape.”
António Félix da Costa: “That was my first workday at the track with my new team. The guys at BMW Team Schnitzer are extremely professional and I felt at home with them from the word go. My test day went very well. I started with the set-up that Martin Tomczyk had come up with the previous day, and it worked well for me too. It is a very good sign that different drivers are happy with the same set-up of the BMW M4 DTM. Because of this, I am very confident looking ahead to the rest of the pre-season preparations.”
Timo Glock: “It was good to be back in the car and to find my rhythm after the long winter break. We had a few technical problems in the morning, but were able to work through a very good test programme in the afternoon. We found a few things that should help us move in the right direction with regard to the coming season. Our goal is to be back up there with the front-runners in 2015. This was a good start.”
Tom Blomqvist: “That’s the first time I’ve ever driven here in Portimão. The track is very interesting and demanding – a bit like a rollercoaster. In the first few laps I was a bit lost but once I figured out where it goes I was able to run the normal programme without any problems. I also got used to the BMW M4 DTM again after a few laps. After that everything was okay. This track is definitely a very good test for my fitness.“
Maxime Martin: “It’s great to be back in the car after quite a long winter break. I enjoyed working with the BMW guys and the BMW M4 DTM again. It was a good day and I’m eager to continue preparing for the 2015 season in the weeks to come.“
Martin Tomczyk: “That was a very good test of stamina for me after the long break. Portimão is a tiring circuit with a lot of hills and bumps. You soon find out whether you are physically fit here. I really enjoyed myself, as we had a very good day of testing. We managed to test a lot of things. Over the winter, we tried to change a few things on the car, within the regulations. The first impression is that these changes seem to have paid off. However, that was only the first test. We will only find out for certain over the coming weeks.”
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Car numbers for the 2015 season confirmed.
The 2015 DTM season has another new feature in store. With immediate effect, the car numbers of the drivers will no longer be based on the team they drive for and the overall standings of the previous year.
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Instead, each driver will compete with an individually selected number. The BMW DTM drivers have chosen the following numbers: As reigning champion, Marco Wittmann will sport the number 1 on his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. In case he has to hand over the title in the future, he has chosen car number 11 as an alternative. Bruno Spengler chose number 7, which was the number he had in 2012 when he was DTM champion in the BMW Bank M3 DTM. António Félix da Costa will drive with number 13 in 2015, Timo Glock with number 16, Augusto Farfus with number 18, DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist with number 31 and Maxime Martin with number 36. Martin Tomczyk chose number 77 for his BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM.
BMW M4 DTM completes opening test of the year.
The crucial phase of preparations for the 2015 DTM season is underway.
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Two BMW M4 DTMs got their first test kilometres of the year under their belts in ideal conditions and beautiful spring weather in Portimão. The two cars in action completed a total of more than 3,000 kilometres between Monday and Wednesday.
Six of the eight drivers who will compete for BMW Motorsport in the DTM in 2015 were given time at the wheel in Portimão. Over the course of the three test days, Bruno Spengler, António Félix da Costa, Timo Glock, Tom Blomqvist, Maxime Martin and Martin Tomczyk were all in action at the “Autódromo Internacional do Algarve”. This was Blomqvist’s first outing as a BMW works driver, having secured the eighth seat in BMW Motorsport’s DTM squad in February.
The engineers focussed primarily on the set-up of the BMW M4 DTM in Portugal. The test also provided an important opportunity to test improvements to those areas of the car that are not subject to the homologation. The goal for the drivers was to spend as much time as possible on track, in order to regain a feel for the car on a racetrack after the long winter break.
Portimão saw all three manufacturers in the DTM meet for the first time this year. The official ITR test is scheduled for 25th to 27th March in Estoril. That is followed by the final tests in Oschersleben from 14th to 16th April. The 2015 DTM season then kicks off with the opening race in Hockenheim on 2nd May.
BMW M4 DTM completes opening test of the year
The crucial phase of preparations for the 2015 DTM season is underway. Two BMW M4 DTMs got their first test kilometres of the year under their belts in ideal conditions and beautiful spring weather in Portimão (PT). The two cars in action completed a total of more than 3,000 kilometres between Monday and Wednesday.
http://www.dtm.com/images/news/13888_1.jpg
Six of the eight drivers who will compete for BMW Motorsport in the DTM in 2015 were given time at the wheel in Portimão. Over the course of the three test days, Bruno Spengler (CA), António Félix da Costa (PT), Timo Glock (DE), Tom Blomqvist (GB), Maxime Martin (BE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) were all in action at the “Autódromo Internacional do Algarve”. This was Blomqvist’s first outing as a BMW works driver, having secured the eighth seat in BMW Motorsport’s DTM squad in February.
The engineers focussed primarily on the set-up of the BMW M4 DTM in Portugal. The test also provided an important opportunity to test improvements to those areas of the car that are not subject to the homologation. The goal for the drivers was to spend as much time as possible on track, in order to regain a feel for the car on a racetrack after the long winter break.
Portimão saw all three manufacturers in the DTM meet for the first time this year. The official ITR test is scheduled for 25th to 27th March in Estoril (PT). That is followed by the final tests in Oschersleben (DE) from 14th to 16th April. The 2015 DTM season then kicks off with the opening race in Hockenheim (DE) on 2nd May.
Quotes from the BMW DTM drivers after the test in Portimão:
Bruno Spengler: “That was a very productive test for us. We were able to complete our programme without any problems. There is obviously still some work to be done on the remaining test days, but we have definitely taken a step in the right direction. Our advantage compared to last season is that we now know the BMW M4 DTM much better, meaning we are more experienced when it comes to finding the right set-up. However, we also saw that the opposition has not been sleeping over the winter, and are in good shape.”
António Félix da Costa: “That was my first workday at the track with my new team. The guys at BMW Team Schnitzer are extremely professional and I felt at home with them from the word go. My test day went very well. I started with the set-up that Martin Tomczyk had come up with the previous day, and it worked well for me too. It is a very good sign that different drivers are happy with the same set-up of the BMW M4 DTM. Because of this, I am very confident looking ahead to the rest of the pre-season preparations.”
Timo Glock: “It was good to be back in the car and to find my rhythm after the long winter break. We had a few technical problems in the morning, but were able to work through a very good test programme in the afternoon. We found a few things that should help us move in the right direction with regard to the coming season. Our goal is to be back up there with the front-runners in 2015. This was a good start.”
Tom Blomqvist: “That’s the first time I’ve ever driven here in Portimão. The track is very interesting and demanding – a bit like a rollercoaster. In the first few laps I was a bit lost but once I figured out where it goes I was able to run the normal programme without any problems. I also got used to the BMW M4 DTM again after a few laps. After that everything was okay. This track is definitely a very good test for my fitness.“
Maxime Martin: “It’s great to be back in the car after quite a long winter break. I enjoyed working with the BMW guys and the BMW M4 DTM again. It was a good day and I’m eager to continue preparing for the 2015 season in the weeks to come.“
Martin Tomczyk: “That was a very good test of stamina for me after the long break. Portimão is a tiring circuit with a lot of hills and bumps. You soon find out whether you are physically fit here. I really enjoyed myself, as we had a very good day of testing. We managed to test a lot of things. Over the winter, we tried to change a few things on the car, within the regulations. The first impression is that these changes seem to have paid off. However, that was only the first test. We will only find out for certain over the coming weeks.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGjt8HQumHY&feature=em-uploademail
The newcomers: Tom Blomqvist
DTM race seats are sought-after and rare. So, the grid for 2015 DTM season that will be kicked off in early May at Hockenheim will feature just three newcomers. One of the three DTM rookies is Tom Blomqvist, who is going to race the BMW M4 DTM #31, in this year’s season of the most popular international touring-car series.
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For the die-hard motor-racing enthusiast, this name is well-known. Tom’s father Stig Blomqvist is a Swedish rally legend and won the 1984 World Rally Championship. Over the course of his long career, he contested a total of 122 World Rally Championship rounds. His son, however, opted for another career: having celebrated some early successes in karting, Tom opted for switching to single-seater racing – and secured numerous wins in several Formula Renault championships, inter alia in Sweden and New Zealand. In 2010, at the age of just 16 years, Tom won the British Formula Renault Championship. In 2011, in the German Formula 3 Cup, Blomqvist was lucky that things didn’t turn out even worse: in an accident during the seventh race meeting, at the Lausitzring, his third lumbar vertebra was injured and he had to make do with a longer break. Afterwards, he contested another three Formula 3 seasons: in 2012, Tom raced in both the Formula 3 Euro Series and the German Formula Cup to finish seventh in the European series and secure five race wins in the German cup. In 2013, he finished seventh in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and in the following season, he attracted a lot of attention by winning six races and finishing runner-up in the championship, thus impressing the Team Principals in higher motor-racing categories.
So je was signed by BMW and will be teamed-up at BMW Team RBM with Augusto Farfus, a BMW DTM driver since the Bavarian’s made their comeback in the series. Team Principal Bart Mampaey looks forward to the things to come. “With Tom Blomqvist, we are joined by a young and fast driver who has got all it takes to also deliver in DTM,” he said.
Tom Blomqvist was born on 30th November, 1993, in Cambridge (GB). When he was six, his family moved to New Zealand. Blomqvist made his first steps on the motor-racing ladder with a Swedish license but in mid-2010, he replaced the Swedish by a British license and has been representing the UK, since then. In 2012 he was supported by McLaren – to contest the 2013 season as Red Bull Junior.
Jamie Green prevails in first clash at Estoril
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Just a few weeks to go to the 2015 DTM season kick-off at the Hockenheimring. A first foretaste of the things to come will be provided from Wednesday to Friday (25th to 27th March) during the official ITR tests at Estoril, Portugal. On the first of the three days of testing, Audi’s Briton Jamie Green proved to be the quickest by crossing the line of the 4.182-kilometre circuit with his Audi RS 5 DTM in 1:32.774 minutes, thus being 0.399 seconds faster than second-placed fellow Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller. Third position on the time sheets was secured by Scot Paul Di Resta who set a personal fastest lap time of 1:33.202 minutes, at the wheel of his Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM.
Meanwhile, Bruno Spengler proved to be the fastest of the BMW drivers. The Canadian set the sixth fastest time behind Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) and Mattias Ekström (Audi). His gap to the quickest added up to 0.504 seconds. The busiest man of the day was Rockenfeller. The German covered 652.292 kilometres, representing the distance from the Nürburgring to the Lausitzring.
The first official DTM tests of the year will be continued on Thursday, with the fans being offered the opportunity to follow the race action in Portugal via the live timing at live.dtm.com. The morning session will run from 10.00 to 14.00hrs CET and in the afternoon, the three premium-car manufacturers involved, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, will continue the testing work from 15.00 to 19.00hrs.
Pos # Name Car Laps Best Gap Int
1 53 Jamie Green Audi RS 5 DTM 127 1:32.774
2 99 Mike Rockenfeller Audi RS 5 DTM 156 1:33.173 00.399 00.399
3 3 Paul Di Resta Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 98 1:33.202 00.029 00.428
4 94 Pascal Wehrlein Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 94 1:33.242 00.040 00.468
5 5 Mattias Ekström Audi RS 5 DTM 147 1:33.269 00.027 00.495
6 7 Bruno Spengler BMW M4 DTM 98 1:33.278 00.009 00.504
7 22 Lucas Auer Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 71 1:33.470 00.192 00.696
8 84 Maximilian Götz Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 93 1:33.510 00.040 00.736
9 27 Adrien Tambay Audi RS 5 DTM 133 1:33.519 00.009 00.745
10 18 Augusto Farfus BMW M4 DTM 112 1:33.585 00.066 00.811
11 77 Martin Tomczyk BMW M4 DTM 137 1:33.755 00.170 00.981
12 36 Maxime Martin BMW M4 DTM 143 1:34.087 00.332 1.313
Müller the quickest on day three of the DTM tests at Estoril
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On Friday evening, the first official DTM pre-season tests in 2015 – also representing the first clash of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the three premium-car manufacturers involved – came to an end. The fastest lap time on the last day of testing was set by Nico Müller at the wheel of the Audi RS 5 DTM. With his lap time of 1:32.443 minutes, set in the morning the session, the Swiss was not only the fastest of day three but of the entire three days of testing.
Behind Müller, fellow Audi driver Timo Scheider secured second position on the time sheets. The two-time DTM Champion (2008/2009) was 0.143 seconds slower than the quickest. This position was clinched by Gary Paffett. On his personal fastest lap with his Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM, Paffett crossed the line in 1:32.640 minutes. António Félix da Costa was the fastest BMW driver, on Friday. He finished fifth behind Miguel Molina (Audi). The busiest driver of the day was Maxime Martin (BMW). At the wheel of his BMW M4 DTM, the Belgian completed 154 laps, on Friday – three more than Müller.
In about three weeks, the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will be the venue of another three days of DTM testing. There, the manufacturers will continue their preparations for the season kick-off at Hockenheim (03rd May) from 14th to 16th April.
And from 30th April to 03rd May, in the DTM Festival, the DTM enthusiasts will find out if the results achieved in the tests reflect the true balance of power on the DTM grid. After all, fast laps will be the only thing that counts, in the season opener. And in addition, the fans will witness the debut of the new DTM format with two races per weekend. Furthermore, the programme will not only feature DTM, the new Audi TT-Cup, the Porsche Carrera Cup and the Formula 3 European Championship: for the first time in the history of the sport, an FIA World Rallycross Championship round will be held in the DTM support programme.
Pos # Name Fahrzeug Laps Best Gap Int
1 51 Nico Müller Audi RS 5 DTM 151 1:32.443
2 10 Timo Scheider Audi RS 5 DTM 108 1:32.586 00.143 00.143
3 2 Gary Paffett Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 136 1:32.640 00.054 00.197
4 17 Miguel Molina Audi RS 5 DTM 133 1:32.673 00.033 00.230
5 13 DAC BMW M4 DTM 143 1:32.852 00.179 00.409
6 48 Edoardo Mortara Audi RS 5 DTM 114 1:33.075 00.223 00.632
7 12 Daniel Juncadella Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 108 1:33.100 00.025 00.657
8 6 Robert Wickens Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 114 1:33.172 00.072 00.729
9 8 Christian Vietoris Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 101 1:33.187 00.015 00.744
10 36 Maxime Martin BMW M4 DTM 154 1:33.236 00.049 00.793
11 31 Tom Blomqvist BMW M4 DTM 130 1:33.669 00.433 01.226
12 16 Timo Glock BMW M4 DTM 118 1:33.721 00.052 01.278
Δοκιμές υπό καταιγίδα: η BMW Motorsport συνέχισε τις προετοιμασίες πριν την έναρξη της σεζόν.
30.03.2015
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Estoril (PT) 26th March 2015. ITR Testing, BMW Motorsport, Martin Tomczyk (DE) BMW M Perfromance Parts M4 DTM. This image is ...
Προβολή όλων των πολυμέσων
Εστορίλ, Πορτογαλία. Οι οκτώ οδηγοί BMW συμμετείχαν ενεργά κατά τη διάρκεια της τριήμερης δοκιμής που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο “Circuito do Estoril” (PT) την περασμένη εβδομάδα (Τετάρτη – Παρασκευή). Με έμφαση στο σετάρισμα της BMW M4 DTM συνεχίστηκε η προετοιμασία εν όψει της νέας μορφής των αγώνων DTM τη φετινή σεζόν.
Οι καιρικές συνθήκες έπαιξαν σημαντικό ρόλο στο σιρκουί των 4,182 km: ο ισχυρός αέρας δημιούργησε εμπόδια στις δοκιμές, ιδίως την πρώτη ημέρα. Μεμονωμένες μπόρες επίσης επηρέασαν το πρόγραμμα των τεσσάρων ομάδων της BMW DTM την Πέμπτη. Παρόλα αυτά όμως, οι ομάδες κατάφεραν να συγκεντρώσουν πολύτιμα δεδομένα για τη νέα σεζόν.
Τον καλύτερο χρόνο από όλους τους οδηγούς της BMW σημείωσε την Παρασκευή ο António Félix da Costa (PT): ο οδηγός της BMW Team Schnitzer ολοκλήρωσε το γύρο του στη θρυλική Πορτογαλική πίστα σε χρόνο 1:32.852 λεπτών. Ταχύτερος οδηγός της γενικής κατάταξης στο Εστορίλ ήταν ο Nico Müller (CH) της Audi ο οποίος έγραψε χρόνο 1:32.443 λεπτών.
Η τελευταία δοκιμή πριν το ξεκίνημα του DTM στις 2/3 Μαΐου θα πραγματοποιηθεί στη Γερμανία, ενώ στις 14 – 16 Απριλίου οι οκτώ οδηγοί της BMW και οι αντίπαλοί τους θα τρέξουν στην πίστα Motorsport Arena Oschersleben” (DE).
Σχόλια των οδηγών DTM της BMW μετά τη δοκιμή του Εστορίλ:
Marco Wittmann: «Αν και είναι δύσκολο να έχεις αξιόπιστα αποτελέσματα σε τόσο διακυμαινόμενες συνθήκες, ολοκληρώσαμε ένα εκτενές πρόγραμμα από το οποίο αποκομίσαμε πολλά. Το νέο πρόγραμμα για τα αγωνιστικά Σαββατοκύριακα έπαιξε σημαντικό ρόλο. Δοκιμάστηκαν πολλά σε αυτό τον τομέα».
Maxime Martin: «Ο αέρας δυσκόλεψε πολύ τα πράγματα την πρώτη μέρα. Η Παρασκευή ήταν πιο ευχάριστη. Εν τούτοις είχαμε ένα παραγωγικό αποτέλεσμα. Μπορέσαμε να δοκιμάσουμε πολλά διαφορετικά πράγματα. Ήδη ανυπομονώ για τις επόμενες δοκιμές στο Oschersleben – και ασφαλώς για το ξεκίνημα της σεζόν το Μάιο».
Martin Tomczyk: «Ο αέρας μας δημιούργησε κάποια κωλύματα στην αρχή, απλά επειδή δεν είχαμε σταθερές συνθήκες. Αυτό δεν βοηθά όταν κάνεις δοκιμές. Ο αέρας έπεσε μεν κάπως την Πέμπτη, αλλά τότε άρχισε να βρέχει. Θα περίμενε κανείς διαφορετικές συνθήκες στην Πορτογαλία, αλλά όλα είναι στο πρόγραμμα. Έγιναν μερικά ακόμα βήματα προς τη σωστή κατεύθυνση. Από αυτή τη βάση, θα συνεχίσουμε στο Oschersleben».
Ant ó nio F é lix da Costa: «Πραγματικά το ευχαριστήθηκα στο σιρκουί της πατρίδας μου στο Εστορίλ. Είμαι περήφανος που το DTM επέλεξε αυτή την πίστα για τη δοκιμή. Δώσαμε απαντήσεις σε μερικά ανοιχτά θέματα κατά τη διάρκεια της Παρασκευής – και αυτό είναι πάντα καλό. Η συνεργασία με τη BMW Team Schnitzer προχωρά τέλεια. Όλοι στη νέα μου ομάδα με κάνουν να νιώθω πολύ ευπρόσδεκτος».
Augusto Farfus: «Πραγματικά δεν ήταν εύκολο με αυτό τον αέρα, αλλά οι συνθήκες ήταν ίδιες για όλους. Δεν είχα περάσει πολύ χρόνο στο τιμόνι του DTM αυτοκινήτου μου, γι’ αυτό η δοκιμή ήταν άκρως απολαυστική. Σημειώσαμε πρόοδο, αλλά έχουμε ακόμα μπροστά μας πολλή δουλειά πριν την έναρξη της σεζόν. Το συμπέρασμα μετά το Εστορίλ είναι σίγουρα θετικό: ολοκληρώσαμε τη λίστα με τις προγραμματισμένες δοκιμές».
Tom Blomqvist: «Η ισορροπία του αυτοκινήτου μας εξακολουθούσε να υστερεί την Παρασκευή το βράδυ, αλλά καταφέραμε να τη βελτιώσουμε κατά τη διάρκεια της ημέρας. Ήταν μία νέα πίστα για μένα, αλλά σύντομα βρήκα ρυθμό. Γενικά, με βοήθησε η αναμονή πριν οδηγήσω στη λιακάδα την επόμενη μέρα της δοκιμής. Ωστόσο, ο αέρας επανήλθε το απόγευμα».
Bruno Spengler: «Οι συνθήκες προφανώς δεν ήταν άριστες, αλλά συνολικά, ήταν πολύ θετικές ημέρες για εμάς. Σε αυτή τη φάση, οι χρόνοι γύρου δεν ήταν κρίσιμοι. Δεν κερδίζεις βαθμούς πριν το Hockenheim. Τώρα το μυστικό είναι να ολοκληρώσεις το πρόγραμμα και να μάθεις όσο το δυνατόν περισσότερα και τα καταφέραμε, παρά τις δύσκολες συνθήκες του Εστορίλ».
Timo Glock: «Ήταν η πρώτη μου φορά εδώ στο Εστορίλ και μου αρέσει αυτό το σιρκουί. Είναι σίγουρα ξεχωριστό. Δυσκολευτήκαμε στην αρχή την Παρασκευή, αλλά στη συνέχεια βελτιωνόμαστε σταθερά. Έχουμε κάνει ένα ακόμα βήμα που μας φέρνει πιο κοντά στο ξεκίνημα της σεζόν».
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Tom Blomqvist receives his new BMW.
Tom Blomqvist will not only race in a BMW M4 DTM in the future, but can now also enjoy his very own “sheer driving pleasure” away from the track.
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The newcomer to the squad of DTM drivers at BMW Motorsport can now hit the roads in his native England in a BMW M4 Cabriolet. Blomqvist received the car last week at the headquarters of BMW UK in Farnborough. “It is an absolute dream car. I am really looking forward to driving the BMW M4 Cabrio with the roof down in the summer. However, I am sure I will also have a lot of fun with it before then,” said Blomqvist. He was presented with the keys to his new car by Mark Costello, Product Manager Medium Cars at BMW UK. Shortly after, Blomqvist was back behind the wheel of his BMW M4 DTM. He continued the preparations for his debut season in the DTM at the official ITR tests in Estoril.
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Dress rehearsal.
Just a few weeks before the new DTM season gets underway in Hockenheim on the first weekend of May, the BMW teams have the opportunity to put the final touches to their BMW M4 DTM.
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From 13th to 16th April, the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will host an official ITR test. The fans are also in for a treat. They can watch the drivers and teams live as they go about their work on each of the test days. The paddock and grandstands at the Motorsport Arena will be open to spectators on all four days. The roll-out will take place between 17:00 and 18:00 on Monday 13th April. The BMW teams will then complete an intense programme of testing from 09:00 to 13:00 on the three following days.
BMW Motorsport Car Launch in Nürnberg.
Racing action on unusual terrain: that is what guests and fans can look forward to on 26th April, when Nürnberg (DE) hosts the official 2015 BMW Motorsport Car Launch.
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A week before the start of the DTM season, BMW Motorsport is offering an exclusive insight into its extensive programme for the 2015 season on the premises of the BMW Dealership Nürnberg.
Among the highlights are the same eight BMW M4 DTM racing cars with which BMW is out to add new chapters to its success story in the DTM in 2015. Each DTM driver will be on hand to unveil his own car for the season, including local favourite Marco Wittmann. It is set to be a genuine home outing for the reigning DTM champion, who was born and lives just a few kilometres away in Fürth. However, the DTM squad are not the only ones to be presented to the public in Nürnberg. The same goes for renowned drivers from the rest of BMW Motorsport’s racing programme, including Dirk Werner and Lucas Luhr from the United SportsCar Championship (USCC), 2014 BMW Motorsport Junior Jesse Krohn, and BMW works driver and BMW brand ambassador Alessandro Zanardi.
The driving activities on the specially created track are bound to send a shiver down the spine of fans on site: as well as two BMW M4 DTM racing cars, the BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW M235i Racing will also complete a series of demo drives. With a bit of luck, visitors may even take to the track themselves: taxi rides in a BMW M3 GT2 or historic BMW M3 from the 1980s with one of the DTM stars can be won at the BMW Motorsport Car Launch. An autograph session with the BMW DTM drivers rounds off the exciting programme.
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All liveries have been confirmed.
At the DTM Media Day in the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben”, BMW Motorsport presented the remaining two livery designs previously unreleased in its line-up of eight BMW M4 DTMs for the 2015 season.
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António Félix da Costa of BMW Team Schnitzer posed for photos with his number 13 Red Bull BMW M4 DTM for the first time on Monday. This was the car he made his DTM debut in last year. The design for this year’s DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist has also been confirmed: The BMW Team RBM driver will compete in the number 31 BMW M4 DTM in 2015.
Both drivers were obviously delighted with their racing cars for the upcoming nine weekends and 18 races. “It wasn't easy being patient,” said Blomqvist after his car had been presented. “Naturally you want a livery that looks spectacular and commands respect from your rivals on the track just from looking at it. I definitely think that's true of my BMW M4 DTM. It's going to be great finally driving the car in its definitive design during testing here in Oschersleben this week.”
Félix da Costa said: “I'm well known for having driven many superb racing cars with a Red Bull livery – but my Red Bull BMW M4 DTM for the 2015 season really is a beauty. Of course, a cool design isn't enough to ensure success on the track. But when the performance of the car is also right, as is the case for us, it is a fantastic combination. I'm going to enjoy every lap at the wheel of this car.”
In three days of testing in Oschersleben from Tuesday to Thursday, Félix da Costa, Blomqvist and their six fellow BMW drivers have a final opportunity to work on the set-up of their BMW M4 DTMs and to ensure they are ready for the first two races of the year before the DTM season gets underway on 2nd/3rd May.
Overview of the BMW Motorsport line-up:
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
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Rookie Tom Blomqvist sets fastest lap time on day two
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On the second of the three DTM test days at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, one of the DTM rookies set the fastest lap time. Tom Blomqvist, son of rally legend Stig Blomqvist and about to contest his first DTM season – at the wheel of a BMW M4 DTM – outpaced all the other drivers on site, on Wednesday. But with his lap time of 1:20.216 minutes, the Briton was just 0.093 seconds faster than his compatriot Gary Paffett in the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM. On the first day, the Audi drivers had opted for a conservative approach but today, Mattias Ekström completed the brand mix at the top of the time sheets by finishing third. His gap to the quickest amounted to 0.315 seconds.
The only ‘driver swap’ took place at Audi Sport Team Phoenix. In the afternoon, Timo Scheider who contested the morning session was replaced by his team-mate Mike Rockenfeller. But both did without trying to set a really fast time. At the end of the day, they finished ninth (Scheider) and 13th (Rockenfeller) respectively.
Also involved were Martin Tomczyk (BMW, fourth), Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz, fifth), Maxime Martin (BMW, sixth), Timo Glock (BMW, seventh), Jamie Green (Audi, eighth), Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz, 10th), Edoardo Mortara (Audi, 11th) and Daniel Juncadella (Mercedes-Benz, 12th). Altogether, the gaps between the first 11 drivers amounted to a total of less than a second. And even if the cards aren’t fully put on the table, while testing, the result makes you wish or more....
Distance-wise, the 13 drivers upped the ante, today. Together, they completed 1,575 laps at the 3.696-kilomretre circuit located in the Magdeburger Börde region, representing a total mileage of 5,821 kilometres – 550 kilometres more than on Tuesday. By completing 158 laps (=552 kilometres), Ekström was the busiest driver of the day.
The DTM tests at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will be continued on Thursday. Then, the DTM enthusiasts once again will have the chance of witnessing the preparations of the Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz teams on the grandstands and in the paddock free of charge. The morning session will run from 09.00 to 13.00hrs CEST (08.00 to 12.00hrs BST) and the afternoon session from 14.00 to 18.00hrs CEST.
Pos # Name Fahrzeug Runden Best Gap Int
1 31 Tom Blomqvist BMW M4 DTM 132 1:20.216
2 2 Gary Paffett Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 146 1:20.309 00.093 00.093
3 5 Mattias Ekström Audi RS 5 DTM 158 1:20.531 00.222 00.315
4 77 Martin Tomczyk BMW M4 DTM 138 1:20.578 00.047 00.362
5 94 Pascal Wehrlein Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 83 1:20.622 00.044 00.406
6 36 Maxime Martin BMW M4 DTM 154 1:20.640 00.018 00.424
7 16 Timo Glock BMW M4 DTM 142 1:20.804 00.164 00.588
8 53 Jamie Green Audi RS 5 DTM 147 1:20.906 00.102 00.690
9 10 Timo Scheider Audi RS 5 DTM 74 1:20.984 00.078 00.768
10 3 Paul Di Resta Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 124 1:21.010 00.026 00.794
11 48 Edoardo Mortara Audi RS 5 DTM 136 1:21.021 00.011 00.805
12 12 Daniel Juncadella Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 75 1:21.218 00.197 1.002
13 99 Mike Rockenfeller Audi RS 5 DTM 66 1:21.243 00.025 1.027
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Champion Wittmann the quickest on day one
On the first of the three days of testing at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the reigning DTM Champion set the fastest lap time. With his BMW Z4 DTM, Marco Wittmann crossed the finish line of the 3.696-kilometre circuit located in the Magdeburger Börde region in 1:19.913 minutes, thus being the only driver to break the 1:20-minute barrier. His lead over second-placed Robert Wickens was – for DTM circumstances – remarkable: on his fastest lap, the Canadian Mercedes-Benz driver was 0.220 seconds slower than Wittmann. While Wickens outpaced Timo Glock (BMW) by just nine thousandths of a second. The fastest representative of the Audi camp was Nico Müller. Müller, who is going to contest his second DTM season, this year, finished eight on the time sheets, with his Audi RS5 DTM, 0.628 seconds behind the quickest.
In sunshine and vernal temperatures of nearly 20° C, 12 DTM vehicles contested the first day of testing – four per manufacturer. The drivers involved completed a total of 1,437 laps, representing a total mileage of 5,269 kilometres. The busiest driver was Audi works driver Timo Scheider who completed massive 172 laps, representing 635 kilometres.
Mercedes-Benz’ DTM rookie Maximilian Götz was clearly less busy – but unintentionally. His Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM quit the service in the afternoon session as early as at the pit-lane exit when Götz wanted to go out for the first time and the German was forced to witness the test action from the pit wall. To have the chance of salvaging the vehicle safely, the session had to be red-flagged for 20 minutes. Team Mücke Motorsport now will work hard to make the V8 touring car ready to race for day two.
The DTM test will be continued on Wednesday. The morning session will run from 09.00 to 13.00hrs CEST (08.00 to 12.00hrs BST) and the afternoon session from 14.00 to 18.00hrs CEST. The paddock and the grandstands are opened for the fans, the access is free.
Pos # Name Fahrzeug Runden Best Gap Int
1 1 Marco Wittmann BMW M4 DTM 164 1:19.913
2 6 Robert Wickens Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 126 1:20.133 00.220 00.220
3 16 Timo Glock BMW M4 DTM 129 1:20.142 00.009 00.229
4 13 Antonio Félix da Costa BMW M4 DTM 112 1:20.297 00.155 00.384
5 31 Tom Blomqvist BMW M4 DTM 104 1:20.345 00.048 00.432
6 2 Gary Paffett Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 124 1:20.353 00.008 00.440
7 8 Christian Vietoris Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 146 1:20.530 00.177 00.617
8 51 Nico Müller Audi RS 5 DTM 97 1:20.541 00.011 00.628
9 5 Mattias Ekström Audi RS 5 DTM 140 1:20.547 00.006 00.634
10 10 Timo Scheider Audi RS 5 DTM 172 1:20.564 00.017 00.651
11 84 Maximilian Götz Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 94 1:20.982 00.418 1.069
12 48 Edoardo Mortara Audi RS 5 DTM 29 1:21.570 00.588 1.657
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Wehrlein the quickest on the final day of testing at Oschersleben
The last fastest lap time of the second DTM pre-season tests, held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, was set by Pascal Wehrlein. In his Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM, the 20-year old crossed the line on the last of the three days of testing in 1:19:952 minute, thus being 0.038 seconds faster than Marco Wittmann in second position. Nonetheless, the reigning DTM Champion also left Oschersleben with a fastest lap time under his belt as no other driver was able to beat the 1:19.913-minute lap set by Wittmann on Tuesday.
Third and fourth positions on the Thursday time sheets were secured by another two BMW drivers: Augusto Farfus und António Félix da Costa. Behind Paul Di Resta (Mercedes-Benz) and Bruno Spengler (BMW), Adrien Tambay, the best Audi driver, finished seventh. His interval to the quickest added up to 0.318 seconds.
In the morning session, Wehrlein caused a short red-flag period that was necessary for the safe recovery of his car. But Wehrlein could rejoin the test action as early as in the closing stages of the session. Over the course of the day, he completed 144 laps at the 3.696-kilometre circuit while the busiest DTM driver of the Thursday tests, Bruno Spengler, did 171 laps – 27 more than Wehrlein.
The preparations for the 2015 DTM season now have been completed. From 30th April to 03rd May, the most popular international touring-car series will kick off its new season at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg in spectacular style. Four days of full-speed action and a top-cal show programme definitely will ensure that no visitor will be bored. For tickets please click here.
Pos # Name Fahrzeug Runden Best Gap Int
1 94 Pascal Wehrlein Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 144 1:19.952
2 1 Marco Wittmann BMW M4 DTM 164 1:19.990 00.038 00.038
3 18 Augusto Farfus BMW M4 DTM 127 1:19.997 00.007 00.045
4 13 António Félix da Costa BMW M4 DTM 145 1:20.035 00.038 00.083
5 3 Paul Di Resta Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 169 1:20.204 00.169 00.252
6 7 Bruno Spengler BMW M4 DTM 171 1:20.208 00.004 00.256
7 27 Adrien Tambay Audi RS 5 DTM 89 1:20.270 00.062 00.318
8 53 Jamie Green Audi RS 5 DTM 112 1:20.459 00.189 00.507
9 17 Miguel Molina Audi RS 5 DTM 111 1:20.598 00.139 00.646
10 99 Mike Rockenfeller Audi RS 5 DTM 155 1:20.800 00.202 00.848
11 48 Edoardo Mortara Audi RS 5 DTM 30 1:20.994 00.194 1.042
12 22 Lucas Auer Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 119 1:21.026 00.032 1.074
13 12 Daniel Juncadella Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM 86 1:21.098 00.072 1.146
BMW Motorsport completes pre-season preparations with test in Oschersleben.
16.04.2015
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Oschersleben (DE) 14th April 2015. BMW Motorsport, Marco Wittmann (DE) ICE Watch BMW M4 DTM.
Oschersleben (DE), 16th April 2015. With two weeks remaining until the start of the 2015 DTM season, BMW Motorsport has completed its programme of preparations. From Tuesday to Thursday, the four BMW DTM teams and their eight drivers took part in the final pre-season test at the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben” (DE). The first two races of the year will take place in Hockenheim (DE) on 2nd and 3rd May.
The BMW DTM teams and drivers used the three-day test at the 3.667-kilometre circuit to continue work on the set-up of the BMW M4 DTM. The conditions were generally good in the Magdeburger Börde region of Germany, with plenty of sunshine, spring temperatures and some strong gusts of wind.
The fastest time of the day went to a BMW driver on two of the three days. On Tuesday, Marco Wittmann (DE, BMW Team RMG) clocked the fastest lap time of 1:19.913 minutes at the wheel of his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. With this time, Wittmann was also the fastest man overall at the Oschersleben test. On Wednesday, Tom Blomqvist (GB, BMW Team RBM) topped the time sheets, setting a time of 1:20.216 minutes in his BMW M4 DTM. On the third and final day, Wittmann recorded the fastest time of the afternoon session in 1:19.990 minutes. In the day’s rankings he came second. In total, the eight BMW DTM drivers completed more than 6,000 kilometres in Oschersleben.
The next stop for the eight BMW DTM drivers is Nürnberg (DE), where BMW Motorsport will present its complete programme for 2015 on 26th April. Visitors to the official BMW Motorsport Car Launch at the BMW Dealership in Nürnberg can look forward to an exciting programme, which includes the BMW works drivers and various BMW racing cars.
Quotes from the BMW DTM drivers after the test in Oschersleben:
Marco Wittmann: “In general, we can be really satisfied. We had three great days of testing with sunshine and good conditions, which are not guaranteed over here at this time of the year. So the test was clearly positive and also the programme we went through worked very well. We were able to make further improvements compared to the test in Estoril, and this makes us confident for Hockenheim. For sure, there is still a small question mark over where everyone stands, and this will only be answered in qualifying for the season opener. But overall we are really optimistic.”
Maxime Martin: “It is always great to be in the car. We had a good test here in Oschersleben, we worked a lot on the set-up and made some good changes, which worked well here on this track. Overall, I think we are quite well prepared to attack in Hockenheim and will try to have a good race there.”
Martin Tomczyk: “I am really happy with the pre-season testing we have done. When it comes to the set-up of the car, we have gained a lot of valuable information on what action we need to take, and have come up with a good set-up. With that in mind, I am confident we are well positioned ahead of the season-opener in Hockenheim.”
António Félix da Costa: “After this test we can go to Hockenheim in a confident mood. The team did a great job in setting the car up to Martin’s and my preferences, and I am very happy with the handling. Overall we have made further important progress over these three days. I am pretty optimistic that we are well prepared for the season opener.”
Augusto Farfus: “I think we did a good job at this test. It was good to have these three days to work on the car and all went smoothly. Also the weather was nice with sunshine on all three days. We made some good steps with the set-up here at Oschersleben. We can see that the field is very close together, but I think we are ready to start the season, and after the long winter I am now looking forward to Hockenheim.”
Tom Blomqvist: “I am pretty happy with how the test went. I am getting more and more comfortable in the BMW M4 DTM every time I drive the car. For sure, we have to wait and see in Hockenheim where we stand. But for me it is all about maximising my learning process as much as possible, and to know what I have to do at the race weekends to get up to speed as quickly as possible.”
Bruno Spengler: “We went through an intensive testing programme at Hockenheim and made good use of the three days and the nice conditions. We did some longer runs as race simulations, and most of all we fine-tuned the set-up of the car in order to get the maximum out of the potential of the BMW M4 DTM. We were well able to complete our programme and are now ready for the first race weekend of the season.”
Timo Glock: “The test went well and we were able to make good use of the track time. We were lucky with the weather, even if it was a bit windy on the second day. In general, I am happy with our preparations, but at the moment it is still difficult to judge where we stand. To find out we will have to wait until the first race weekend. But our car should be well prepared, and we think that we have every reason to head to Hockenheim with confidence.”
Great show in Nürnberg.
BMW Motorsport will put on a spectacular show on the 26th of April as it launches the programme for the 2015 season on the premises of the BMW Dealership Nürnberg.
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One week ahead of the opening DTM race of the season in Hockenheim, BMW Motorsport will use the event to present all eight BMW M4 DTMs and their drivers to the public. Each DTM driver will be on hand to unveil his own car for the season, including local favourite Marco Wittmann. It is set to be a genuine home outing for the reigning DTM champion, who was born and lives just a few kilometres away in Fürth. However, the DTM squad are not the only ones to be presented to the public in Nürnberg.
The same goes for renowned drivers from the rest of BMW Motorsport’s racing programme, including Dirk Werner and Lucas Luhr from the United SportsCar Championship (USCC), 2014 BMW Motorsport Junior Jesse Krohn, and BMW works driver and BMW brand ambassador Alessandro Zanardi.
The driving activities on the specially created track are bound to send a shiver down the spine of fans on site: as well as two BMW M4 DTM racing cars, the BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW M235i Racing will also complete a series of demo drives. With a bit of luck, visitors may even take to the track themselves: taxi rides in a BMW M3 GT2 or historic BMW M3 from the 1980s with one of the DTM stars can be won at the BMW Motorsport Car Launch. An autograph session with the BMW DTM drivers rounds off the exciting programme.
What to expect
13:00 – 13:30 Taxi rides BMW M3 GT2, BMW M3 E30
14:00 – 15:00 Presentation of the race cars
15:00 – 15:30 Autograph session
16:00 – 16:15 Driving event BMW M4 DTM
17:00 – 17:30 Taxi rides BMW M3 GT2, BMW M3 E30
Venue
BMW Niederlassung Nürnberg, Witschelstraße 60, 90431 Nürnberg
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Ready for battle.
Much will be new when BMW Motorsport kicks off the 2015 DTM season in Hockenheim this weekend.
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For the first time for 15 years, each event in the popular touring car series will feature two races – with the same number of points up for grabs in the races on Saturday (40 minutes) and Sunday (60 minutes). In total, 18 races await the BMW drivers and teams over the course of nine weekends.
Like last year, the 2015 grid will include eight BMW M4 DTMs (to the car special) fielded by the experienced BMW teams RMG, Schnitzer, RBM and MTEK. As defending champion, Marco Wittmann lines up in Saturday’s first race of the season with the coveted number 1 on his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. The BMW Team RMG driver will once again go in search of top results alongside Maxime Martin, Martin Tomczyk, António Félix da Costa, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock. New to the driver line-up is Tom Blomqvist who joins BMW Team RBM for his rookie DTM season (to the drivers' special).
As well as the race format, further changes have been made to the regulations: as of 2015 there will bejust one tyre compound. The two 20-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday and Sunday, and the races themselves, will be held on standard tyres. Each driver has four sets of dry tyres at their disposal. The number of opportunities to use the Drag Reduction System (DRS) has also been increased: the system may now be used three times per lap, provided a driver is less than one second behind the car in front when he crosses the start/finish line. At the push of a button, the driver may then lower the rear wing by 18 degrees, rather than the previous 16 degrees, in order to make overtaking easier (get all the information about the Hockenheimring here).
ARD will once again broadcast every DTM race live in 2015. Coverage of Saturday’s opening race in Hockenheim begins at 14:30. The countdown for the second race of the weekend begins at 13:20 on Sunday.
Learn more about the fascinating world of the DTM.
Spectacular show.
Smoking tyres, roaring engines, enthusiastic fans: At the BMW Dealership in Nürnberg, BMW Motorsport presented the motorsport programme for the 2015 season in an entertaining show.
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It was the first time that the annual BMW Motorsport Car Launch had been held in Nürnberg, home of reigning DTM Champion Marco Wittmann who lives just a few kilometres away in Fürth. Wittmann and his fellow BMW works drivers thrilled the fans with rides in the current BMW race cars BMW M4 DTM, BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW M235i Racing, with taxi rides in the historic BMW M3 and the BMW M3 GT2 as well as with several autograph sessions.
“The BMW Motorsport Car Launch ahead of the DTM season has become an extremely popular tradition for us and for the fans in particular. It’s a real highlight for us to visit the home of our DTM Champion this year,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “2015 will be another packed racing season for us – and once again BMW Motorsport will be represented in a variety of series. Naturally this includes the DTM, which we will contest as defending champions and will be the team everyone wants to beat. This also includes the races in the United SportsCar Championship in North America, as well as international GT racing classics such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring or the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. We will also continue our talent promotion and, as part of the BMW Sports Trophy, will continue to support privateer racing drivers and teams who will compete in races across the globe in 2015. It will definitely be an incredibly exciting year.”
One of the highlights of the BMW Motorsport Car Launch was the unveiling of all eight BMW M4 DTMs, with which Wittmann and his fellow BMW drivers Maxime Martin, Martin Tomczyk, António Félix da Costa, Augusto Farfus, Tom Blomqvist, Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock will contest the 2015 DTM season. A fan assisted each of the drivers in the unveiling of their cars. “I'm delighted that the BMW Motorsport Car Launch was on my doorstep this year,” said Wittmann. “It’s another reminder of our fantastic achievement alongside BMW Team RMG in 2014. When you look at the beaming faces of the fans, you’re happy that you get to give them a little something back with this kind of show as thanks for their support. Hopefully we will be able to delight them with more sporting successes. We will definitely be giving it our all.”
As well as the eight BMW DTM drivers, BMW works drivers Dirk Werner and Lucas Luhr, who compete for BMW in the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) and in endurance races in 2015, were also in Nürnberg. Last weekend Werner had claimed GTLM victory in the USCC race at Long Beach (US). BMW Motorsport Junior Victor Bouveng (SE), one of the four juniors in this year’s programme, presented himself to the fans.
Another major highlight was the appearance of BMW works driver and brand ambassador Alessandro Zanardi. Together with Spengler and Glock, he will contest the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps for the first time on 25th/26th July. The BMW Motorsport engineers have modified the BMW Z4 GT3 so that Zanardi, who lost both legs in a serious accident in 2001, can share the cockpit with fully-abled drivers. “The reception in Nürnberg was fantastic. Thanks again to BMW Motorsport for giving me the chance to contest a 24-hour race for the first time in my life,” said Zanardi. “It will be an exciting challenge and I’m sure that with my team-mates Timo and Bruno I will also get a good result.”
The BMW Motorsport Car Launch started the countdown to the opening of the 2015 DTM season. The first two races will be held in Hockenheim this coming weekend.
Ready for battle: BMW goes into the 2015 DTM season as titleholder in the Drivers’ and Team Championships.
27.04.2015
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Oschersleben (DE) 14th April 2015. BMW Motorsport, Marco Wittmann (DE) ICE Watch BMW M4 DTM.
Munich (DE), 27th April 2015. Much will be new when BMW Motorsport kicks off the 2015 DTM season in Hockenheim (DE) this weekend. For the first time for 15 years, each event in the popular touring car series will feature two races with the same number of points up for grabs on Saturday (40 minutes) and Sunday (60 minutes). In total, 18 races await the BMW drivers and teams over the course of nine weekends.
Like last year, the 2015 grid will include eight BMW M4 DTMs, fielded by the experienced BMW teams RMG, Schnitzer, RBM and MTEK. As defending champion, Marco Wittmann (DE) competes in Saturday’s first race of the season with the coveted number 1 on his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. The BMW Team RMG driver will once again go in search of top results alongside Maxime Martin (BE), Martin Tomczyk (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT), Augusto Farfus (BR), Bruno Spengler (CA) and Timo Glock (DE). New to the driver line-up is Tom Blomqvist (GB) who joins BMW Team RBM for his rookie DTM season.
As well as the race format, further changes have been made to the regulations: as of 2015 there will be just one tyre compound. The two 20-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday and Sunday, and the races themselves, will be held on standard tyres. Each driver has four sets of dry tyres at their disposal. The number of opportunities to use the Drag Reduction System (DRS) has also been increased: the system may now be used three times per lap, provided a driver is less than one second behind the car in front when he crosses the start/finish line. At the push of a button, the driver may then lower the rear wing by 18 degrees, rather than the previous 16 degrees, in order to make overtaking easier.
Quotes ahead of the first race weekend of 2015 in Hockenheim.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“We cannot wait for the start of the DTM season. We have worked very hard over the past few months to make our overall package of drivers, teams and the BMW M4 DTM even stronger for 2015. That is absolutely essential, as you can never afford to rest on your laurels in this fiercely-competitive series. We have won six of nine possible titles since our comeback in 2012. The goal is to add to our successful record this season. We have no fewer than 18 opportunities to do just that in 2015. It will be exciting for everyone involved – including the fans, of course – to see how the DTM weekend in Hockenheim pans out. The new two-race format promises even more action. Our drivers and teams can hardly wait for the first showdown on this iconic circuit.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“After the great year we had in 2014, we are obviously highly motivated for the new DTM season. I am very much looking forward to the new race format, which will produce a lot of action for the fans. It will definitely be interesting for us teams too. We are well prepared and go into the new season full of positive energy.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“There is huge excitement about the new season. That goes for everyone in the team and, obviously, for our drivers. Martin Tomczyk brings a wealth of experience and consistency to our team. He has been around a long time, and nothing the DTM throws up can surprise him anymore. We are joined this year by António Félix da Costa, who slotted into the team very well during the pre-season preparations. We are very optimistic and looking forward to the new DTM season.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“The weekends will be pretty packed this year, and all the teams are entering uncharted waters with the new format. It will undoubtedly be awesome for the fans. We worked flat-out during the pre-season preparations – and will do the same in Hockenheim. I am very excited to see what the first race weekend will have in store for us.”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“There is always great excitement ahead of the start of a new season. You obviously look forward to getting back onto the track under competitive conditions. And the new format of the weekends poses a new challenge for our team and drivers. We are delighted to get going again. The preparation may have been a bit short, but everything went well.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 1, BMW Team RMG):
“There is obviously a lot of anticipation ahead of Hockenheim, as it has been a long winter break. On the whole, the tests have been positive and I think we have had a good preparation. We obviously now want to convert this into good results on the opening race weekend. Despite this, you can never be 100 per cent sure how you compare to the opposition until the first race. The season-opener will definitely be a spectacle for the fans. And it goes without saying that I would love to follow on from last season’s success in Hockenheim, given the opportunity.”
Maxime Martin (car number 36, BMW Team RMG):
“I am really looking forward to the first weekend with the new DTM format. After a long break, it is always fantastic when the season gets underway again. Nobody knows exactly what will happen in Hockenheim. That obviously makes the first weekend incredibly exciting. We had good tests and are now ready to take on the opposition.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 77, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“It is a great feeling to be starting a new season again – as it is every year. And it is always nice to come to the Hockenheimring for the first weekend. Everyone is excited to find out what the balance of power is and what effect the new race format will have. There are a number of new features, and I hope these establish themselves well and that the spectators enjoy the racing action.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 13, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“It has been a really long break since the last race in Hockenheim back in 2014. This is the start of another new chapter for me. BMW Team Schnitzer is my new team – and I am optimistic we will work fantastically together. It is very difficult to make any predictions, but I will be doing my very best.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 18, BMW Team RBM):
“The winter break in the DTM was a really long one. For this reason, I am really looking forward to finally getting back down to business. We have a new format, with two races per weekend. That is not only great for the fans, but also for us drivers. Hockenheim is a track I really like. Therefore, I can hardly wait to compete there, see all the people, and get back into the racing mode.”
Tom Blomqvist (car number 31, BMW Team RBM):
“I have fond memories of Hockenheim. To that end, I am obviously determined to do well here on my first DTM race weekend too. Hockenheim is fantastic, with a lot of fans and a great atmosphere. I gained a lot of new experience during pre-season preparations, and my team has welcomed me into the fold superbly. And I will learn a lot on my first race weekend. I am really looking forward to it.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team MTEK):
“We are finally back racing. I am already feeling a little more nervous. You really look forward to the atmosphere in Hockenheim, the fans and the action. The butterflies in your stomach, which you missed so much during the winter, are back. I am very motivated. Every year the opening race in Hockenheim feels as though it were my very first race in the DTM.”
Timo Glock (car number 16, BMW Team MTEK):
“We have an exciting season ahead of us, with far more races – and we are all looking forward to it. It is always difficult to judge how good the opposition is. However, they are making a good impression, as usual. Therefore, it will certainly be an exciting season, in which the races will be very, very close.”
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Hockenheimring Statistics.
Length: 4.574 km
2014 winner: Marco Wittmann, BMW (Hockenheim I)
Mattias Ekström, Audi (Hockenheim II)
2014 pole: 1:32.272 minutes (Adrien Tambay, Audi, Hockenheim I)
1:33.316 minutes (Miguel Molina, Audi, Hockenheim II)
Top BMW in 2014: Marco Wittmann, 1st (Hockenheim I)
Marco Wittmann, 5th (Hockenheim II)
DTM debut: 1984
BMW wins: 14
BMW pole positions: 6
BMW fastest laps: 17
BMW podiums: 34
BMW Motorsport Media Schedule.
Saturday, 2nd May
17:10-17:30
Round table interview with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt
BMW Hospitality
17:40-18:10
Interviews with the BMW DTM drivers and team principals
BMW Hospitality
Sunday, 3rd May
17:10-17:40
Interviews with the BMW DTM drivers, team principals and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt
BMW Hospitality
2015 DTM Calendar.
1st-3rd May – Hockenheim (DE), 29th-31st May – Lausitzring (DE), 26th-28th June – Norisring (DE), 10th-12th July – Zandvoort (NL), 31st July-2nd August – Spielberg (AT), 28th-30th August – Moscow (RU), 11th-13th September – Oschersleben (DE), 25th-27th September – Nürburgring (DE), 16th-18th October – Hockenheim (DE).
BMW Motorsport online.
Website: www.bmw-motorsport.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bmwmotorsport
YouTube: www.youtube.com/bmwmotorsport
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bmwmotorsport
Google+: www.plus.google.com/+bmwmotorsport
About the DTM.
The German Touring Car Masters – DTM for short – is the most popular touring car series in the world. The series sees the three premium automobile manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz go head to head on the racetrack. BMW was first involved in the DTM with a works team between 1984 and 1992, during which time it won 49 races and three Drivers’ Championships (1984, 1987 and 1989). The manufacturer returned to the DTM in 2012 with the BMW M3 DTM, three teams and six drivers, winning five races and topping the Drivers’, Team and Manufacturers’ Championships at the first attempt. In 2013, BMW successfully defended its title in the Manufacturers’ Championship with four teams and eight drivers. Last season BMW Motorsport lined up with the new BMW M4 DTM for the first time. By the end of the ten-race season, the Bavarian manufacturer had five race wins, eleven podiums, four pole positions and four fastest laps to its name, while Marco Wittmann became the youngest German DTM champion ever. Wittmann’s BMW Team RMG was victorious in the Team competition.
18 races spread over nine weekends await the teams and drivers in 2015. For the first time since the 2000 season, each event consists of two races, each with the same points format. The season kicks off on 2nd/3rd May with two races in Hockenheim. This is followed by a further four rounds in Germany – at the Lausitzring, Norisring, Nürburgring and in Oschersleben – before the series returns to Hockenheim for the season finale on 17th/18th October. Zandvoort, Spielberg and Moscow host the three international rounds of the DTM. The ARD is broadcasting every race live. Tickets to all DTM races are available here: https://tickets.bmw-motorsport.com/index.html
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Racing technology right from the 3D printer: BMW makes water pump wheel for DTM racecars using additive production method.
29.04.2015
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Water pump wheel made on a 3D printer for German Touring Car Masters (DTM) and Z4 GT3 (04/2015)
Already 500 water pump wheels in DTM and Z4 GT3 in use.
Munich. The current season of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) starts with a small anniversary for BMW: One of the powertrains is fitted with the 500th water pump wheel made on a 3D printer. The high-precision component, which is subject to high stresses, consists of an aluminum alloy and has previously proven its worth in the tough environment of motorsports: Without exception, all pump gear works flawlessly, confirming BMW’s leading role when it comes to additive production methods.
In a race, the high-performance powertrains run up to 70 percent of the time under full load; in addition, the moving parts in particular have to handle extreme conditions. This is why, back in 2010, the BMW engineering team developed a one-piece, light-metal water pump wheel to replace the previously applied series plastic part. Based on BMW’s long-standing experience in additive production methods, which are becoming more well known under the collective term of ‘3D printing’, the engineers decided from the outset to apply the SLM (selective laser melting) procedure in the production of the small series. In this laser-fusing procedure, the component is created in a generative layering process: The 3D printer applies 0.05-millimeter thin layers of the metal powder coat to a processing plate. A laser beam then fuses the powder at the desired spots under an inert atmosphere to form a durable aluminum layer. This is how, layer by layer, the three-dimensional component takes shape. Compared to 3D print methods in the consumer industries, which use plastic filaments, the additive production of metal parts requires considerably greater expertise in process engineering.
3D printing as a production method has turned out to be the ideal procedure for the small batch. Firstly, it allows for the inclusion of design refinements in the six-bladed centrifugal pump wheel, whose implementation would require much greater effort with other production methods. With the new method, it was possible to achieve ideal aerodynamics of the component for the DTM race series. Secondly, no complex tools or molds are needed, which makes the demand-oriented production more cost-effective. On top of that, 3D printing ensures the dimensional accuracy of the water pump wheel over the entire production time. BMW applies the homologated high-precision part both in the DTM racecars and in the Z4 GT3 customer vehicles.
BMW Group – A pioneer in generative production methods.
The BMW Group has applied additive production procedures in concept prototyping since 1991 and has developed the process further ever since. Depending on the specific requirements, the BMW Group uses different procedures. The Rapid Technologies Center at the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Center (FIZ) in Munich works on close to 25,000 prototype requests annually, producing close to 100,000 components a year for in-house customers. Depending on the procedure and the size of the component, sample parts might be available within only a few days. They are applied, for instance, in vehicle development, at BMW Motorrad, and in motorsports.
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DTM 2015 - LET THE SHOW BEGIN
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The waiting is over: with the ‘DTM-Festival’ at the Hockenheimring, the most popular international touring-car series kicks off its new season. From 30th April to 03rd May, the motor-racing enthusiasts that made the trip to the tradition-rich motor-sport venue located in Baden-Württemberg will be provided a truly outstanding four-day motor-racing event. In addition to the new two-race DTM format, the visitors also may look forward to a lot of additional action and activities on and aloof from the track.
DTM has been subjected to a major revamp: in the run-up to the season kick-off of the hard-fought series, the doubled number of races and new regulations promise to make for clearly more excitement, this year. A 40-minute race on Saturday will be added to the one-hour race on Sunday and while a pit stop for a set of tyres is obligatory on Sunday, the drivers may complete the Saturday round on one set of tyres. In addition, the DRS regulations also were revised to allow for more overtaking manoeuvres: with immediate effect, the drivers may tilt their rear wings down for achieving a higher top speed three times per lap.
Only those who succeed in coping well with all the innovations will have the chance of winning the 2015 title. One of the favourites definitely is defending champion Marco Wittmann who underlined his title ambitions with competitive performances in the pre-season tests. In 2014, the German proved to be the benchmark on the DTM grid. After all, he did not only secure the drivers’ championship but also prevailed – together with his BMW Team RMG – in the battle for the team title.
Nonetheless, the Audi and Mercedes-Benz camps also are in great shape – and they are determined to strike back, this year. Audi ace Mattias Ekström wonders what will happen in the season kick-off at Hockenheim: “It will be crunch-time both on Saturday and Sunday,” said the 2014 vice-champion. “And the fans will witness even more tough battles than in the past.” Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes-Benz) is determined to also become a factor in the fight for the podium positions. The 20-year old German who secured his maiden DTM win at the Lausitzring, last year, is one of the DTM high flyers.
The first race weekend of the season features a support programme packed with highlights: the stadium will be the venue of a World Rallycross Championship round, held on a circuit specially built for this event. Furthermore, the fans may look forward to the enthralling races of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and the all new Audi Sport TT Cup. Aloof from the track, popular artists, such as Mark Forster, are going to entertain the crowds. The musician from Berlin who recently attracted international attention with his song ‘Au Revoir’ is the star of the ‘ARD Chartshow’. And, in the evenings, during the ‘ElchParties’ in the paddock, organised by radio station SWR3, the DJ-Duo Moonbootica and Mousse T. will make the fans dance the night away.
ARD, DTM’s German TV partner, will cover the first two DTM rounds of the season on Saturday, 02nd May, from 14:30hrs CEST (13:30hrs BST) and on Sunday, 03rd May, from 13:20hrs CEST. While the qualifying session will be streamed live bysportschau.de and DTM.com. Furthermore, live ticker, live timing and live onboard cameras in the cars will provide the fans with additional interesting information on the race action at the Hockenheimring.
The ‘DTM-Festival’ at Hockenheim will begin on Thursday, 30th April. Please find the schedule and everything worth knowing about the four-day event by clicking the following link. Tickets also can be purchased at www.DTM.com/Tickets - to then be comfortably printed out at home – or at the Hockenheimring box offices.
DTM REMAINS COMMITTED TO BOSCH TECHNOLOGY
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The Bosch name has been closely associated with the new DTM German Touring Car Masters series since it began in 2000 – and the connection will now continue for another three years. Bosch and the DTM are extending their successful partnership through 2017; Bosch recently signed the relevant contract with ITR e.V., the organizer of the racing series. Bosch is far more than just a name on the racing cars’ windshields, however. DTM vehicles operate with highly complex Bosch racing technology on board, including ECUs and displays from the technology supplier. “Our automotive technology is not only at home on the streets: it’s just as successful on the track under the extreme conditions of motor racing,” says Clemens K. Krebs, head of marketing communications in the Mobility Solutions business sector at Bosch.
Bosch’s collaboration with the DTM has always focused on innovative technology, performance, and reliability in racing cars – giving spectators thrilling motor racing at its finest. Bosch supplies the ECU, display, starter, generator, wiring harness, and many more components – and there are decades of motor racing experience behind each one. “DTM races present exceptionally demanding conditions – vibrations, temperature swings, and extreme acceleration and braking – and these give our products the chance to prove how robust and reliable they are,” says Krebs. “We want more than just our name in bold letters on the windshield: we want to see the cars successfully implementing Bosch technology.”
Attractive and emotive advertising environment
Along with reliable technology, DTM is all about beefy V8 sound, thrilling battles for positions and cheering crowds all the way to the finish line: it’s pure emotion. “In this exciting and emotional environment, our partnership with the DTM is an investment in brand presence and brand appeal,” explains Krebs. Starting in the 2015 season, the DTM will be adopting a new racing format with two full championship races each weekend to offer spectators still more motor racing. “And, since we supply and contribute to the entire series and not just one manufacturer, the best part is we always win,” says Krebs.
Long motor racing tradition
Bosch’s involvement in motor racing has a long tradition. The first race victories with Bosch technology on board came back in 1901 and 1903 – and Bosch has been using racing success for promotional activities ever since. At the start of the last century, the Belgian Camille Jenatzy piloted his Mercedes racer with Bosch magneto ignition from one triumph to the next. With his shock of red hair and fiery red racing overcoat, Jenatzy was the inspiration for the stylized figure Bosch used in advertising at the time, “The Red Devil.”
The motor racing tradition holds at Bosch even today. Bosch Motorsport has more than 120 associates worldwide, and since 2003 it has been part of Bosch Engineering GmbH, a subsidiary specializing in engineering services. Bosch Motorsport engineers equip teams running in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, and numerous rallies and long-distance championships – including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans event and of course the ultimate formula racing series – with race-tested technology made by Bosch.
Wittmann fourth in first practice of DTM season.
The 2014 DTM champion was once again the fastest BMW driver in the opening practice session of the new season. Marco Wittmann was fourth fastest in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM on a wet Hockenheim track.
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The BMW Team RMG driver clocked a fastest time of 1:50.499 minutes – about 0.3 seconds off the pace set by Edoardo Mortara.
Timo Glock was sixth fastest in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM. In difficult conditions, the remaining BMW drivers failed to set times in the top ten. Bruno Spengler was 17th in his first outing for BMW Team MTEK, while Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin, Martin Tomczyk, Tom Blomqvist and António Félix da Costa were 19th to 23rd.
The second practice session takes place on Saturday morning, followed by the first qualifying and race one. Sunday features a warm-up, the second qualifying session and race two.
Four BMW M4 DTMs in the points.
The 2015 DTM is up and running: BMW drivers Maxime Martin, Timo Glock, Marco Wittmann and Augusto Farfus ended the first of two races in Hockenheim in the top ten to score their first DTM points of the year.
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Martin finished seventh in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, making him the best-placed BMW driver. Farfus worked his way from 23rd on the grid to complete the race in tenth place. Sandwiched between Martin and Farfus were Glock and DTM champion Wittmann in eighth and ninth. Victory went to Jamie Green in an Audi.
Reactions to the opening race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After a tough qualifying, we made the most of our situation in the race. We had a decent race pace and finished with four cars in the top ten to pick up a few points at least. An exciting race saw fantastic fightbacks from Maxime Martin, Timo Glock, Marco Wittmann and Augusto Farfus. Augusto made up 13 positions after his misfortune in qualifying, while Timo climbed from 20th to eighth. The format produced exactly what it promised: an intense qualifying and an exciting race with plenty of overtaking manoeuvres and a lot of fans. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s race day, we must learn from today’s qualifying, in particular, and analyse what happened very carefully. In this regard, we must make better use of the existing potential, in order to be better positioned going into the race.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RBM, 7th): “The race was very intense from the first corner to the last. The safety car phases made for a lot of action, and the fans will undoubtedly have enjoyed a great show. Seventh place is a good result for us, and earns us some valuable points. It is also a nice feeling to be the best-placed BMW driver. However, our opponents were better than us today. We have to acknowledge that. We will work hard to change that for the coming races.”
Facts and figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Hockenheimring, 4.574 kilometres, 40 minutes plus one lap
Conditions:
Slightly overcast, 18 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 7th
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 8th
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 9th
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 10th
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 11th
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM –13th
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – DNF
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Information:
Augusto Farfus made up 13 positions from 23rd on the grid. Timo Glock’s fightback from 20th to eighth was equally impressive.
Maxime Martin was the best-placed BMW driver for the first time since his victory in Moscow in 2014.
The BMW M4 Coupé DTM Safety Car was in action twice during the race following crashes.
Tom Blomqvist and Martin Tomczyk were forced to retire from the race following collisions.
Reactions to the opening race of the season.
Read here what the BMW DTM drivers and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt had to say after the first action of the new season.
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Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After a tough qualifying, we made the most of our situation in the race. We had a decent race pace and finished with four cars in the top ten to pick up a few points. An exciting race saw fantastic fightbacks from Maxime Martin, Timo Glock, Marco Wittmann and Augusto Farfus. Augusto made up 13 positions after his misfortune in qualifying, while Timo climbed from 20th to eighth. The format produced exactly what it promised: an intense qualifying and an exciting race with plenty of overtaking manoeuvres and a lot of fans. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s race day, we must learn from today’s qualifying, in particular, and analyse what happened very carefully. In this regard, we must make better use of the existing potential, in order to be better positioned going into the race.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 7th): “The race was very intense from the first corner to the last. The safety car periods made for a lot of action, and the fans will undoubtedly have enjoyed a great show. Seventh place is a good result for us, and earns us some valuable points. It is also a nice feeling to be the best-placed BMW driver. However, our opponents were better than us today. We have to acknowledge that. We will work hard to change that for the coming races.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 8th): “I think one or two people have yet to grasp that we have another race to drive tomorrow. What I witnessed out there was a crazy mess at times. I am ultimately happy with my result. Prior to the race, we said it would be a dream to score a point from that grid position. And here we are after finishing eighth. After such a poor qualifying, we could hardly have recovered better.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 9th): “I was really flying on the first lap. That was great fun. I took a certain degree of risk and managed to work my way into seventh place. At first I was able to match the pace of the cars ahead of me pretty well. Then I fell away a bit. After the re-start I was involved in a collision with Mattias Ekström, who forced me off the track. That put me behind Maxime Martin. We were eventually able to rescue two points in ninth place.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 10th): “I think we had a good race. The car was outstanding, and we tried to get the most out of it. Twenty third on the grid was obviously not the starting position we had hoped for, but I never gave up. I had really good pace during the race, which is a good sign for tomorrow.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 11th): “It was going well at first, but then I collided with Miguel Molina in the hairpin. After that I was hampered by the damage to my car’s aerodynamics. From then on it was just a case of trying to hang on in there and stay with the pace. Despite that, the car was still really good to drive. I climbed from 17th on the grid to finish 11th. That is okay, but it doesn’t score me any points. We must focus on tomorrow now.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 13th): “I had a very good first lap and was the second best BMW behind Marco Wittmann. However, I was then hit by Miguel Molina and spun off the track. That dropped me to the back of the field. I was able to make up a few positions after that. Mattias Ekström had fresh tyres at the end, so it was impossible to keep him behind me.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, DNF): “After the safety car period, my brakes were not yet perfect. I was in the slipstream of Lucas Auer and wanted to out-brake him. I was a bit later on the brakes and the rear axle locked immediately. After that I could only go straight ahead. I had no chance to rescue the situation. Up until then it had not been a bad race. I tried to keep out of all the skirmishes at the start, and managed that really well. I am obviously sorry that it came to that kind of incident, but that is ultimately part and parcel of motor racing.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, DNF): “I immediately found myself in the middle of the battles. When we reached the second corner I was hit from behind, then someone drove into me from the left. The damage to both places was just too great. It is very disappointing, but the car was too seriously damaged to be able to continue the race. I am obviously disappointed. My start was simply not good enough.”
DTM champion Wittmann starts race two of the season from third on the grid.
Marco Wittmann of BMW Team RMG was the best-placed BMW driver in the second qualifying session in Hockenheim.
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On a drying track, the reigning DTM champion qualified third in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM, with a personal best of 1:34.968 minutes.
Martin Tomczyk, António Félix da Costa and Maxime Martin line up in sixth, seventh and ninth positions. Augusto Farfus and Tom Blomqvist are relegated five grid positions due to a breach of the rules during the warm-up. They will start race two of the weekend from 18th and 24th. The second pole position of the season went to Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller with a fastest lap of 1:34.516 minutes.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver:
“I said after yesterday’s disappointing opening race that today would be a new day with a new chance to attack. I did a very good job of proving that in qualifying. We are now very well placed for the race. We will have to wait and see what the weather does. It is forecast to rain. Whatever happens, we will do our best to get the maximum out of the race.” – Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 3rd)
Facts and figures.
Circuit/length:
Hockenheimring, 4.574 kilometres
Conditions:
Very overcast, 14 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Mike Rockenfeller (Audi), 1:34.516 minutes
BMW Motorsport starting positions:
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
1:34.968 minutes – 3rd
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
1:35.112 minutes – 6th
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
1:35.113 minutes – 7th
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
1:35.304 minutes – 9th
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
1:35.514 minutes – 14th
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
1:35.557 minutes – 16th
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
1:35.446 minutes – 18th
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
1:36.101 minutes – 24th
Information:
Both BMW Team RBM drivers, Augusto Farfus and Tom Blomqvist, were relegated five grid positions for breaching a rule during the warm-up.
The last time Martin Tomczyk qualified higher than sixth place was at the Nürburgring in 2012, when he qualified fifth.
Seventh place was António Félix da Costa’s best qualifying result since the Hungaroring in 2012, where he qualified fifth.
The second of this year’s 18 DTM races begins at 13:40.
Tomczyk top BMW in the Hockenheim rain.
Martin Tomczyk came home fourth in the second race of the 2015 DTM season in Hockenheim, making him the best-placed BMW driver. The 2011 DTM champion produced a flawless display in the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM, first in dry conditions and then in the rain, and narrowly missed out on the podium.
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The rain started to fall a third of the way into the 60-minute race and resulted in plenty of action on the wet track. Reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann finished fifth in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. BMW Team MTEK team-mates Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock also picked up valuable points in ninth and tenth. Victory in Sunday’s race went to Audi’s Mattias Ekström.
Reactions to the second race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was an exciting race today, in really difficult conditions. The fans were treated to spectacular manoeuvres every minute throughout the entire race. We made good use of our options today. Martin Tomczyk, in particular, drove a flawless race and fully deserved to be the top BMW driver in fourth place.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, 4th): “That was one of my most exhausting races. I had a few problems with the tyre pressure in the rain. That is why I was unable to hang on to a podium position and had to let Gary Paffett through. We had a good, fair fight. Congratulations to him and the winner Mattias Ekström. They were simply faster than me today. Despite that, I am very happy with fourth place.”
Facts and figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Hockenheimring, 4.574 kilometres, 60 minutes plus one lap
Conditions:
Rain, 20 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 4th
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 5th
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 9th
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 10th
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 14th
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – 17th
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 20th
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 21st
Information:
Martin Tomczyk was the best-placed BMW driver in the field for the first time since the 2012 race at the Norisring.
Bruno Spengler scored his first points for BMW Team MTEK.
Maxime Martin was given a drive-through penalty for “unsafe release” during the pit stop.
Four BMW M4 DTMs finished in the points in both races in Hockenheim.
Reactions to the first weekend of the season.
Read here what the BMW drivers and BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt had to say after Sunday’s race.
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As on Saturday, four BMW M4 DTMs finished in the top ten in race two of the DTM season. On a wet track, Martin Tomczyk just missed out on a place on the podium, coming home in fourth. He was followed over the finish line by DTM champion Marco Wittmann in fifth. Race one had previously seen BMW drivers finish seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth. With 12 points to their names, Wittmann and Tomczyk were the most successful BMW drivers of the opening weekend.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was an exciting race, in really difficult conditions. The fans were treated to spectacular manoeuvres every minute throughout the entire race. We made good use of our options today. Martin Tomczyk, in particular, drove a flawless race and fully deserved to be the top BMW driver in fourth place. Once again, four of our drivers made it into the top ten. To sum up the weekend, we must focus more on our performance in qualifying. We were not good enough in that regard on Saturday. It was better on Sunday. We will work on that. The new format is a positive. I hope the spectators enjoyed it as much as we did.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sunday: 4th, Saturday: DNF):
“It was a mixed race weekend for me personally. I had obviously hoped for more from the first race. We were not where we needed to be in qualifying. The second race had a bit of everything: dry conditions, rain, but above all a good grid position. And that paid off in the end, despite it being a difficult race. Unfortunately fourth was as good as I could hope for today. It was quite a tough race for me, but it was also great fun.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 5th, Sat.: 9th):
“I think we got as much as possible out of the first two races of the season. I finished in the points on Saturday and Sunday. We were just lacking a bit of pace in the dry in both races. At the moment, the opposition is simply quicker than us. Generally speaking, Sunday’s race was obviously much better for me. Having started from third, I actually led for a brief moment after a great lap. Unfortunately our tyre pressures were a little too low in the wet when the rain set in. At this point we were unable to match the speed of the cars in front. It goes without saying that we had hoped for more than this from the opening weekend. However, we are confident ahead of the next races at the Lausitzring.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 9th, Sat.: 11th):
“The new race format in the DTM is superb. Two lots of qualifying and two races – that is fun, particularly for the fans. The atmosphere at the Hockenheimring was awesome again. I did not have a great result in Saturday’s race. However, I was able to score valuable points on Sunday. Today’s race was a hard battle. I got off to a great start and made up a few places. Our pit stop also came at exactly the right moment. Compliments to the team. We had a great strategy, which got me up to sixth. Unfortunately the car was not so good in the rain. I had hardly any grip. However, I did have some really good, fair battles and came home ninth. We now move on to the Lausitzring, a circuit I have particularly fond memories of.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 10th, Sat.: 8th):
“We have a problem with qualifying. However, I had very good pace in both races and was able to make up a lot of places. Given my grid positions, coming away with points from both races is very positive. We did a very good job as a team. Our task for the coming weeks is to improve our qualifying performance.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 14th, Sat.: 7th):
“That wasn’t actually such a bad weekend for me. On Saturday I was the best-placed BMW driver in seventh. Today I started from eighth, so I was actually right in the thick of it. Unfortunately I did not make such a great start. My car was hit a few times and sustained damage. That made it difficult to keep pace with the others in the dry. Unfortunately I then picked up a drive-through penalty after my pit stop. My race was as good as over after that, but that is racing. The overall result was not ideal, but I am confident going into the next two races at the Lausitzring.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 17th, Sat.: DNF):
“That was not an easy weekend. This was the first time I have driven a DTM car in wet conditions, and it was tough. However, my pace in the dry was actually really good all weekend. Unfortunately I did not make a good start in race one. As a result, I found myself stuck in all the turmoil on the opening lap and had to retire after a number of contacts. The second race started really well, but we were not able to match the pace of the others in the rain and I had a few problems. I also lost time in the pit stop when Maxime was released unsafely. Despite this, I am optimistic, as we were quick – particularly in dry conditions. However, we still have some work ahead of us.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun.: 20th, Sat.: 13th):
“In my opinion, the new DTM format, with two qualifying sessions and two races, is a success. Even if you don’t do so well on Saturday, you can really make amends on Sunday. Despite this, I am disappointed with the way I started the new season. Sunday, in particular, was not particularly good in the rain. We made the most of the situation in qualifying. I started the race from seventh on the grid and tried to stay in touch with the leading group. However, I lost quite a lot of time in the rain. We just didn’t have any pace in the wet. We will have to improve that, as there are sure to be a few more wet races this season. I am still learning a lot, and becoming a better DTM driver with every race. We will have to analyse both races to ensure we are stronger at the Lausitzring.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 21st, Sat.: 10th):
“It was not our weekend. Our result definitely does not reflect our speed. We had a very good car all weekend. That showed in the fact I qualified third yesterday. We had good pace again in this morning’s qualifying, and I was really quick in the wet. However, we were unable to maintain that pace. We must now analyse why we had difficulties in the rain. The season is still a long one: we have another 16 races ahead of us and a lot can happen. However, we must put our foot down and make up ground on the leaders. I like the new format. We had two races full of action, and I think the fans will have enjoyed it too.”
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Charly Lamm turns 60.
Charly Lamm seemed destined to follow his older half-brothers Josef and Herbert Schnitzer into motorsport.
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BMW and Schnitzer Motorsport have enjoyed a successful partnership on the racetrack since the 1960s. However, the man who now leads BMW Team Schnitzer in the DTM then went his own way. Driven by passion, meticulousness and a desire to discover the world. Today Charly Lamm celebrates his 60th birthday.
Mr Lamm, we could start by asking you for your best memories. We are not going to, however. Instead, we would like to know when you might have regretted getting involved in motorsport?
Charly Lamm: “I don’t regret a single second of what I have experienced in motor racing. Not at all. However, there have obviously been some moments I would have preferred to be a bit different. When I was 14, I was employed by the team to do all the cleaning jobs. Preparing the magnesium racing wheels, in particular, was an incredibly tedious task. My school friends were out playing football, while I was in the garage. As a teenager, that is definitely enough to put you in a bit of a sulk. However, it was only ever for a short time.”
Later on, motorsport took you all over the world...
Lamm: “Exactly, and that is when the fantastic side of this job begins. Our home town of Freilassing is a quiet place. However, it soon became clear to me that our racing team would offer me the opportunity to get out, discover new places and broaden my horizon. This prospect really excited me, and has dominated the pace of my life ever since my youth. When we were racing in America or Asia later on, I often spent another week with my rucksack on my back, doing a bit of travelling. I was very lucky in that sense.”
So, motorsport is about more than just a desire to stand on the top step of the podium?
Lamm: “The drive and desire to win is always there, and is a very central impetus. That goes for the mechanics, engineers and me as team manager. However, I have always tried to look at the bigger picture. Maybe that is because I did not initially do my learning as a technician, but was able to bring other strengths into the equation. I could use my knowledge of languages at the racetrack, my ability with figures as a timekeeper, or my organisational talent. Only over the course of the years did I pick up elements of engineering and take on responsibility. It was the other way round for my twin brother Dieter: right from the outset he was more interested in the manual and technical side of things. We always shared the immense joy of winning a race.”
When did you get your first win as team boss?
Lamm: “1976 in the World Sportscar Championship with the BMW 3.5 CSL Coupé. Josef and Herbert were busy with Formula 2 and the DRM, so I took sole responsibility for the first time at our race in Spielberg. There was a crash in the first practice session, after which the team rebuilt our BMW Coupé in two nights – Dieter Quester and Gunnar Nilsson claimed the victory. It was an incredible experience. I knew straight away: I wanted to experience that feeling again and again.”
Despite all the stresses and strains of motorsport in your early years, you were a very good student and successfully completed your studies as an industrial engineer. Are you an intellectual?
Lamm: “No, certainly not. However, I have always approached things in my life with either my head or my heart. You obviously need to use your head in school, at university and on the pit wall. However, you also always need a big portion of heart in motorsport. This mixture is what I really like about my job.”
Can you give us an example of when you have to use your heart?
Lamm: “The way I deal with the drivers. There are some who say that I attach too much importance to understanding them better and getting to know their special needs in the cockpit and their mentality. However, I still stand by this approach today, even in the world of data analysis and simulation. As a team, we prepare a car that has to be competitive. The driver is then the deciding factor in achieving success with that car. That is why this relationship has always been, and remains, particularly important to me.”
And here comes that question: what is your best motorsport memory?
Lamm: “There are an awful lot of highlights. Victory in Le Mans with the BMW V12 LMR, the wins at the 24-hour classics at the Nürburgring and in Spa-Francorchamps with BMW and, of course, our DTM titles in 1989 and 2012. Then there have also been a lot of successes in individual races, which have also made me very proud. However, my first trip to the touring car race in Macau was certainly particularly special. I flew to Hong Kong in a cargo plane with the racing cars in 1980. Then we won the race with Hans-Joachim Stuck and the BMW 320 Group 5. That was simply incredible. Afterwards, my now wife and I travelled from Macau to the Philippines to explore the country.”
Because there is sometimes more to life than winning...
Lamm: “Exactly.”
The action goes on.
This weekend sees BMW Motorsport compete with its rivals on the Lausitzring for the second time this year.
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BMW has a special connection with the track 130 kilometres south of Berlin (DE): Marco Wittmann made history last season when, before the end of the season, he finished sixth in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM to become the youngest ever German champion. It was also here that Bruno Spengler celebrated the 50th BMW win in the DTM and the first win since its DTM comeback in 2012.
The DTM visits the Lausitzring for the 16th time. The spectators literally sit in the front row at this track: From the imposing stand near the start-finish straight, you can almost see the entire track. The DTM competes on the 3.478-kilometre loop that is made up of sections of the tri-oval and the circuit.
Like last season, the International German Motorcycle Championship SUPERBIKE*IDM will be part of the supporting programme for the DTM. Numerous BMW riders will line up on the starting grid on the BMW S 1000 RR, including the 2013 champion and current overall leader, Markus Reiterberger.
Four BMW DTM drivers were back in action last weekend: Maxime Martin competed alongside Lucas Luhur, Markus Palttala and Richard Westbrook at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE), where he finished runner-up. Augusto Farfus was also driving for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, and secured pole position in the team’s second BMW Z4 GT3. He and fellow drivers Jörg Müller, Nick Catsburg and Dirk Adorf went on to finish fourth in the race. In contrast, the endurance classic came to a premature end for Wittmann and Martin Tomczyk, whose cars were forced to retire after crashes involving their team-mates.
The 2015 DTM season enters the next round for BMW Motorsport at the Lausitzring.
26.05.2015
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Hockenheim (DE) 02th Mai 2015. BMW Motorsport, Race 1, Marco Wittmann (DE) Ice- Watch BMW M4 DTM, Augusto Farfus (BR) Shell BMW ...
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Munich (DE), 26th May 2015. It has started: With an action-packed race weekend and two gripping races, the DTM kicked off the 2015 season at the Hockenheimring (DE) at the beginning of May. This weekend sees BMW Motorsport compete with its rivals on the Lausitzring (DE) for the second time this year.
BMW has a special connection with the track 130 kilometres south of Berlin (DE): Marco Wittmann (DE) made history last season when, before the end of the season, he finished sixth in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM to become the youngest ever German champion. It was also here that Bruno Spengler (CA) celebrated the 50th BMW win in the DTM and the first win since its DTM comeback in 2012.
The DTM visits the Lausitzring for the 16th time. The spectators literally sit in the front row at this track: From the imposing stand near the start-finish straight, you can almost see the entire track. The DTM competes on the 3.478-kilometre loop that is made up of sections of the tri-oval and the circuit.
Like last season, the International German Motorcycle Championship SUPERBIKE*IDM will be part of the supporting programme for the DTM. Numerous BMW riders will line up on the starting grid on the BMW S 1000 RR, including the 2013 champion and current overall leader, Markus Reiterberger (DE).
Four BMW DTM drivers were back in action on 16th and 17th May: Maxime Martin (BE) competed alongside Lucas Luhur (DE), Markus Palttala (FI) and Richard Westbrook (GB) at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE), where he finished runner-up. Augusto Farfus (BR) was also driving for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, and secured pole position in the team’s second BMW Z4 GT3. He and fellow drivers Jörg Müller (DE), Nick Catsburg (NL) and Dirk Adorf (DE) went on to finish fourth in the race. In contrast, the endurance classic came to a premature end for Wittmann and Martin Tomczyk (DE), whose cars were forced to retire after crashes involving their team-mates.
Quotes ahead of the second race weekend of 2015 at the Lausitzring.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Naturally we have a few great memories of the DTM at the Lausitzring: Bruno Spengler got the win in only the second race after our return to the series – celebrating BMW’s 50th DTM victory. In 2014, sixth place was enough for Marco Wittmann to clinch the DTM title. However, this track is also particularly demanding. Our rivals delivered a strong performance in Hockenheim, so we are by no means expecting the races to be easy. Nevertheless we are confident we will be stronger at the Lausitzring than we were at the season opener. The new format with two rounds per weekend definitely lived up to our expectations in Hockenheim. The fans are treated with a truly fantastic on-track programme in the 2015 DTM season. We are particularly looking forward to the SUPERBIKE*IDM, with many BMW Motorrad bikes on the grid, being part of the supporting programme. There’s no doubt that for the fans, the appearance of the motorcycles rounds off an already action-packed race weekend with two DTM qualifying sessions and two races.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“Naturally, after Marco Wittmann won the title there in 2014, the Lausitzring is special to us. But looking back is irrelevant now. At the opener in Hockenheim we saw that we have a challenging season ahead of us and that we and the other BMW teams need to raise our game if we want to be up there at the front again. Which is why we worked hard to prepare for the Lausitzring and hope we will deliver a stronger performance there.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“The Lausitzring is always good for a surprise. In 2012 we got the DTM win at the first attempt. However, the Lusatia races were mixed for us in the last two years. Martin Tomczyk’s fourth place in the second DTM race in Hockenheim showed us that we are on the right track and we want to go on like that with both drivers at the Lausitzring.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“Generally we had a good pace at the opener in Hockenheim – which is why we are confident heading into the second race weekend. However, the Lausitzring isn’t exactly what you would call a BMW track. Nevertheless we want to pick up points and be rewarded for the hard work over the past few weeks. As Hockenheim didn’t go our way it is something of a second start to the season for us.”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“I think the two races at Hockenheim have given the DTM fans appetite for more. There’s no doubt that the new format was a challenge for us as a team. However, when you see how much action is on offer this weekend, it is fantastic. We picked up a few points at the start of the season. It was a solid start, on which we want to build at the Lausitzring.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 1, BMW Team RMG):
“Naturally I am looking forward to returning to the Lausitzring, after all I celebrated the biggest success of my career there in 2014. The track has a little bit of everything – narrow corners, fast sections and long straights. I’m sure once again there will be plenty of action on offer for the fans.”
Maxime Martin (car number 36, BMW Team RMG):
“Last year was the first time I contested a DTM race at the Lausitzring. Now I am much more familiar with the track. It is difficult to say what the balance of power will be like on this circuit. In any case, my aim is to pick up points, just like at Hockenheim.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 77, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“The Lausitzring is a track that we know well in principle. And we know that we can be fast there. But the challenge will be unlocking this potential when it matters. Our competition is strong. But we have also shown in the past that we can do well at the Lausitzring.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 13, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Last year’s race was difficult for me, as it was my first race in the BMW M4 DTM on the Lausitzring. Now I come back and have a much better idea of what to expect. I hope that helps me to have a good pace from the beginning. The Hockenheim weekend was disappointing for me as far as results are concerned, but I showed a good pace in qualifying on Sunday. So I know I can be really quick if I get everything right. That’s the goal for the weekend.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 18, BMW Team RBM):
“It’s great to be back at the wheel of my Shell BMW M4 DTM after the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. We showed a very good pace at the opening DTM weekend in Hockenheim, but weren’t able to get the results we had been aiming for. I have some good memories of the Lausitzring as I stepped on the podium there for the first time in my DTM career in 2012. Let’s hope for another good weekend there.”
Tom Blomqvist (car number 31, BMW Team RBM):
“My very first DTM race weekend was fantastic. I learned a lot and now feel well-prepared for the second event at the Lausitzring. Our pace was good in Hockenheim, but we couldn’t capitalise on this to score some good results. I definitely want to change this at the Lausitzring.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team MTEK):
“Although the last two races at the Lausitzring have not been ideal for me, I always have fond memories when I return to the circuit. I will never forget that first victory with the BMW Bank M3 DTM in the 2012 season. That was an awesome experience for me. This year, it is important for us to qualify higher up than we did in Hockenheim. I am certain we will be able to get some good results again then.”
Timo Glock (car number 16, BMW Team MTEK):
“I am glad to finally go racing again after a three-week break. We obviously hope that the Lausitzring will suit us better than it has done in the past, and that we can return to form there. It would be nice to come away with some points again.”
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Lausitzring Statistics.
Length: 3.478 km
2014 winner: Pascal Wehrlein, Mercedes
2014 pole: 1:17.547 minutes (Pascal Wehrlein, Mercedes)
Top BMW in 2014: Marco Wittmann, 6th
DTM debut: 2000
BMW wins: 1
BMW pole positions: 1
BMW fastest laps: 0
BMW podiums: 2
2015 DTM Calendar.
1st-3rd May – Hockenheim (DE), 29th-31st May – Lausitzring (DE), 26th-28th June – Norisring (DE), 10th-12th July – Zandvoort (NL), 31st July-2nd August – Spielberg (AT), 28th-30th August – Moscow (RU), 11th-13th September – Oschersleben (DE), 25th-27th September – Nürburgring (DE), 16th-18th October – Hockenheim (DE).
Drivers’ Championship.
Edoardo Mortara (30 points), 2. Mattias Ekström (25), 3. Jamie Green (25), 4. Pascal Wehrlein (22), 5. Mike Rockenfeller (18), 6. Paul di Resta (15), 7. Gary Paffett (15), 8. Martin Tomczyk (12), 9. Marco Wittmann (12), 10. Nico Müller (8), 11. Maxime Martin (6), 12. Robert Wickens (6), 13. Timo Glock (5), 14. Bruno Spengler (2), 15. Augusto Farfus (1), 16. António Félix da Costa (0), 17. Tom Blomqvist (0), 18. Miguel Molina (0), 19. Timo Scheider (0), 20. Christian Vietoris (0), 21. Adrien Tambay (0), 22. Daniel Juncadella (0), 23. Maximilian Götz (0), 24. Lucas Auer (0).
Team Championship.
Audi Sport Team Rosberg (33 points), 2. Audi Sport Team Abt (30), 3. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (25), 4. gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (22), 5. SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (21), 6. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (18), 7. BMW Team RMG (18), 8. EURONICS/BWT Mercedes-AMG (15), 9. BMW Team Schnitzer (12), 10. BMW Team MTEK (7), 11. BMW Team RBM (1), 12. PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG (0).
Manufacturers’ Championship.
Audi (106 points), 2. Mercedes (58), 3. BMW (38).
Three BMW M4 DTMs finish the first Qualifying at the Lausitzring in the top-ten.
30.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 30th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, Marco Wittmann (DE) Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. This image is copyright free for ...
Lausitzring (DE), 30th May 2015. Marco Wittmann (DE), Maxime Martin (BE) and Tom Blomqvist (GB) finished qualifying for the third DTM race of the season at the Lausitzring (DE) with their BMW M4 DTM cars in the top-ten. Reigning DTM champion Wittmann drove a personal best lap around the 3.478 kilometre circuit in a time of 1:17.635 minutes in his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM. With his time, he had a gap of 0.197 seconds of a second to pole-setter Miguel Molina (ES / Audi). Martin was eighth in his SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, directly followed by Blomqvist.
António Félix da Costa (PT), Bruno Spengler (CA), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Timo Glock (DE) and Augusto Farfus (BR) finished 12th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 19th respectively.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“Considering the fact that the Lausitzring isn’t necessarily a circuit that suits us and that we were quite a way behind in the practice sessions, this result is quite okay. However, we always want to be at the very top – and not in sixth. Now we have to wait and see what is still possible during the race. Hopefully we will be able to gain some ground. Our performance on the second set of tyres wasn’t quite as good as during our first outing. That’s why I don’t think my little off has cost us any places.” – Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 6th)
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Facts and figures.
Circuit/length:
Lausitzring, 3.478 kilometres
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 18 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Miguel Molina (ES, Audi), 1:17.438 minutes
BMW Motorsport results*:
No 1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
1:17.635 minutes – 6th place
No 36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
1:17.729 minutes – 8th place
No 31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
1:17.800 minutes – 9th place
No 13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
1:17.956 minutes – 12th place
No 7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
1:18.014 minutes – 15th place
No 77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
1:18.078 minutes – 17th place
No 16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
1:18,115 minutes – 18th place
No 18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
1:18.132 minutes – 19th place
*The official starting grid may differ from the provisional qualifying results published in this release.
Useful information:
With the results for Wittmann and Martin, both drivers from BMW Team RMG finished in the top-ten.
Both Wittmann and Martin went off track briefly during qualifying.
Blomqvist was the fastest BMW driver in both free practice sessions. In Friday’s first practice, the DTM rookie even set the fastest time overall.
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Maxime Martin finishes seventh to score points for BMW in the third race of the DTM season at the Lausitzring.
30.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 30th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, Race 03, Maxime Martin (BE) SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM. This image is copyright free ...
Lausitzring (DE), 30th May 2015. Maxime Martin (BE) was the best-placed BMW driver for the second time this year in the third race of the DTM season. The BMW Team RMG driver came home seventh in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM to pick up six points towards the Drivers’ Championship. Martin is now level with fellow BMW drivers Marco Wittmann (DE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) on 12 points.
Bruno Spengler (CA) narrowly missed out on the top ten, finishing 11th. He was followed over the line by Tomczyk and Wittmann in 12th and 13th. Timo Glock (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT) and Tom Blomqvist (GB) came home 18th, 19th and 22nd. Augusto Farfus (BR) failed to finish. Victory went to Jamie Green (GB) in an Audi.
Reactions to the third race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After a difficult qualifying, we had an equally tough race today. One car in the points. That is obviously far from satisfactory. Maxime Martin managed to work his way up into fifth place, but tyre problems shortly before the finish meant he was no longer able to match the pace of the leaders without DRS. Our problem is that we cannot get maximum performance out of the tyres over the entire distance. We must now analyse why that is.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG , 7th): “The positive thing is that I finished in the points. However, that is not enough to meet the high standards BMW sets itself. Towards the end of the race, you could see that I was no longer able to match the pace of my rivals. We must work hard to rectify that in the future. Finishing as the best-placed BMW driver for the second thime is obviously not a bad record for me. I have far more experience than in 2014 and am doing well. Despite this, we cannot generally be happy at the moment.”
Facts and figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Lausitzring, 3.478 kilometres, 40 minutes plus one lap
Conditions:
Cloudy, 16 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
No 36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 7th
No 7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 11th
No 77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 12th
No 1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 13th
No 16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 18th
No 13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 19th
No 31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – 22nd
No 18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Useful facts:
Seventh place for Maxime Martin equals his best result of the season. He was the best-placed BMW driver in the field for the second time, having first achieved this feat in race one in Hockenheim.
Marco Wittmann and Augusto Farfus were both relegated five grid positions for blocking an opponent in qualifying. They started the race from 11th and 23rd respectively.
Augusto Farfus made up a number of positions at the start, but was forced to retire on lap two after a collision. He made it back to the pit lane, but the Shell BMW M4 DTM was too severely damaged to continue.
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Reactions to the third race of the 2015 DTM season.
30.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 29th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Matquardt (DE). This image is copyright free for ...
Lausitzring (DE), 30th May 2015. Maxime Martin (BE) finished seventh in Saturday’s race at the Lausitzring (DE), making him the best-placed BMW driver. He was able to mix it with the leading group for long stretches of the race in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, but lost ground over the final few laps.
The remaining BMW drivers missed out on the points. Bruno Spengler (CA) came home 11th in the BMW Bank M4 DTM. He was followed over the line by Martin Tomczyk (DE) and Marco Wittmann (DE). The reigning DTM champion was handed a five-place grid penalty after qualifying, meaning he started the race from 13th. Timo Glock (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT) and Tom Blomqvist (GB) finished 18th, 19th and 22nd. Augusto Farfus (BR) retired after a collision on lap two.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the race.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After a difficult qualifying, we had an equally tough race today. One car in the points. That is obviously far from satisfactory. Maxime Martin managed to work his way up into fifth place, but tyre problems shortly before the finish meant he was no longer able to match the pace of the leaders without DRS. Our problem is that we cannot get maximum performance out of the tyres over the entire distance. We must now analyse why that is.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 7th): “The positive thing is that I finished in the points. However, that is not enough to meet the high standards BMW sets itself. Towards the end of the race, you could see that I was no longer able to match the pace of my rivals. We must work hard to rectify that in the future. Finishing as the best-placed BMW driver for the second time is obviously not a bad record for me. I have far more experience than in 2014 and am doing well. Despite this, we cannot generally be happy at the moment.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 11th): “Unfortunately the first half of my race was not good enough. After that I had good race pace and was actually happy with my car. However, I was just unable to make it into the points. We will now work hard to ensure we do better on Sunday. Tomorrow is a new day."
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, 12th): “My race was actually quite okay. All in all, however, this was as good as we could hope for. The field sorted itself out very quickly, and I was unable to work my way any further forward in the group I found myself in.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 13th): “My grid penalty put me in a difficult position from the word go. I still cannot really understand the penalty. Despite all that, I got off to a good start and did well for the first few laps. Then I probably put a bit too much strain on my tyres while behind other cars. That is why I dropped out of the points towards the end of the race.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 18th): “That was a frustrating race. I was actually always good in the first two sectors, but never got myself into position on the long straight, from which I was able to attack. Therefore, I spent almost the entire race behind Christian Vietoris.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 19th): “I had had problems with my braking all weekend. Despite this, I still managed to qualify just outside the top ten. Unfortunately I was not able to maintain that position over the entire race distance.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, 22nd): “That was not an easy race. I was doing really well for the first few laps. After that, I tried to avoid putting too much strain on the rear tyres. However, I was losing time in the wrong places – particularly the last corner. That is why I lost positions. Then I made a mistake braking into turn eight and came off the track. Despite this, we learned a lot today. We will now take a very close look at everything and see what we can do tomorrow.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, DNF): “I got off to a very good start and immediately overtook a few cars. Unfortunately I was then forced onto the grass and then hit by another car. The Shell BMW M4 DTM was too severely damaged to continue and my Saturday was over.
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DTM standings.
Drivers’ Championship.
Jamie Green (50 points), 2. Edoardo Mortara (48), 3. Mattias Ekström (40), 4. Pascal Wehrlein (32), 5. Mike Rockenfeller (20), 6. Paul di Resta (15), 7. Gary Paffett (15), 8. Robert Wickens (14), 9. Martin Tomczyk (12), 10. Miguel Molina (12), 11. Marco Wittmann (12), 12. Maxime Martin (12), 13. Nico Müller (8), 14. Timo Glock (5), 15. Timo Scheider (4), 16. Bruno Spengler (2), 17. Daniel Juncadella (1), 18. Augusto Farfus (1).
Team Championship.
Audi Sport Team Rosberg (58 points), 2. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (52), 3. Audi Sport Team Abt (48), 4. gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (32), 5. SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (29), 6. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (24), 7. BMW Team RMG (24), 8. EURONICS/BWT Mercedes-AMG (15), 9. BMW Team Schnitzer (12), 10. BMW Team MTEK (7), 11. PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG (1), 12. BMW Team RBM (1).
Manufacturers’ Championship.
1. Audi (182 points), 2. Mercedes-Benz (77), 3. BMW (44).
Martin qualifies as top BMW driver in fifth place for race two at the Lausitzring – Farfus also starts in the top ten.
31.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 31th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, Maxime Martin (BE) SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM and Marco Wittmann (DE) Ice-Watch BMW M4 ...
Lausitzring (DE), 31st May 2015. BMW drivers Maxime Martin (BE) and Augusto Farfus (BR) qualified in the top ten for race four of the DTM season at the Lausitzring (DE). Martin clocked a fastest time of 1:17.954 minutes in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, earning him fifth place on the grid and making him the best-placed BMW driver in qualifying for the third time this season. Farfus bounced back well from his disappointment on Saturday, finishing seventh fastest in the Shell BMW M4 DTM.
Rookie Tom Blomqvist (GB) was the third of the BMW drivers in twelfth place. Behind him, Bruno Spengler (CA), Marco Wittmann (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT), Timo Glock (DE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) came home 13th, 17th, 18th, 21st and 23rd. Pole position went to Audi’s Jamie Green (GB, 1:17.386 minutes).
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“Fifth place is good and an improvement. We once again head the BMW contingent, but are not quite able to match the pace of the cars at the front. That is not exactly making our life easy, but the race is a long one. We are starting well towards the front and definitely have a good chance of scoring more points.” – Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 5th)
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Facts and figures.
Circuit/length:
Lausitzring, 3.478 kilometres
Conditions:
Slightly overcast, 19 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Jamie Green (GB, Audi), 1:17.386 minutes
BMW Motorsport results*:
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
1:33.526 minutes – 5th
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
1:33.310 minutes – 7th
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
1:33.358 minutes – 12th
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
1:33.652 minutes – 13th
#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
1:33.591 minutes – 17th
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
1:33.604 minutes – 18th
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
1:34.109 minutes – 21st
#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
1:33.842 minutes – 23rd
*The starting positions may differ to the provisional qualifying results above.
Useful information:
Maxime Martin achieved his best qualifying result of the season. Augusto Farfus was third in the first qualifying session in Hockenheim, but had to start from the back of the field due to a breach of the rules.
Just three tenths of a second separate the second car from the 15th.
Timo Glock came off the track in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM after seven minutes, but was able to return to the garage without any damage to the car.
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Maxime Martin finishes eighth to score points again in race two at the Lausitzring.
31.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 31th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, Race 04, Maxime Martin (BE) SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM. This image is copyright free ...
Lausitzring (DE), 31st May 2015. BMW Team RMG driver Maxime Martin (BE) was in the points again in race two at the Lausitzring, and was once again the best-placed BMW driver in the field. The Belgian guided his SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM home in eighth place. Martin has now pulled ahead of fellow BMW drivers Martin Tomczyk (DE) and Marco Wittmann (DE, both 12 points) in the Drivers’ Championship with 16 points to his name.
Bruno Spengler (CA) did cross the finish line tenth in the BMW Bank M4 DTM, but was handed a drive-through penalty for his part in a collision with Adrien Tambay (FR, Audi) and dropped back to 19th. This made Tomczyk the second-best BMW driver in eleventh place. However, this meant that the BMW Team Schnitzer driver narrowly missed out on the points. He was followed home by Timo Glock (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT) and Wittmann in positions twelve, 14 and 17. Augusto Farfus (BR) and Tom Blomqvist (GB) failed to finish. Victory, as on Saturday, went to Jamie Green (GB, Audi).
Reactions to the fourth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “As expected, that was a tough race for us today. Maxime Martin was again the only BMW driver in the points, in eighth place this time. That is obviously unsatisfactory. After the safety car phase you could see that we took two or three laps to get the tyres working. We did not manage to get the maximum performance out of the tyres over the entire distance. This is not at all what we saw during the initial winter tests. We will have to investigate the reasons for this. The positive I can take with me from this weekend is the fighting spirit among our teams and drivers – even though we did not pick up a lot of points. That pleased me greatly.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 8th): “The race was virtually a carbon copy of Saturday’s. I had bigger problems than the others with tyre degradation. That was particularly a problem at the restart after the safety car phase. On the whole, this was a disappointing weekend from a BMW point of view. The fact that I was the best BMW driver in both races is the only positive I can take from the weekend.”
Facts and figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Lausitzring, 3.478 kilometres, 60 minutes plus one lap
Conditions:
Cloudy, 21 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 8th
#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 11th
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 12th
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM –14th
#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 17th
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 19th
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – DNF
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Useful facts:
With ten minutes of the race remaining, the safety car brought the field back together following a crash involving Lucas Auer (AT, Mercedes) – this made for an exciting final few minutes with a number of overtaking manoeuvres.
Augusto Farfus was in a point-scoring position for long periods of the race. However, his Shell BMW M4 DTM was so severely damaged in a collision on lap 30 that he had to retire from the race.
Marco Wittmann was hit in the rear by an opponent on the opening lap. He had to swerve into the gravel bed and dropped to the back of the field.
Tom Blomqvist was forced to retire after two laps due to a fault resulting from a collision.
In total, 60,000 spectators followed the action at the Lausitzring on the second DTM race weekend of the year.
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Reactions to the second race weekend of the 2015 DTM season.
31.05.2015
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Lausitzring (DE) 31th May 2015. BMW Motorsport, Maxime Martin (BE) SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM. This image is copyright free for ...
Lausitzring (DE), 31st May 2015. The second race weekend of the DTM season at the Lausitzring did not go according to plan for the BMW DTM teams. In both races, Maxime Martin (BE) was the only BMW man in the points, finishing seventh and eighth. On the whole, all the BMW M4 DTMs struggled to make the best use of the tyres. Victory in both races went to Jamie Green (GB, Audi).
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after races three and four of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “As expected, that was a tough race for us today. Maxime Martin was again the only BMW driver in the points, in eighth place this time. That is obviously unsatisfactory. After the safety car period you could see that we took two or three laps to get the tyres working. We did not manage to get the maximum performance out of the tyres over the entire distance. This is not at all what we saw during the initial winter tests. We will have to investigate the reasons for this. The positive I can take with me from this weekend is the fighting spirit among our teams and drivers. Even though we did not pick up a lot of points, that pleased me greatly.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, Su.: 8th, Sa.: 7th): “The race was virtually a carbon copy of Saturday’s. I had bigger problems than the others with tyre degradation. That was particularly a problem at the restart after the safety car period. On the whole, this was a disappointing weekend from a BMW point of view. The fact that I was the best BMW driver in both races is the only positive I can take from the weekend.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Su.: 11th, Sa.: 12th): “I was once again able to work my way well up the field in the race from the back row of the grid. That, in itself, is a positive thing, as you cannot necessarily expect to finish so high up the field from that kind of grid position. I would have liked to pick up the final point, but unfortunately that was just out of reach. I am coping well in the races, even with a car that is not quite perfect. However, we have yet to find a solution to our problems in qualifying.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, Su.: 12th, Sa.: 18th): “Qualifying is the key issue for us. We must try to do better in that regard. At the moment I cannot get the best out of the new tyres. I was as quick in warm-up on used tyres as I was in qualifying on fresh tyres. We must find out what that is down to and improve in this area. We simply couldn’t get any more out of this weekend than we did.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Su.: 14th, Sa.: 19th): “The way the race panned out was pretty predictable. I had a few collisions with other cars, but that is part and parcel of the DTM. When it comes down to it, we are just not fast enough. I was particularly unhappy with the balance of my car during the races.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Su.: 17th, Sa.: 13th): “The positive thing to come out of this weekend was definitely the fighting spirit that my team and I showed. I made a very good start to race two, and was able to apply some pressure on the opening lap. Then came the incident with Robert Wickens. We first collided in turn six, but that was all fair. He then pushed me off the track in turn seven. I skidded into the gravel, was able to return to the track, but had dropped to a hopeless position at the back of the field. Even the safety car period did not help us. I basically spent the entire race driving qualifying laps. This has been a very difficult weekend. We must now look ahead. I want to be back fighting at the front of the field in my home races at the Norisring.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Su.: 19th, Sa.: 11th): “The race actually went well and I was happy with our pace. The safety car period gave me the chance to close on Adrien Tambay. He collided with Nico Müller and I saw a gap. However, once I got into that gap the wheel locked slightly and I made contact with him. He spun – and I was penalised. Otherwise I would have been tenth. The positive thing is that I will now compete with less weight at the Norisring.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, Su.: DNF, Sa.: DNF): “I had the same problem as yesterday. The front splitter broke, which meant we were unable to continue. At the moment we simply don’t have the necessary pace. That is the state of play. Things actually went very well for us in qualifying. I was able to establish a good position. However, we must definitely improve in the races.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Su.: DNF, Sa.: 22nd): “I found myself in a bunch of cars in turn one, and it all got very tight. I made slight contact with the car in front of me, and didn’t think much of it at the time. However, it turned out that the contact was so unfortunate that it damaged my radiator. It is a real shame that my race came to such an early end.”
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DTM standings.
Drivers’ Championship.
Jamie Green (75 points), 2. Mattias Ekström (58), 3. Edoardo Mortara (58), 4. Pascal Wehrlein (32), 5. Miguel Molina (27), 6. Mike Rockenfeller (21), 7. Timo Scheider (16), 8. Maxime Martin (16), 9. Paul di Resta (15), 10. Gary Paffett (15), 11. Robert Wickens (14), 12. Martin Tomczyk (12), 13. Marco Wittmann (12), 14. Nico Müller (10), 15. Daniel Juncadella (9), 16. Christian Vietoris (6), 17. Timo Glock (5), 18. Bruno Spengler (2), 19. Augusto Farfus (1).
Team Championship.
Audi Sport Team Rosberg (85 points), 2. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (85), 3. Audi Sport Team Abt (58), 4.gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (38), 5. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (37) 6. SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (29), 7. BMW Team RMG (28), 8. EURONICS/BWT Mercedes-AMG (15), 9. BMW Team Schnitzer (12), 10. PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG (9), 11. BMW Team MTEK (7), 12. BMW Team RBM (1).
Manufacturers’ Championship.
Audi (265 points), 2. Mercedes-Benz (91), 3. BMW (48).
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Wittmann takes to the track with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
A childhood dream is set to come true for Marco Wittmann: the reigning DTM champion is being given the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in his career.
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During the official tests at the Red Bull Ring on 24th June, Wittmann will take to the track in Spielberg in a Scuderia Toro Rosso car, the 2015 STR10. BMW Motorsport was able to arrange this special Formula One test thanks to its excellent relationship with premium partner Red Bull. The drive in the STR10 is BMW Motorsport’s a way of rewarding Wittmann for the extraordinary performances he produced throughout the 2014 DTM season, which he crowned by winning the Drivers’ Championship. The Formula One test was just one of the surprises bestowed upon the newly-crowned champion by BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt at the final race of last season in Hockenheim. For his achievements, Wittmann was also honoured by launching the limited BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition.
“It is fantastic that BMW Motorsport and Red Bull are giving me this opportunity to take part in the test,” said Wittmann. “This is a dream come true for me. As a child, I always wanted to drive a Formula One car. I am sure it will be a very special experience to drive the STR10. After many successful races in my BMW DTM racing car, I am excited about getting back in a single-seater car for a brief outing – especially such a fantastic car as that of Scuderia Toro Rosso. Above all, I am excited about an even higher top speed, the acceleration, braking later, and the g-force.”
On the streets of Nürnberg.
After a four-week break from racing, the four BMW teams head back to the track in the DTM on 27th and 28th June: At the legendary Norisring on the streets of Nürnberg, the only street race of 2015 awaits BMW Motorsport.
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The DTM event around the Dutzendteich with its unique atmosphere captivates fans and drivers alike. However, there is one driver in the BMW Motorsport squad who is particularly looking forward to races five and six of the season: Marco Wittmann, the reigning DTM Champion, lives just a few kilometres away from the track in Fürth. This makes the event at the Norisring a real home race for Wittmann.
So it comes as no surprise that the BMW Team RMG driver's calendar has been fully booked over the past few weeks – and mainly with meetings in his Franconian home. However, Wittmann travels to Austria this week for a very special highlight, before fighting for points at the Norisring. On Wednesday he will take part in a Formula 1 test in the Scuderia Toro Rosso at the "Red Bull Ring" in Spielberg, which BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardtsurprised him with at last year's season finale in Hockenheim as a special reward for winning the 2014 DTM title.
Glock headed straight to Le Castellet from there, where he contested his first joint race with Alessandro Zanardi and Bruno Spengler in the BMW Z4 GT3. The trio are currently preparing for their start in the 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps on 25th/26th July. Maxime Martin was another BMW DTM driver in action at the "Circuit Paul Ricard" in addition to Glock and Spengler – and he had reason to celebrate: Alongside Markus Palttala and BMW Motorsport works driver Lucas Luhr, Maxime Martin finished in third place for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS and made it onto the podium after the six-hour race.
Now all of the BMW DTM drivers will meet again at the Norisring, ready to take a step forward after two difficult weekends in Hockenheim and at the Lausitzring. BMW has celebrated five wins and 15 podium finishes in Nuremberg to date. However, the street circuit, which is made suitable for racing by volunteers every year and also includes public roads, proved to be difficult ground for BMW Motorsport last season. On a track that started off wet and went on to dry out later on, only two BMW drivers made it into the top ten. Local hero Wittmann in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM finished sixth, making him the top BMW representative.
THE FIGHT FOR EVERY MILLIMETRE – DTM AT THE NORISRING
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Is it still possible to stop Audi ace Jamie Green? This question will be answered from 26th to 28th June when DTM contests its third race weekend of the 2015 season in Nuremberg. For many drivers and fans, the race meeting at the Norisring represents the season highlight. The just 2.3-kilometre short street circuit around the big stone grandstands on the ‘Zeppelinfeld’ provides the spectators maximum entertainment and forces the drivers to take themselves and their cars to their very limit. They are fighting for every millimetre of tarmac and so, enthralling race action is guaranteed. And due to the multifaceted top-class support programme, the visitors also will be thrilled when the DTM cars aren’t in action.
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Three wins in four races – Jamie Green currently is in outstanding shape. The Briton (75 points) already holds a small lead in the drivers’ championship, with his gap over his fellow Audi drivers Mattias Ekström and Edoardo Mortara (both 58) amounting to 17 points. On the other hand, there still are 14 races to be contested and in Nuremberg alone, a total of 50 points can be scored. But one shouldn’t forget that the Norisring suits Green particularly well. Due to having celebrated four wins in Nuremberg (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012) he was awarded the nickname ‘Mr Norisring’ and the fact that he secured all these wins for Mercedes-Benz doesn’t mean that he can’t add to this streak f success in late June. Now, in the third year after his switch to Audi, he seems to really have arrived in the camp of the Ingolstadt based manufacturer. And In Nuremberg, he already finished runner-up in 2014. “The circuit features numerous hard brake spots,” says Green. “That’s something I really like and that suits me well.”
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“In DTM, small details use to be crucial,” says Germany’s DTM legend Hans-Joachim Stuck. “The racing is extremely close and things can go downhill as quickly as they went uphill – and even more so at the Norisring. Here, virtually everybody can make it to the podium.” Despite the current Audi dominance, predicting the result of the two qualifying sessions (Saturday, 27th June, 13:25 to 13:45hrs CEST [12:25hrs to 12:45hrs BST] / Sunday 28th June, 11:40 to 12:00hrs CEST) and races (Saturday 27th June, from 16.45hrs CEST / Sunday, 28th June, from 15:15hrs CEST) is absolutely impossible. Particularly as the Audi vehicles have to contest the Norisring meeting with quite a lot of extra performance weights, due to their successes in the races contested to date. At the same time, the Nuremberg weekend will be a very special event for the two local heroes on the grid, Maximilian Götz (Mercedes-Benz) and reigning champion Marco Wittmann (BMW). “The Norisring makes for a very special atmosphere and in addition, a lot of my friends and my family will be on site,” says DTM rookie Götz who would love to score his first DTM points in his home event. And Wittmann stresses: “The Norisring is my home circuit. I already attended the Norisring races as a little boy and it definitely is one of my absolute season highlights.”
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Meanwhile, the support programme also features numerous highlights: after the Saturday race, the German band Guano Apes will rock the crowds with a 45-minute concert on the ‘DTM Show Stage’ and on Sunday, Leslie Clio will make for the music titbit with her modern soul-pop. A special on-track eye-catcher will be the Formula Vau that will make its Norisring comeback 50 years after its debut in Nuremberg with a big number of historic single-seaters. Furthermore, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and the Audi Sport TT Cup also will thrill the crowds with enthralling battles for championship points, podiums and race wins.
Those how haven’t got the chance of attending the Norisring meeting live on site nonetheless will have the chance of following the race action in Nuremberg. DTM’s German TV partner, ARD, covers both Norisring races live – on Saturday from 16:30hrs CEST (15:30hrs BST) and on Sunday from 15:00hrs CEST. Furthermore, sportschau.de and DTM.com will stream the qualifying sessions live. And live ticker, live timing as well as live onboard cameras in the DTM cars will provide the fans with additional interesting information on the Norisring race action.
The DTM weekend at the Norisring will begin on Friday, 26th June. Please find the schedule and everything else worth to know around the event here. Tickets can be ordered at DTM.com to then be printed out by dint of the Print@Home method or purchased on site at the Norisring box offices.
Spengler starts Norisring weekend with P3.
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Bruno Spengler finished the first practice session of the DTM weekend at the Norisring in third position. He clocked a personal best lap time in his BMW Bank M4 DTM of von 48.585 seconds and was only 0.032 seconds behind the best time of the session set by Gary Paffett.
Behind Spengler, three more BMW drivers finished the session on the 2.3 kilometre street circuit within the top ten. Maxime Martin, Augusto Farfus and Marco Wittmann were eighth, ninth and tenth respectively.
Timo Glock was 16th in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, Martin Tomczyk, Tom Blomqvist and António Félix da Costa finished 22nd, 23rd and 24th respectively.
Rain in Nürnberg.
The BMW DTM drivers completed the second free practice session at the Norisring on a wet track. Timo Glock coped best with the conditions, setting the third fastest time.
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A very tight street circuit – combined with slippery conditions: the Norisring was a real challenge on Saturday morning. However, this did not prevent the BMW drivers from getting plenty of laps under their belts and working on finding the ideal set-up for the BMW M4 DTM for these conditions. Glock was the fastest of the BMW driver. He set a lap time of 55.108 seconds in his DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM to finish third. P1 went to Mercedes driver Robert Wickens (54.933 seconds).
The positions of the other BMW drivers: 6th Martin Tomczyk, 9th Augusto Farfus, 15th Maxime Martin, 16th Bruno Spengler, 17th Tom Blomqvist, 20th Marco Wittmann, 21st António Félix da Costa.
The first qualifying session at the Norisring gets underway at 13:25 this afternoon
After a turbulent qualifying session, three BMW M4 DTMs make the top ten.
Rain in the morning and a track which was drying out provided plenty of action in the first qualifying session at the Norisring.
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At the 2.3-kilometre street circuit, times were falling with each lap completed, meaning that deciding the starting grid for the first race went down to the wire.
In claiming sixth place in the Nürnberg rain lottery, Augusto Farfus (50.876 seconds) in the Shell BMW M4 DTM was the best-placed BMW driver. At his home event, DTM champion Marco Wittman qualified eighth. By qualifying in tenth, Martin Tomzcyk was the third BMW driver to make the top ten. Christian Vietoris (Mercedes) will start from pole position after setting a time of 50.640 seconds.
Bruno Spengler, Maxime Martin and Timo Glock qualified in 13th, 14th and 15th. Tom Blomqvist and António Félix da Costa occupy positions 17 and 18. All 24 cars qualified within a second of each other.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“We were showing good pace in practice and it was important to put a perfect lap together. If it hadn’t been for that small mistake I made, I could have fought for pole position. Lap times are always tight here. This is how we must move forward. The race is long and you just have to get through it. With our car, the potential for a strong result is definitely there.” – Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 6th place)
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Facts and Figures:
Circuit/length:
Norisring, 2.3 kilometres
Conditions:
Heavy cloud, 19 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Christian Vietoris (Mercedes), 50.640 seconds
BMW Motorsport results*:
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
50.876 seconds – 6th place
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
50.965 seconds – 8th place
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
51.088 seconds – 10th place
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
51.152 seconds – 13th place
, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
51.198 seconds – 14th place
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
51.236 seconds – 15th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
51.283 seconds – 17th place
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
51.326 seconds – 18th place
*The official starting grid may differ from the provisional qualifying results published in this release.
Useful information:
After a little more than half the session was complete, the track was dry enough for slick tyres.
In the 20-minute qualifying session, the 24 drivers completed over 500 laps of the 2.3-km circuit.
For the second time this season, Augusto Farfus was able to qualfy within the top ten. The same is true for Martin Tomczyk, and this was Marco Wittman’s third top ten qualifying result.
The fifth of this year’s 18 DTM races begins at 16:45hrs local time.
Four BMW M4 DTM cars in the points.
The fifth race of the 2015 DTM season, at the Norisring, developed into a real rain and tyre lottery. Four BMW drivers scored valuable points today.
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It began to rain at the 2.3-kilometre street circuit shortly before the race was due to start, which led to differing tyre strategies throughout the grid. BMW Team MTEK’s Bruno Spengler was one of the drivers who started the race on slicks in his BMW Bank M4 DTM. After 46 laps, he was the most successful of the BMW drivers, finishing fifth. Victory went to Mercedes driver Pascal Wehrlein.
Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM), the only BMW driver to begin the race on wets, took the chequered flag directly behind Spengler in sixth. DTM champion Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) finished his home event in ninth place, behind fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM).
António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) missed out on the points, as they finished twelfth and thirteenth. Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) and Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) retired from the race.
Reactions to the fifth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “The weather lottery we were expecting is exactly what we got. We performed well and four of our cars finished in the top ten. By finishing fifth and sixth in unsettled conditions, Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk were particularly impressive – although they both started the race on different tyres. Overall, our speed was okay on a drying track. We have improved since the opening races and can build on this. I wish to congratulate Mercedes who, once again, were victorious here at the Norisring.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 5th place): “Track conditions were difficult to work out today. As such, we needed to choose the correct tyre strategy before the race. My engineer selected slicks, which was precisely the right choice as I came through the field well. A big thank you to my team and well done to everyone – you all did a great job. I’m very satisfied with how my race panned out, but I do know that we have a lot of work ahead of us. I’m pleased we were able to score points today.”
Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Norisring, 2.3 kilometres, 40 minutes plus 1 lap
Conditions:
Heavy cloud, 23 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 5th place
#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 6th place
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 8th place
#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 9th place
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 12th place
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 16th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – DNF
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Useful information:
The weather situation at the beginning of the race was so uncertain that some drivers chose wet tyres, while others opted for dry tyres. Martin Tomczyk was the only BMW driver to begin the race on wet tyres. The track had dried up so much about fifteen minutes into the race that all drivers had to change to slicks.
Maxime Martin was involved in a collision in turn one and had to withdraw from the race.
Due to contact with another car in turn one, Tom Blomqvist had to make an unscheduled pit stop. After twelve laps, he had to pit again and retire his BMW M4 DTM.
Fifth place was Bruno Spengler’s best result this season. The same is also true for Augusto Farfus, who finished eighth.
The second qualifying session begins at 11:40 on Sunday. Before that, the 15-minute warm-up is scheduled for 09:50.
Reactions to the fifth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the race.
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Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “The weather lottery we were expecting is what we got. We put in good performances and four of our cars finished in the top ten. By finishing fifth and sixth in changing conditions, Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk in particular were outstanding – although they started the race on different tyres. Overall, our speed was okay on a drying track. We have improved since the opening races and can build on this. I want to congratulate Mercedes who, once again, were victorious here at the Norisring.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 5th place): “The track conditions were difficult to work out today. We, therefore, needed to choose the correct tyre strategy before the race. My engineer selected slicks, which was precisely the right choice as I came through the field well. A big thank you to my team and well done to everyone – you all did a great job. I’m very satisfied with how my race panned out, but I do know that we have a lot of work ahead of us. I'm pleased we were able to score points today.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, 6th place): “I’m more or less satisfied – although the safety car period did annoy me a little as it cost me a better result. Nevertheless, I think that starting the race on wet tyres was the correct strategy. My pace was good and I was driving quickly. It would have been good if we could have had just a few more laps.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 8th place): “Choosing the correct tyres was difficult. My team made the right decision but we had a great deal of understeer in the race, and we weren’t able to show the performance we were capable of. It's a shame because we showed a strong pace for the whole weekend and were faced with difficulties during the race. I had a problem in the closing stages and lost a few positions. We will use the time to take another proper look at the car and make some improvements ready for tomorrow.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 9th place): “Of course, we had to be more careful at the start because of the rain. The more the track dried out, the quicker I was able to drive. The different strategies today proved to be equally successful. I had hoped for a little bit more, but now we just have to see that tomorrow is better.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 12th place): “I had a lot of fun. The beginning was hard as I had slicks on a wet track, but we were able to keep up with the drivers ahead, and I was able to pull off a few good overtakes. Towards the end of the race, I had problems with my brakes again. We want to make a few set-up changes, so we are going to work hard ready for tomorrow.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 13th place): “Unfortunately, this was a hard race for us as we just didn’t have the speed to keep up with the best BMW drivers. After a few instances of contact, which damaged my car, I lost alignment at the front and I couldn’t rectify it.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, DNF): “My start was alright. I was wedged in before turn one and had to swerve inwards. When I came back onto the track another car had spun and we touched, which caused damage to my car and ended my race. I'll get a second chance tomorrow.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, DNF): “I started on slicks, as some other drivers did. As far as I’m concerned, that was the right choice. I was in the middle of the pack and was trying to overtake Edoardo Mortara in his Audi, but we made contact. It wasn’t a hefty impact but my car was too heavily damaged. It’s a shame, as this is only my second retirement in the DTM series, but these things happen.”
Pole for Spengler at the Norisring.
The curse has been broken: Bruno Spengler claimed BMW Motorsport’s first pole position of the 2015 DTM season at the Norisring.
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On the 2.3-kilometre street circuit, the BMW Team MTEK driver clocked a time of 48.280 seconds in his BMW Bank M4 DTM – four thousandths of a second quicker than Christian Vietoris (Mercedes).
This was Spengler’s first pole since the last race of the 2013 season in Hockenheim and the 17th overall in his DTM career. The last BMW driver to achieve pole was Marco Wittmann at the Nürburgring in 2014. This is BMW’s 44th DTM pole position since 1984 and the 14th since the brand made its DTM comeback in the 2012 season.
By qualifying in ninth, Maxime Martin also made the top ten. Augusto Farfus, Timo Glock and António Félix da Costa qualified in positions 12, 14 and 17 respectively. Tom Blomqvist, Martin Tomczyk and Wittmann had to settle for positions 20, 21 and 22.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“I really didn’t expect this result. Our car ran really well on Friday and we were in the top three in the first free practice session. We had a good race yesterday and were able to score some good points. But, now, to be on pole… that’s huge. My car was fantastic in qualifying. A really big thank you must go to BMW Team MTEK. The beginning of the season was really hard, which is why I’m all the more pleased to have achieved pole position. But this is only half the job – we still have the rest ahead of us and it won’t be easy. The other drivers behind me are very quick. It will be tough to keep them behind me, but I will do my best. I also want to thank the fans for their excellent support. The atmosphere here at the Norisring is always amazing.” – Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 1st)
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Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length:
Norisring, 2.3 kilometres
Conditions:
Slightly cloudy, 20 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK), 48.280 seconds
BMW Motorsport results*:
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
48.280 seconds – 1st place
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
48.484 seconds – 9th place
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
48.547 seconds – 12th place
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
48.559 seconds – 14th place
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
48.610 seconds – 17th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
48.719 seconds – 20th place
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
48.767 seconds – 21st place
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
48.815 seconds – 22nd place
*The official starting grid may differ from the provisional qualifying results published here.
Useful information:
Bruno Spengler’s last pole in the DTM came on 19th October 2012, at the last race of the season in Hockenheim.
This is Spengler's 17th DTM pole and the fourth at the Norisring, the others coming in 2007, 2008 and 2011.
This ends BMW Motorsport's ten-month pole drought. The last BMW driver to achieve pole position was Marco Wittmann at the Nürburgring in 2014.
The sixth of this year’s 18 DTM races begins at 15:15hrs local time.
Spengler claims first podium finish of the DTM season.
In race six of the DTM season, Bruno Spengler claimed BMW Motorsport’s first podium of the year thanks to a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre on the penultimate lap at the Norisring.
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In what was a fascinating battle with Mattias Ekström, the BMW Team MTEK driver was able to pass the Swede and took the chequered flag in third in his BMW Bank M4 DTM. The race win went to Robert Wickens.
This was Spengler’s 39th podium finish in his DTM career and his first since the second place he picked up at the race in Moscow last year. By finishing tenth, Maxime Martin from BMW Team RMG scored one point. Martin Tomczyk, António Félix da Costa and Marco Wittmann were unlucky to miss out on the points as they finished 11th, 12th and 13th respectively. DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist finished 16th.
Through no fault of their own, Augusto Farfus and Timo Glock were forced to retire their cars after collisions in turn one.
Reactions to the sixth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After Saturday’s rain roulette, this race was easier to predict. The Norisring is quite a special track, where experienced drivers can really step up their game. This is precisely what Bruno Spengler did in qualifying, as his pole lap was absolutely perfect. In the race, Bruno showed real fighting spirit, attacking at the right time and, deservedly, achieved his first podium of the season for us. Our 2012 DTM champion performed very strongly today. Maxime Martin also gave no quarter and made it into the points. In our current situation, these are precisely the qualities we must show to get back to where we want to be. After the first two difficult race weekends, this was a small step in the right direction. If things stay as they are, I am convinced that we can improve slowly but surely. Congratulations to Mercedes, who have been successful in Nürnberg for years now.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 3rd place): “I’m really happy to have finished third, however, I am also a little disappointed as I would, of course, liked to have won the race. Both Mercedes were unbeatable today. I dropped down to fifth, but I fought back and the battle for third with Mattias Ekström was a lot of fun. He actually made a small mistake, which meant I could overtake him in the last few metres. Thank you to my team. We pitted at exactly the right time. Hitting the pit stop window correctly was difficult today. It’s also due to the great strategy that I managed to get onto the posium today.”
BMW Motorsport results:
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 3rd place
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 10th place
#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 11th place
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 12th place
#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 13th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – 16th place
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – DNF
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Useful information:
Bruno Spengler achieved the 39th podium of his DTM career and was able to taste the champagne for the first time since his second place finish in Moscow last year.
Spengler was able to keep the lead until lap 13, but he lost four positions within a few corners.
From 21st on the grid, Martin Tomczyk pulled off yet another of his strong comeback performances during the race. By finishing 11th he only just missed out on being able to reap the rewards of a points paying finish.
A problem during António Félix da Costa’s pit stop cost the Portuguese driver quite a few seconds.
Timo Glock was hit by another driver in turn one, which caused him to collide with another car. The result was that his DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM’s engine cover came adrift and he was ultimately forced to retire on lap four when it flew off.
Augusto Farfus retired for the third time this season. His Shell BMW M4 DTM was hit so hard by one of the other drivers that he was forced to retire just one lap later.
Races seven and eight of the 2015 DTM season will take place on 11th and 12th July in Zandvoort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKLmSxldx-U&feature=em-uploademail
DTM action in the dunes.
The DTM is all set for its first appearance of the season outside Germany on the fourth race weekend of 2015.
BMW Motorsport will line up at the iconic “Circuit Park Zandvoort” from 10th to 12th July.
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The last DTM weekend at the Norisring saw the BMW teams show their fighting spirit and all score valuable points. Bruno Spengler was also able to follow up the first pole position of the year for BMW Motorsport with a first podium, courtesy of third place in Sunday’s race. The next challenge now awaits BMW Motorsport, in the form of two races at “Circuit Park” on the North Sea coast.
Last season, the podium in Zandvoort featured two BMW drivers: reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann finished runner-up and Martin Tomczyk (DE) was third. BMW Team RMG also wrapped up the DTM Team Championship at “Circuit Park”, with races to spare. Sixth place for Maxime Martin at the end of an eventful race with four safety car phases was sufficient to secure him the title “Rookie of the Year”.
The weekend in Zandvoort heralds the start of this year’s European tour for the DTM. The round in the Netherlands is followed by races in Spielberg on 1st and 2nd August, before the series heads to Moscow for another two races on 29th and 30th August. While the “Red Bull Ring” and the “Moscow Raceway” may be modern racetracks, “Circuit Park” is an old-school track. With its crests and bumps, every lap is akin to a rollercoaster ride. Another feature is the sand, which is blown across the track by the coastal wind. One of the best overtaking opportunities comes at Tarzanbocht, the first corner at the end of the start/finish straight. In 2013, Augusto Farfus earned his place in the history books by claiming the 50th victory for the BMW M3 in the DTM.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“We showed great fighting spirit at the Norisring, and were rewarded with pole position for and third place in Sunday’s race for Bruno Spengler. All the BMW teams finished in the points. That was important for our confidence. However, we are well aware that we must continue to improve. After the exciting races at the Norisring, in front of 123,000 passionate spectators, the DTM moves on seamlessly. Everyone will start from scratch in Zandvoort. The circuit basically suits the BMW M4 DTM – one win and two podiums in the last two years have shown this. However, we will have to wait until we get there to see what the current balance of power is. We will once again do everything in our power to make the opposition’s life as difficult as possible on the North Sea coast.”
Pole position for Farfus in Zandvoort – Seven BMW drivers in the top ten.
Augusto Farfus will start the seventh DTM race of the season in Zandvoort from pole position.
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The Brazilian, at the wheel of the Shell BMW M4 DTM, clocked a fastest time of 1:31.266 minutes on the 4.307-kilometre circuit in the dunes. In doing so, he finished ahead of fellow BMW drivers Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM), António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) in second, third and fourth.
In total, seven of the eight BMW M4 DTMs qualified in the top ten, making this BMW’s most successful qualifying result since returning to the DTM in 2012. Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM), Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) and Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM) were seventh, eighth and ninth fastest. Martin Tomczyk finished 14th in the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“It was a great qualifying. We have had a good car all weekend and a strong overall package. We are now hoping for a good start to the race, then we will see what is possible. It will be a long race, particularly for the tyres. However, we have every chance of getting a good result if we can get off to a good start.” – Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 1st)
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Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length:
Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4.307 kilometres
Conditions:
Sunny, 22 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM), 1:31.266 minutes
BMW Motorsport results*:
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
1:31.266 minutes – 1st
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
1:31.274 minutes – 2nd
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
1:31.274 minutes – 3rd
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
1:31.363 minutes – 4th
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
1:31.647 minutes – 7th
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
1:31.650 minutes – 8th
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
1:31.656 minutes – 9th
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
1:31.758 minutes – 14th
*The official starting grid may differ from the provisional qualifying results published in this release.
Useful information:
This was BMW Motorsport’s best qualifying result since returning to the DTM in 2012.
Four BMWs occupied the top four spots after qualifying for the first time since the race in Hockenheim in 2013.
Augusto Farfus is on pole position for the first time since the 2013 DTM race at the Nürburgring.
This is BMW Motorsport’s second pole position in a row, following Bruno Spengler’s pole at the Norisring.
Marco Wittmann and António Félix da Costa clocked identical times and missed out on pole position by just eight thousandths of a second. Wittmann starts from second on the grid, ahead of Félix da Costa, because he set his fastest lap earlier in the session.
António Félix da Costa equalled the best qualifying result of his DTM career. He also started from third in only his second race in the DTM in Oschersleben in 2014.
The seventh of this year’s 18 DTM races begins at 18:00hrs local time.
DTM champion Wittmann leads home a further six BMW drivers in Zandvoort.
Race seven of the 2015 DTM season will go down in BMW Motorsport history. Led by winner Marco Wittmann, BMW became the first manufacturer in the history of the DTM to finish in places one to seven.
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The reigning DTM champion and his Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM was followed over the finish line by António Félix da Costa in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, who claimed the first podium of his DTM career. Maxime Martin was third in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, making him the second BMW Team RMG driver on the podium.
Behind the leading trio, Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM), Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM), Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) came home fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh to complete an extraordinary result for BMW Motorsport.
Martin Tomczyk was forced to retire his BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM with a technical problem six laps into the race.
Reactions to the seventh race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That is obviously an absolute dream result. After a superb qualifying, we were able to take full advantage of the good starting position. Marco Wittmann got off to a great start and had a great race. The same goes for António Félix da Costa, with the best DTM race of his career, and Tom Blomqvist, who scored his first DTM points. However, all the drivers did a great job today. Only Martin Tomczyk was unlucky and failed to finish due to a technical problem. We had not bargained on this kind of historic result. Above all, it was a team performance – and is good for everyone after recent weeks. However, we know not to get too carried away with this result. We cannot solve all the problems overnight. Zandvoort suits us, and the weight situation certainly helped. This season has shown how quickly things can change in the DTM. However, it does suggest that all our hard work is taking us in the right direction. And it feels great to see the spirit within our team. We will need that over the coming months. We are now looking ahead to tomorrow, and hoping for a good result.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 1st): “It feels awesome to be back on the top step of the podium. I am incredibly happy. That is not only a great success for me, but for the team and everyone at BMW Motorsport. I think this result will give us a massive boost for the rest of the season. We all needed exactly that kind of result after the problems we had at the start of the season.”
Reactions to the seventh race of the 2015 DTM season.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the seventh race of the season in Zandvoort.
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Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That is obviously an absolute dream result. After a superb qualifying, we were able to take full advantage of the good starting position. Marco Wittmann got off to a great start and had a great race. The same goes for António Félix da Costa, with the best DTM race of his career, and Tom Blomqvist, who scored his first DTM points. However, all the drivers did a great job today. Only Martin Tomczyk was unlucky and failed to finish due to a technical problem. We had not bargained on this kind of historic result. Above all, it was a team performance – and is good for everyone after recent weeks. However, we know not to get too carried away with this result. We cannot solve all the problems overnight. Zandvoort suits us, and the weight situation certainly helped. This season has shown how quickly things can change in the DTM. However, it does suggest that all our hard work is taking us in the right direction. And it feels great to see the spirit within our team. We will need that over the coming months. We are now looking ahead to tomorrow, and hoping for a good result.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG): “There is nothing better for a team principal than to stand on the podium with both of his drivers. That is an emotional high for us. The thanks for this performance go to everyone in my team and BMW Motorsport. That was a fantastic performance from everyone after such a difficult start to the season. We are now fully motivated to do well tomorrow too.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 1st place): “It feels awesome to be back on the top step of the podium. I am incredibly happy. That is not only a great success for me, but for the team and everyone at BMW Motorsport. I think this result will give us a massive boost for the rest of the season. We all needed exactly that kind of result after the problems we have had at the start of the season.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 2nd place): “I am incredibly happy for myself, of course, as it has been a tough journey so far. We worked so hard for that. However, I am also very happy to give something back to BMW Motorsport. They have always believed in me and given me this opportunity. I am a really happy man today.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 3rd place): “This is a great day for BMW – and for me, of course. To stand on the podium after a race in which we occupied places one to seven is a great feeling. We made history today, and I was part of it. After the opening race weekends, which did not go to plan, this success will do everyone at BMW Motorsport good. This is my first podium appearance since my win in Moscow in 2014. We all start from scratch again tomorrow, but, as far as I am concerned, long may it continue this way.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 4th place): “The result was obviously fantastic for BMW as a whole. It gives us a big boost after the disappointments of the first few races. Unfortunately it did not go entirely to plan for me personally. My clutch slipped at the start, which resulted in me losing a few places. After that we all had similar pace. I will now aim for pole position again tomorrow, and then a place on the podium. I have a score to settle with Zandvoort.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 5th place): “The race went very well. Starting from ninth, I soon made up places. Unfortunately my qualifying was not ideal, otherwise I could have started from further up the grid. On the whole, however, I am delighted with this fantastic result for BMW Motorsport. After our difficult start to the season, this is a magnificent comeback.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 6th place): “Unfortunately I had major problems with the clutch, which prevented me from getting away well at the start. After that I was stuck behind Tom Blomqvist, which put a lot of strain on my tyres. Despite this, I managed to get past Tom at some point and then benefitted from mistakes by the opposition. For me, personally, sixth place is a positive step, while the result is obviously awesome for BMW. Congratulations to Marco Wittmann. I am happy that he so emphatically disproved my prediction that we would not win a race this season.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, 7th place): “The race went really well. I had a good start and pulled straight ahead of Timo Glock. After that I found myself stuck behind Jamie Green and had problems looking after my tyres. It started to get difficult for me about halfway into the race, and I lost my place to Timo. Despite this, I am obviously delighted with this fantastic result for BMW.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, DNF): “The car had a technical problem. During the Safety Car period it suddenly started to emit smoke from the engine area. Unfortunately I could not continue. I will now look ahead and hope things work out better tomorrow. All the same, congratulations to the entire BMW team on this result.”
Félix da Costa lands the first pole position of his DTM career.
One day after the first podium of his DTM career in Zandvoort, António Félix da Costa is on pole for the first time.
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The BMW Team Schnitzer driver clocked the fastest time of 1:30.483 minutes in the second qualifying at the 4.307-kilometre “Circuit Park Zandvoort”. This made his Red Bull BMW M4 DTM just 58 thousandths of a second faster than Bruno Spengler’s car, who qualified second in the BMW Bank M4 DTM. Places three and four also went to BMW drivers, in the form of Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Saturday’s winner Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM).
Timo Glock also made it into the top ten, qualifying seventh in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM. However, he then had to pull over at the side of the track on his way back to the pit lane. Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts BMW M4 DTM) were 11th and 13th. Tom Blomqvist was held up by another competitor on his flying lap, which prevented him from qualifying any higher than 21st.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“This weekend has been fantastic for us so far. I am very comfortable in my car and feel I have everything under control. I am obviously pleased for myself, but above all this is great for BMW. The circuit here in Zandvoort suits us, and we are getting the tyres to work well for us. In my opinion, that is what is making the difference compared to previous races. The qualifying result is fantastic. We must now wait and see how the race pans out.” – António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 1st)
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Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length:
Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4.307 kilometres
Conditions:
Cloudy, 17 degrees Celsius
Pole time:
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer), 1:30.483 minutes
BMW Motorsport results*:
#13 António Félix da Costa, BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM
1:30.483 minutes – 1st
#7 Bruno Spengler, BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM
1:30.541 minutes – 2nd
#18 Augusto Farfus, BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM
1:30.623 minutes – 3rd
#1 Marco Wittmann, BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM
1:30.650 minutes – 4th
#16 Timo Glock, BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM
1:30.834 minutes – 7th
#36 Maxime Martin, BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM
1:30.908 minutes – 11th
#77 Martin Tomczyk, BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM
1:30.970 minutes – 13th
#31 Tom Blomqvist, BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM
1:31.425 minutes – 21st
*The official starting grid may differ from the provisional qualifying results published in this release.
Useful information:
António Félix da Costa has never started a DTM race from pole position before. His previous best was third on the grid.
As in Saturday’s first qualifying session, four BMW M4 DTMs occupied the top four positions.
Each of the four BMW teams has one driver in the top four. This is BMW Team Schnitzer’s first pole position since the finale of the 2013 season in Hockenheim.
António Félix da Costa’s best time in Sunday’s qualifying was almost eight tenths of a second quicker than the fastest time clocked by Augusto Farfus on Saturday.
The eighth of this year’s 18 DTM races begins at 14:10hrs local time.
Félix da Costa claims his first DTM win of in Zandvoort – Five BMW M4 DTMs out in front.
First pole position, first win: António Félix da Costa crowned a perfect Sunday’s racing at “Circuit Park Zandvoort” with the first victory of his DTM career.
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Having made a perfect start from pole position, he was then able to defend the lead for the entire 60-minute race in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, crossing the finish line in first place.
He was followed home by another four BMW drivers: Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM), Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM), Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM). One day after the historic top-seven shut-out, they occupied the top five positions for BMW Motorsport for the third time in the history of the DTM.
Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) and Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) finished 17th and 18th. Having failed to finish on Saturday, Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) was unlucky again on Sunday and had to retire following a collision.
Reactions to the eighth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After yesterday’s result, we were able to achieve another top result in race two, although it was much tougher today. It is obviously fantastic to see so many BMW drivers so far up the field. After yesterday’s excellent second place, António Félix da Costa went one better and claimed his first win in the DTM today – the first Portuguese driver ever to do so. He drove a good race. It was not easy for him, as he had all his fellow BMW drivers behind him. António and BMW Team Schnitzer worked hard for that win. They have not always had it easy in recent months. Congratulations to António and Schnitzer! Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann also had a great second race. Martin Tomczyk was unlucky again, but had once again shown his fighting spirit before his retirement. Maxime Martin and Tom Blomqvist at least managed to finish in the points on Saturday. All in all, my summary of the weekend is obviously a very positive one. Everything came together for us. However, given the overall situation, we remain realistic in our evaluation of the weekend: the opposition is extremely strong – much stronger than it may have appeared here. The way the DTM is at the moment, it is coming down to mere details from one racetrack to the next. The differences in qualifying times are always extremely small. Importantly, our team spirit is very strong. We will need that over the coming months. We must continue to work hard. I would like to dedicate this success to the entire team, of whom I am very proud. Everybody worked very hard for that. Today we will celebrate, but we start from scratch again in Spielberg.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 1st place): “I am speechless. What a fantastic weekend. My first podium in the DTM yesterday was fantastic enough. But today was just perfect, with pole position and my first win. I am enjoying every moment. I have come through a difficult time. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for the support – and thanks to the guys at BMW Team Schnitzer, of course. I am now really looking forward to the home race of my Red Bull BMW M4 DTM in Spielberg.”
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Reactions to the fourth race weekend of the 2015 DTM season.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, BMW Team Schnitzer team principal Charly Lamm, and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the race weekend in Zandvoort.
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Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After yesterday’s result, we were able to achieve another top result in race two, although it was much tougher today. It is obviously fantastic to see so many BMW drivers so far up the field. After yesterday’s excellent second place, António Félix da Costa went one better and claimed his first win in the DTM today – the first Portuguese driver ever to do so. He drove a good race. It was not easy for him, as he had all his fellow BMW drivers behind him. António and BMW Team Schnitzer worked hard for that win. They have not always had it easy in recent months. Congratulations to António and Schnitzer! Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann also had a great second race. Martin Tomczyk was unlucky again, but had once again shown his fighting spirit before his retirement. Maxime Martin and Tom Blomqvist at least managed to finish in the points on Saturday. All in all, my summary of the weekend is obviously a very positive one. Everything came together for us. However, given the overall situation, we remain realistic in our evaluation of the weekend: the opposition is extremely strong – much stronger than it may have appeared here. The way the DTM is at the moment, it is coming down to mere details from one racetrack to the next. The differences in qualifying times are always extremely small. Importantly, our team spirit is very strong. We will need that over the coming months. We must continue to work hard. I would like to dedicate this success to the entire team, of whom I am very proud. Everybody worked very hard for that. Today we will celebrate, but we start from scratch again in Spielberg.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer): “That feels fantastic. The DTM is so fiercely competitive, and it is so extremely difficult to win that it comes as an enormous relief to be back on the top step of the podium after over two years. I am delighted for everyone in the team. Everyone has worked incredibly hard. António crowned a perfect weekend with victory on Sunday. He deserved that success. I feel sorry for Martin Tomczyk, who got off to a very good start in both races and could have scored a lot of points. Unfortunately, though, he was really unlucky in both races.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun: 1st place, Sat.: 2nd place): “I am speechless. What a fantastic weekend. My first podium in the DTM yesterday was fantastic enough. But today was just perfect, with pole position and my first win. I am enjoying every moment. I have come through a difficult time. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for the support – and thanks to the guys at BMW Team Schnitzer, of course. I am now really looking forward to the home race of my Red Bull BMW M4 DTM in Spielberg.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 2nd place, Sat.: 4th place): “I am very happy that I made it onto the podium this time. I said yesterday I had a score to settle with Zandvoort. I settled it today. I had a perfect car, and think I was a little bit faster than António in front of me in the second half of the race. However, it is virtually impossible to overtake on this track. Congratulations to him on his deserved first win in the DTM, and to BMW on two fantastic results. We are back after the difficult start to the season.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 3rd place, Sat.: 5th place): “I am really pleased with third place. The weekend was just awesome for BMW. After tough race weekends at the start of the season, we have fought back well. BMW Motorsport and my team have done a great job. My car was perfect today. Unfortunately I lost a place after the pit stop. We had to wait a bit, in order not to risk an ‘unsafe release’. Despite this, it was still a great day. Hopefully the season will continue this way. I am already looking forward to Spielberg.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 4th place, Sat.: 6th place): “I think I can be very happy with what we achieved today. We improved continuously over the course of the race weekend, and I had a very good car. Thank you very much to my guys at BMW Team MTEK. It was thanks to a very good pit stop that I climbed into fourth place. Generally speaking, I am just missing a tiny little bit in qualifying, which would allow me to start from nearer the front of the field. I am delighted for my team-mate from last year, António. I think he was the fastest man over the course of the weekend. He deserved the win.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 5th place, Sat.: 1st place): “That was a superb weekend for BMW and me. I was delighted with the win on Saturday. I could have been on the podium on Sunday too, but unfortunately I got stuck behind my fellow BMW drivers at the start. After that I had some hard, but fair, battles with Miguel Molina. Unfortunately I damaged the car in the collision with Lucas Auer, but my pace was still good after that. However, I was just too far behind the cars in front to do anything about it.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 17th place, Sat.: 3rd place): “Being hit by Adrien Tambay was unfortunate. Generally speaking, it was hard fought out there in today’s race. Unfortunately I was one of the people to suffer and missed out on scoring more points. On the whole, however, I leave with a nice memory of my podium finish in Saturday’s race. I am still delighted with that, as I am with the two fantastic results for BMW Motorsport.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 18th place, Sat.: 7th place): “My problem on Sunday was not the race. It was qualifying. Unfortunately I was held up on my fastest lap, and was unable to start from the position I actually should have been in. That made it a tough day. On the whole, however, I am pleased with my first DTM points on Saturday and with the outstanding overall result for BMW. I hope we can build on this in Spielberg.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun.: DNF, Sat.: DNF): “My start was excellent and I gained five places. Timo Glock was just in front of me, and he finished fourth. So it could have been a good result. However, Lucas Auer held up the entire bunch on his used tyres. In that kind of situation, you get five or six cars in very close proximity. I was stuck in a sandwich, was shoved from behind and made contact with Miguel Molina. That released the fastening on my bonnet. That was it for me. Despite this it was generally a dream weekend for BMW, even if I personally left empty-handed. To see my BMW Team Schnitzer and my team-mate António winning here makes me really happy. Congratulations!”
Félix da Costa: "I never doubted that I could lead and win races."
The BMW drivers achieved an outstanding team result on the fourth race weekend. Félix da Costa secured his maiden pole position, before converting it to become the first Portuguese driver ever to win a DTM race.
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Three questions for... António Félix da Costa.
António, you were the man of the weekend in Zandvoort, with a pole position, a win and a second place. What does this success mean to you?
António Félix da Costa: “It is a fantastic feeling. When I came to the DTM, a year and a half ago, everything felt easy. The car was superb, BMW was very strong, and I was able to mix it at the front of the field from the word go. However, I then had a few problems. I suddenly struggled to get the balance of the car right, which meant I could not show BMW and the DTM what I was capable of. The second half of the 2014 season was really tough. In the winter I took a big step forward and really analysed my situation very closely. After a few problems for all the BMWs early on in the season, everything came together here in Zandvoort – and I am on the top step of the podium. I am obviously very proud of that.”
What is the most important thing you have learned over the past few months?
Félix da Costa: “My battles in the pack and the many tough races have generally made me a better DTM driver. You have to gain this experience to be stronger moving forward. At the same time, I never doubted that I could lead and win races if everything fell into place. That was finally the case here, and I kept my word and proved that I can win.”
You have now earned your place in the long success story of BMW Team Schnitzer...
Félix da Costa: “That means an awful lot to me. It is unbelievable to enjoy success with such an experienced and iconic team – and with a fantastic team principal like Charly Lamm. Whenever I am in Freilassing, I marvel at the trophies and the long stories you find everywhere there. Now I am a part of all that.”
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Reactions to the fifth race weekend of the 2015 DTM season.
02.08.2015
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Spielberg (AT) 02nd August 2015. BMW Motorsport, Race 10, Tom Blomqvist (GB) BMW M4 DTM, Augusto Farfus (BR) Shell BMW M4 DTM ...
Spielberg (AT), 2nd August 2015. BMW Motorsport endured a disappointing race weekend at the Red Bull Ring (AT). Augusto Farfus (BR) and Marco Wittmann (DE) came home sixth and ninth to score points in Saturday’s race. On Sunday, the BMW M4 DTM drivers struggled on the wet track and all finished outside the top ten. António Félix da Costa (PT) was the best-placed BMW driver in 11th place.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the race weekend in Spielberg.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “On the whole, this has been a very difficult weekend for us. Even in dry conditions on Saturday we did not manage to get the best out of our package, with only Augusto Farfus and Marco Wittmann finishing in the points. A tough qualifying session meant that we were always going to have to rely on strategy to get a good result today. For this to be the case, we would have needed a safety car. That never happened. Therefore, 11th is our best finish. We are obviously not satisfied with that. The weekend in Spielberg marks the end of the first half of the season – one that has not turned out as we had hoped. The highlight was obviously our outstanding victories in Zandvoort. However, the other races showed that we are not where we want to be compared to our strong opponents. Up until now we have been consistently successful in the three seasons since our return to the DTM, winning six of a possible nine titles. 2015 has been a tough year for us so far. Recent races have shown just how evenly balanced the DTM is. The tiniest of details can make the difference between battling for the win and racing in the middle of the field. We will now work hard to come back stronger in the second half of the season. I am sure it has been an exciting first half of the season for the fans, with many highlights and positive developments. The new race format, with a race on Saturday and Sunday, has been a total success. Proof of this comes in the consistently high viewing figures on TV, and the way it has been received by spectators at the circuits.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun: 11th place, Sat.: 13th place): “We did what we could with the speed we had. I only made one little mistake, and that cost me a few seconds. All in all, I was able to climb a few places. That is a good sign. The weather meant the conditions out there were pretty tough.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 12th place, Sat.: 9th place): “When it comes to it, we must try to take something positive out of today. Our strategy of pitting early and staying clear of any unnecessary battles worked well. This allowed us to make up several positions. Unfortunately we were not rewarded with any points. However, it is obviously difficult to make it into the top ten from 21st on the grid. All in all it has been a tough weekend for us. It is a shame, as I like the track and had had some good races here up until now. We must now put our heads together and see what we can improve for Moscow.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun.: 13th place, Sat.: DNF): “The conditions were decisive today. Our car was very difficult to drive in these conditions. That was particularly apparent in the middle of the race. That start and finish were pretty good, but we were fighting a lost cause. It is obviously a shame, but we will not give in. We will now analyse what went wrong, draw the necessary conclusions, and hope to come back stronger.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 15th place, Sat.: 19th place): “Compared to our really poor qualifying, the race was far better. As far as the pace was concerned, we could even have been pushing for points. However, I made two mistakes. I skidded into the gravel bed and lost valuable seconds. At times visibility was really poor. This has not been our weekend. We must now work hard to ensure we have a better second half of the season.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 16th place, Sat.: 15th place): “In these conditions, with the rain and spray, it was difficult to see anything. However, I have to say that we were clearly lacking speed in Spielberg. We were constantly battling out there on the track. We must now see what we can learn from this weekend, to make sure we improve for the next race in Moscow.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 19th place, Sat.: 6th place): “We just did not have the speed to match the pace at the front in these conditions. There is not a lot more you can say about that race. All in all, I scored nearly all the points for BMW in Spielberg with my sixth place on Saturday. That is obviously not good enough.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 20th place, Sat.: 14th place): “It was a very difficult race today. Just staying on the track was far from easy. All the BMW drivers struggled in the rain. I lost the car at some point in nearly every braking manoeuvre. It was really unpredictable. Now we can only hope to come back stronger again in Moscow.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: DNF, Sat.: 17th place): “That was not my race at all. Visibility was really poor, and I was battling the entire time. I am struggling to find an explanation. We will now take a good look to see what it could be down to. This weekend has been one to forget.”
DTM standings.
Drivers' Championship.
Mattias Ekström (111 points), 2. Edoardo Mortara (98), 3. Pascal Wehrlein (94), 4. Jamie Green (81), 5. Gary Paffett (61), 6. Robert Wickens (57), 7. Christian Vietoris (54), 8. Bruno Spengler (52), 9. Marco Wittmann (51), 10. António Félix da Costa (43), 11. Augusto Farfus (43), 12. Mike Rockenfeller (41), 13. Paul di Resta (39), 14. Maxime Martin (32), 15. Miguel Molina (27), 16. Timo Glock (25), 17. Timo Scheider (24), 18. Nico Müller (22), 19. Martin Tomczyk (20), 20. Daniel Juncadella (14), 21. Lucas Auer (8), 22. Tom Blomqvist (6), 23. Maximilian Götz (4), 24. Adrien Tambay (3).
Team Championship.
gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (148 points), 2. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (138), 3. Audi Sport Team Rosberg (103), 4. Audi Sport Team Abt (101), 5. SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (96), 6. BMW Team RMG (83), 7. BMW Team MTEK (77), 8. EURONICS/BWT Mercedes-AMG (69), 9. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (65), 10. BMW Team Schnitzer (63), 11. BMW Team RBM (49), 12. PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG (18).
Manufacturers' Championship.
Audi (407 points), 2. Mercedes-Benz (331), 3. BMW (247).
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The DTM champion is on the pole position.
Marco Wittmann was unbeatable in qualifying for race eleven of the DTM season in Moscow.
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The BMW Team RMG driver completed a flying lap of the 3.931-kilometre “Moscow Raceway” in a time of 1:28.810 seconds at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM, making him over a tenth of a second faster than his closest rivals. This was the fifth pole position of Wittmann’s DTM career, and the 47th time that BMW will start from the very front of the grid in the DTM.
Wittmann was joined in the top ten by a further three BMW DTM drivers. Timo Glock clocked the fourth fastest time in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM to achieve his best qualifying result of the season. Rookie Tom Blomqvist enjoyed the highest finish of his DTM career so far, qualifying fifth in his BMW M4 DTM. Bruno Spengler was seventh fastest in the BMW Bank M4 DTM.
Last year’s winner Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) had to settle for 16th place, ahead of António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM). Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) will start from 21st and 23rd.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“It was fantastic. I felt good on the first run but made the odd mistake here and there. As such, I knew that I could go even faster with the second set of tyres, and that was the case. We made a slight change to the tyre pressure for the second set, which proved to be the right step. The lap was perfect. I felt very comfortable. It is great to be at the very front and make a good start to the weekend. Pole position is obviously the best possible start.” – Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 1st)
Wittmann and Spengler on the podium.
Two BMW drivers made it onto the podium in race eleven of the DTM season in Moscow.
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Pole-sitter Marco Wittmann of BMW Team RMG led for most of the race in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM, but was passed by Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes) in the final few minutes of the race after an enthralling battle. The reigning DTM champion eventually came home second. BMW Team MTEK driver Bruno Spengler, BMW Bank M4 DTM) finished third, courtesy of an impressive overtaking manoeuvre in the final corner.
DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) was also in the points in eighth place. António Félix da Costa, at the wheel of the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, came home just outside the points in eleventh. Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM), Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) and Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) finished 15th, 17th and 18th. Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) failed to finish after crashing out as a result of a collision with Mattias Ekström (Audi) whilst running fourth.
Reactions to the ninth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was an exciting race with a great and fair battle at the head of the field. Marco Wittmann was able to defend his lead until just before the finish and ultimately came home in an impressive second place. Bruno Spengler fought his way onto the podium with a sensational overtaking manoeuvre on the final lap, like the one we saw at the Norisring. Tom Blomqvist also came away with some points following his best DTM qualifying result so far. It is a shame for Timo Glock, who was involved in a collision, through no fault of his own, which brought his race to a premature end. We are happy to have two cars on the podium and are looking forward to what we hope will be an equally exciting race tomorrow. Congratulations to Pascal Wehrlein and Mercedes-Benz on their win.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 2nd): “I had a good start and was initially able to defend my lead well. Unfortunately, I was not able to get outside the DRS window. When Pascal Wehrlein started to attack me, it was soon apparent that I would not have a chance against him. Even with the use of DRS once he had passed me, I was not able to go with him. As such, I am obviously happy with second place, even though I would obviously have preferred to have won from pole.”
Bruno Spengler starts from the front row.
The BMW DTM drivers secured good starting positions in qualifying ahead of the 12th race of the season in Moscow.
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BMW Team MTEK driver Bruno Spengler was third fastest at the wheel of the BMW Bank M4 DTM. His time of 1:28.580 minutes was just 0.040 seconds slower than that of Mike Rockenfeller (Audi) who starts from pole position. As second-placed Mattias Ekström (Audi) has been relegated three places on the grid as a result of his collision with Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) on Saturday, Spengler will line up next to Rockenfeller on the front row.
Last year’s winner Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) also benefitted from Ekström’s penalty: the BMW Team RMG driver set the fourth fastest time, meaning he starts the race from third on the grid. A further three BMW drivers qualified in the top ten, in the form of Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM), Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) in places eight, nine and ten.
Glock ended the session at the 3.931-kilometre “Moscow Raceway” in 14th place. António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) were 21st and 24th. The two BMW Team Schnitzer drivers will also start from one place further up the grid, however, following a grid penalty handed to one of their opponents.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“Qualifying was very good. I had an excellent car. I actually thought it would be tricky today, as our opponents were very strong in yesterday’s race. I am just 40 thousandths of a second behind Mike Rockenfeller. That shows how close it is here. It is a good result for us. As Mattias Ekström has been relegated, I will start the race from second place on the front row of the grid. That is always good, and I obviously hope to make the most of it.” – Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 3rd)
Second place for BMW driver Spengler in Moscow.
Bruno Spengler of BMW Team MTEK made his second appearance of the weekend on the podium after race two in Moscow.
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After his third-place finish on Saturday, the Canadian went one better at the wheel of the BMW Bank M4 DTM on Sunday. Spengler finished runner-up – his best result of the season. Victory in the twelfth race of the DTM season went to Mike Rockenfeller (Audi).
BMW came close to repeating Saturday’s achievement and landing two drivers on the podium on Sunday. However, Maxime Martin surrendered third place to Mattias Ekström (SE, Audi) just minutes before the end of the race after a lengthy battle for the final podium spot. Last year’s winner crossed the finish line fourth in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM. His team-mate at BMW Team RMG, Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM), followed yesterday’s second place with a seventh place in race two at the “Moscow Raceway”.
Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) finished just outside the points in eleventh and twelfth. Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) came home 17th and 23rd. Martin Tomczyk failed to finish in the BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM.
Reactions to the 12th race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “We can be happy with our outing here in Moscow. After two podiums yesterday, Bruno Spengler finished a very impressive second today. Unfortunately he was not quite able to make it onto the very top step. Maxime Martin battled hard to finish fourth and score some good points. Marco Wittmann was our third car in the top ten, finishing seventh. This racetrack has been a happy stomping ground for us: since Moscow has been included in the race calendar, we have always finished on the podium here. After three race weekends in a row abroad, we are now looking forward to the final third of the season in Germany. Congratulations to Mike Rockenfeller and Audi.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 2nd): “After my third place yesterday, that was a fantastic result. Thank you very much to my team. The team was able to make even more significant improvements to the car, which allowed me to clock consistent lap times today. I am happy to have scored a lot of points in Russia, thanks to my two podium finishes. Unfortunately I was held up by Lucas Auer in the middle of the race – as were a few other drivers. Fortunately I was able to overtake him and then hang on to second place.”
Run of podium finishes continues.
BMW drivers followed in the footsteps of Augusto Farfus in 2013 and Maxime Martin last year to finish on the podium at this year’s DTM races in Moscow.
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Marco Wittmann finished runner-up on Saturday, followed in third place by Bruno Spengler. Spengler went one better in race two, ending Sunday’s race in second place. In total, the BMW drivers scored 73 points in Russia.
Three questions for... Bruno Spengler.
Bruno, how would you sum up the races in Moscow?
Bruno Spengler: “I leave Russia with a positive feeling. Unfortunately I did not quite manage to get a pole position or race win. However, I can obviously be very happy with third place on Saturday and second in Sunday’s race. I scored a lot of points for BMW Team MTEK. I finished runner-up here last year too. Moscow seems to suit me.”
Both DTM races at the “Moscow Raceway” were quite eventful for you...
Spengler: “Yes, there was quite a lot going on. On Saturday I managed to overtake Jamie Green in the final corner to make it onto the podium. In Sunday’s race, the early stages were very fiercely contested. I had a great battle with Mike Rockenfeller. Everything was fair. That is what motorsport should be all about. Even the pit stops were exciting. My team had a great strategy. Unfortunately I was not quite able to match Mike’s pace and he pulled clear. However, I came home second in the end.”
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
Spengler: “I want to score as many points as possible in the remaining races. We will have to see whether we will always be good enough for a place on the podium. Whatever happens, we will never stop fighting.”
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Glock claims first pole position - Best qualifying result for BMW since 2012.
The wait is over after his 33rd DTM event: Timo Glock will start from pole position for the first time since switching to the series.
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In qualifying ahead of the 13th race of the season in Oschersleben, Glock clocked the fastest time of 1:19.821 minutes at the wheel of the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM. That made him 0.056 seconds faster than Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) in second place.
The duo on the front row are followed by a further three BMW drivers in places three to five, in the form of Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM), whose third place was the best qualifying result of his rookie season so far, António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) and Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM). Glock’s performance earned BMW its 48th pole position in the DTM and, with the top five on the grid, is the best qualifying result since returning to the DTM in 2012.
Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) also qualified in the top ten in seventh and eighth place respectively. Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) clocked the twelfth fastest time.
The start times of all the DTM sessions were delayed due to thick fog. As such, qualifying started one hour later than expected at 12:00, immediately after free practice two, which was reduced to 25 minutes. The 13th of this season’s 18 DTM races gets underway at 14:55 local time.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“This result feels incredibly good, as the past few races have been difficult for us. I can only thank my team. We went for a long ‘track walk’, during which we discussed a lot of things, and tried out a few things that seem to have worked well for us. I noticed as soon as the first lap that things were going to work out really well. I got the max out of the car everywhere. It was more difficult on the second lap, as there were a relatively large number of cars on the track. Then we had the yellow flag in the final few seconds. From that point, I just crossed my fingers and hoped that everything turned out well. I am obviously really happy now, and pleased for everyone at BMW Team MTEK to get my first pole position in the DTM.” – Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 1st place)
Timo Glock wins from pole in Oschersleben.
Timo Glock claimed the second victory of his DTM career in race 13 of the season in Oschersleben.
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At the end of the 28-lap race, the BMW Team MTEK driver in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM crossed the finish line 1.876 seconds ahead of team-mate Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM). Glock led from start to finish, having secured pole position for the first time since making his debut in the DTM. His first DTM victory came in the final race of the 2013 season in Hockenheim.
The victory was BMW’s 67th in the DTM, while BMW Team MTEK and its principal Ernest Knoors celebrated the first one-two in the team’s history. António Félix da Costa joined Glock and Spengler on the podium, finishing on the bottom step of the podium for the third time this season in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM. Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) completed the top-four lock-out for BMW at the “Motorsport Arena”.
Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM), Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) and Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) also picked up points in sixth, seventh and eighth. Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) crossed the line eleventh to narrowly miss out on a place in the top ten.
Reactions to the 13th race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “This is a fantastic result for us. We were very strong when we tested here, and were able to underline that strength today. Timo Glock produced a great, flawless race to claim his second victory in the DTM. He was unbeatable today. Bruno Spengler, António Félix da Costa and Augusto Farfus also performed strongly to finish in second to fourth places. This was the first one-two for BMW Team MTEK and all four BMW teams had drivers in the top six. A further three BMWs in the top ten round off a dream result for us – and in front packed stands. We don’t have much time to celebrate today. We are back in business tomorrow and hope to achieve a similar result.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 1st): “This victory feels fantastic. It was hugely enjoyable to drive the car today. However, I had to push in the race. I wanted to get out of the DRS window as soon as possible, to avoid the threat posed by my team-mate Bruno Spengler. I fought like a lion all race and was rewarded with my second DTM win. I am pleased for my team that our work has finally paid off and we even managed a one-two. The guys deserved that.”
Reactions to the 13th race of the 2015 DTM season.
Top-four lock-out for BMW Motorsport in race 13 of the DTM season in Oschersleben: Timo Glock claimed the second victory of his DTM career at “Motorsport Arena”, having previously secured pole position for the first time.
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Runner-up Bruno Spengler completed the first one-two in the DTM for BMW Team MTEK. António Félix da Costa and Augusto Farfus came home third and fourth to round off a good day at the office for BMW.
Marco Wittmann, Tom Blomqvist and Martin Tomczyk finished sixth, seventh and eighth to pick up plenty of points for BMW in the Manufacturers’ Championship.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the 13th race of the season in Oschersleben.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “This is a fantastic result for us. We were very strong when we tested here, and were able to underline that strength today. Timo Glock produced a great, flawless race to claim his second victory in the DTM. He was unbeatable today. Bruno Spengler, António Félix da Costa and Augusto Farfus also performed strongly to finish in second to fourth places. This was the first one-two for BMW Team MTEK and all four BMW teams had drivers in the top six. A further three BMWs in the top ten round off a dream result for us – and in front packed stands. We don’t have much time to celebrate today. We are back in business tomorrow and hope to achieve a similar result.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, 1st place): “This victory feels fantastic. It was hugely enjoyable to drive the car today. However, I had to push in the race. I wanted to get out of the DRS window as soon as possible, to avoid the threat posed by my team-mate Bruno Spengler. I fought like a lion all race and was rewarded with my second DTM win. I am pleased for my team that our work has finally paid off and we even managed a one-two. The guys deserved that.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 2nd place): “You don’t get to celebrate a one-two every day. This is a great result for my team. Congratulations to Timo Glock on his second DTM win. The whole performance from BMW was fantastic today. Everything went perfectly for us. I scored a lot of points and am now back in the title race in the Drivers’ Championship. We must still keep our feet on the ground but we have every reason to celebrate today.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 3rd place): “I was able to get the maximum out of our package again today. It feels great to be back on the podium. Congratulations to everyone at BMW Motorsport on this fantastic result. We will do our best to repeat today’s performance tomorrow.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, 4th place): “The race was okay. Unfortunately I locked up in the first corner and dropped back a bit. That cost me a place on the podium. Generally speaking, however, the pace of our car is outstanding. I think we can be in contention for a place on the podium again on Sunday.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 6th place): “Unfortunately seventh place in qualifying, when I was held up a bit by an opponent, was not good enough for me to be able to set my sights on the podium here. It is very difficult to overtake here, so I had to settle for sixth. Congratulations to Timo Glock, Bruno Spengler and BMW Team MTEK on the one-two.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, 7th place): “I actually got off to a good start, but found myself on the outside in turn one and had to go very wide to avoid a collision. Unfortunately that cost me a few places, which was obviously a great shame. My speed was excellent, so I could have finished much higher.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, 8th place): “The car felt far better in qualifying than it did in the race. For some reason I had hardly any grip and was not quite able to match the pace of my fellow BMW drivers. Congratulations to everyone on this fantastic result for BMW.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, 11th place): “It is very difficult to work your way forward from the middle of the pack at this circuit, as it is nearly impossible to overtake. As such, my problems started in qualifying. I then had some contact with other cars in the first corner. That did not exactly help.”
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Farfus and Blomqvist on the front row for BMW Team RBM.
As on Saturday, the front row of the grid for Sunday’s DTM race in Oschersleben will again feature two BMW M4 DTMs.
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Augusto Farfus secured the fifth pole position of his DTM career with a fastest time of 1:20.632 minutes at the wheel of the Shell BMW M4 DTM. This was the 49th pole of BMW’s history in the DTM and the sixth of the current season. Farfus is joined on the front row by his team-mate at BMW Team RBM, Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM). This represents the best starting position of the rookie’s DTM career.
António Félix da Costa set the fourth fastest time in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, with reigning champion Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) qualifying sixth. The winner of Saturday’s race, Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM), will start just behind him in seventh. The sixth BMW driver to make it into the top ten was Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM), who was tenth fastest. Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) and Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) qualified 12th and 15th.
Quote from the best-placed BMW driver.
“It is fantastic to be back on pole here in Oschersleben. We were competitive yesterday and qualified second, but then I dropped back a little in turn one. I want to do a better job today. We have pole – and we want to take advantage of that and hopefully go on to take the win. It is fantastic for BMW Team RBM that both Tom Blomqvist and I start together on the front row. The team works so hard, and this is their reward.” – Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, pole position)
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Blomqvist becomes youngest BMW winner in DTM history.
It took Tom Blomqvist (BMW M4 DTM) just 14 races to join the list of DTM winners in his rookie season.
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The BMW Team RBM rider led from start to finish to win Sunday’s race in Oschersleben in emphatic style. Blomqvist got off to a flying start from second on the grid, passing his team-mate Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) by the first corner and then wasting no time in pulling clear of the rest of the field. At the end of the 60-minute race at the “Motorsport Arena”, one thing was clear: at just 21 years of age, Blomqvist is the youngest BMW winner in the DTM ever. Only Pascal Wehrlein (Mercedes) has triumphed at a younger age. BMW claimed its 68th victory in the DTM.
Farfus crossed the finish line in second place behind Blomqvist to complete the first one-two for BMW Team RBM in the DTM. One day earlier, BMW Team MTEK had achieved the very same dream result. Reigning champion Marco Wittmann (Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) came home third to join them on the podium. António Félix da Costa (Red Bull BMW M4 DTM) finished fourth to round off a second successive top-four lock-out in the DTM for BMW.
Timo Glock (DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM), fresh from his victory in Saturday’s race, came home seventh this time. Maxime Martin (SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) and Bruno Spengler (BMW Bank M4 DTM) were ninth and tenth. As such, seven BMW drivers finished in the points – just as they did on Saturday. Martin Tomczyk (BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) had to settle for 20th place after receiving a drive-through penalty.
Reactions to the 14th race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was a sensational first win by our DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist. To find his feet so quickly in his first year, and to win a race in such dominant fashion, deserves the utmost respect. He is also one of the youngest winners in DTM history. Augusto Farfus also enjoyed a very impressive race, meaning BMW Team RBM was able to repeat the achievement of BMW Team MTEK yesterday and claim a one-two today. Marco Wittmann completed an all-BMW podium, while a further four BMWs finished in the top ten again. I am very happy with the outcome of the weekend here. We were able to make the very most of our opportunities, right across all the teams. I would like to pay a huge compliment to the entire team. I hope Lucas Auer is okay after his big crash.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, 1st place): “I am incredibly happy. This is perhaps the biggest day of my career so far. To win a race in my rookie season is fantastic. I noticed at the start of the season just how difficult it is to be successful in the DTM. Now everything came together this weekend and I managed to take the opportunity. It has made me hungry for more success.”
Reactions to the seventh race weekend of the 2015 DTM season.
BMW Motorsport claimed two top-four lock-outs at the seventh DTM race weekend of the season to move into the lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship.
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On Saturday, Timo Glock secured the first pole position of his DTM career, and went on to claim his second victory. Bruno Spengler finished runner-up to complete a one-two for BMW Team MTEK. António Félix da Costa and Augusto Farfus made it a top-four lock-out for BMW. Marco Wittmann, Tom Blomqvist and Martin Tomczyk were also in the points in sixth, seventh and eighth place respectively.
On Sunday it was time for Blomqvist to shine: the rookie finished ahead of his team-mate Farfus to claim his first win in the DTM. The result also presented BMW Team RBM with its first one-two. Wittmann and Félix da Costa came home third and fourth to round off the weekend with a second top-four lock-out for BMW. Glock, Maxime Martin and Spengler were seventh, ninth and tenth across the finish line. Blomqvist’s success means that all eight of the current BMW DTM drivers have won at least one DTM race.
Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, BMW Team RBM team principal Bart Mampaey and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the seventh race weekend of the season in Oschersleben.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “That was a sensational first win by our DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist. To find his feet so quickly in his first year, and to win a race in such dominant fashion, deserves the utmost respect. He is also one of the youngest winners in DTM history. Augusto Farfus also enjoyed a very impressive race, meaning BMW Team RBM was able to repeat the achievement of BMW Team MTEK yesterday and claim a one-two today. Marco Wittmann completed an all-BMW podium, while a further four BMWs finished in the top ten again. I am very happy with the outcome of the weekend here. We were able to make the very most of our opportunities, right across the teams. I would like to pay a huge compliment to the entire team. I hope Lucas Auer is okay after his big crash.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM): “This is an unbelievable result for our team. Both cars were fast on Saturday, but we managed to get the maximum out of the package on Sunday. I am really pleased for Tom Blomqvist, as it is a really exceptional effort to win a race in your rookie season. I am also very happy for Augusto Farfus. I would like to say a big thank you to BMW Motorsport and every single member of our team. We have worked extremely hard to get back to winning ways in this incredibly evenly-matched racing series. And we have now done that with a one-two. This is a very special day.”
Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Sun: 1st place, Sat: 7th place): “I am incredibly happy. This is perhaps the biggest day of my career so far. To win a race in my rookie season is fantastic. I noticed at the start of the season just how difficult it is to be successful in the DTM. Now everything came together this weekend and I managed to take the opportunity. It has made me hungry for more success.”
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team RBM, Sun: 2nd place, Sat: 4th place): “I am very happy with this weekend: I scored 30 points and made a big move up the Drivers’ Championship standings. I am also very pleased for Tom Blomqvist. He literally flew round the track, and deserved his first win. I had slight problems with the clutch at the start, and had to let him past. It is fantastic that we ended up with a one-two for our team.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Sun: 3rd place, Sat: 6th place): “That was a dream result for me today. I got off to a superb start, immediately passing two of the cars in front of me. After the pit stop, I put António Félix da Costa under pressure and was able to overtake him. Our goal was to finish on the podium. We achieved that with third place. Today we have good cause for celebration after the second top-four lock-out for BMW. Congratulations also to Tom Blomqvist on his first DTM win. That was a great performance from him.”
António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun: 4th place, Sat: 3rd place): “That was one of my most difficult races this season. It is not easy to keep someone as fast as Pascal Wehrlein behind you, but I did not make any mistakes and so was able to defend my position. Unfortunately I was not quite able to match the pace of my fellow BMW drivers up front, which meant I was unable to finish on the podium. All in all, however, it was a very good and consistent weekend for me. That is something I can build on. Congratulations to Tom Blomqvist on winning in his rookie season.”
Timo Glock (BMW Team MTEK, Sun: 7th place, Sat: 1st place): “Our pace on Saturday was better than on Sunday. However, we finished in the points again. That was a good performance. But Saturday’s victory was obviously awesome. Thank you very much to my team for this fantastic weekend. Congratulations to Tom Blomqvist on his win. He drove like someone from a different planet today. Generally speaking, BMW once again made the most of its opportunities. I now hope we will also be quick at the Nürburgring. We will certainly do our very best.”
Maxime Martin (BMW Team RMG, Sun: 9th place, Sat: 11th place): “On Sunday we had the pace to finish further up the field, but unfortunately I got stuck in the middle of the pack after a good start. I also lost a position during the pit stop. Considering that, to finish in the points having started from 14th on the grid is a good result. The speed of the car seems to be back. Congratulations to my fellow BMW drivers on their podium finishes.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun: 10th place, Sat: 2nd place): “I actually lost Sunday’s race in qualifying, when I was held up. That meant I had to start from down in tenth place on the grid. From there it is impossible to make up many places on a track like this, on which it is nearly impossible to overtake. What’s more, the pace of my car was not as good on Sunday as it was on Saturday. Looking ahead to the rest of the season, we have to make sure that our speed is more consistent.”
Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun: 20th place, Sat: 8th place): “That was obviously a disappointing end to that race. I had a fantastic start and could have scored a lot of points today. Unfortunately, that was all destroyed by a drive-through penalty. All in all it was another tough weekend for me. Congratulations to BMW and my fellow drivers on this weekend’s two top-four lock-outs.”
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Rookie Blomqvist claims maiden DTM win.
In Sunday’s race, it was Tom Blomqvist of BMW Team RBM who emerged as the dominant driver. The Brit earned a place in the history books as the youngest BMW winner in the DTM.
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Three questions for … Tom Blomqvist.
Tom, did you think you would win a race in your first season in the DTM?
Tom Blomqvist: “You obviously always hope you will get a win under your belt. The start of the season was really tough for me. I noticed that it is far from easy to be among the front-runners in this series. The standard of the competition is incredibly high. When everything does come together, you have to take your opportunity – and today was one of those days. I am obviously hungry for more now!”
Let’s talk about the race: you moved into the lead immediately after the start. After that, you wasted little time in pulling clear of the rest of the field...
Blomqvist: “The start was key. I knew it would be easier for me if I could get into the lead. I feel far more comfortable when I can pull away at the front. That is what I am used to from single-seater racing. In single-seater racing cars, you do not follow so close as you can in the DTM. As soon as I was out in front and had a clear track in front of me, I knew I just had to drive every lap as though it was a qualifying lap. The car was very good. I was able to open a gap ahead of Augusto, and returned to the track with a healthy lead after the pit stop. I was actually never under any great pressure. However, it was a long race.”
Will you now set yourself higher goals for the final few races of the season?
Blomqvist: “You have to. It is fantastic to have got my first win under my belt. I have now achieved that goal. It is just wonderful to get out there and bring home this win after not having picked up too many points in the previous races. We are now looking for similar success in the closing stages of the season.”
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2015 DTM season reaches the business end: BMW teams visit the iconic Nürburgring.
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Munich (DE), 21st September 2015. The DTM is at the Nürburgring (DE) this weekend for races 15 and 16 of the season. It is the final showdown in the exciting series before the grand finale in Hockenheim (DE) on 17th/18th October. The BMW teams travel to the Eifel Mountains brimming with confidence on the back of impressive recent outings in Oschersleben (DE). Furthermore, BMW lines up as leader in the Manufacturers’ Championship for the first time this season.
BMW Team MTEK and BMW Team RBM both stood out at the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben”, each claiming a one-two on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The weekend in the “Magdeburger Börde” region is also one that DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist (GB) will not forget in a hurry. The young Brit claimed his maiden DTM win for BMW Team RBM.
Although they must now line up with considerably more performance weight on board their BMW M4 DTM, the eight BMW drivers have their sights set firmly on scoring more valuable points on the 3.629-kilometre variant of the Nürburgring. Since 1984, this circuit has been a permanent fixture on the DTM calendar. BMW drivers did contest a number of races on the 20-kilometre Nordschleife in the 1980s and 1990s. In total, BMW Motorsport so far has ten DTM victories at the Nürburgring to its name.
Last year, pole-sitter Marco Wittmann (DE) led from start to finish to claim a valuable win en route to the Drivers’ title and present BMW Team RMG with its first home win in the Eifel Mountains. The 25-year-old also clocked the fastest lap of the race in a time of 1:23.175 – a track record in a DTM car.
Quotes ahead of the eighth race weekend of 2015 at the Nürburgring.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“After the successful weekend in Oschersleben, we now arrive at the Nürburgring leading the Manufacturers’ Championship. This is obviously only a snap-shot, and we will not let it go to our heads. We remain realistic, as there is a very thin line between success and defeat this season in the DTM. Whatever happens, I am very pleased that we are proving to be strong across the broad in 2015. When our overall package allows it, we have taken our chances to win and scored valuable points with many drivers. It will certainly not be easy in the Eifel Mountains. Despite this, we will do everything in our power to score as many points as possible. After all, we want to put on a great show out on the track for all the BMW fans at the ring – of whom there are traditionally a lot. We are looking forward to the weekend, as the races at the Nürburgring are always rather special.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“We will always remember our victory at the Nürburgring in 2014. That success, on our own doorstep, was very special – and it goes without saying that we are looking forward to our home event again this season. The DTM remains exciting, and the latest results have shown that anything is still possible. We will be fully focussed on that fact again at the Nürburgring. We have to remain on the ball.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“BMW Team Schnitzer has many fond memories of the Nürburgring. Our successes at the 24-hour race were obviously special milestones, but Bruno Spengler’s DTM victory en route to winning the 2012 Drivers’ Championship was also a highlight. We scored points with both drivers in Oschersleben, and António Félix da Costa made it onto the podium. That felt good, and we are looking to build on that success in the Eifel Mountains, although they will certainly not be easy races.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“Sunday’s one-two in Oschersleben has obviously given us a big boost. My team has worked so hard all season, and we have now deservedly reaped our reward. Despite this, it will be a big challenge to produce another strong performance at the Nürburgring. We have often seen how the balance of power can shift from one weekend to the next in the DTM this season. Despite this, we are looking forward to the two races in the Eifel Mountains.”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“Our one-two in Oschersleben was a very special success for our team – undoubtedly the biggest in our DTM history. We are obviously looking to carry that momentum into the weekend at the Nürburgring. The circumstances there are obviously completely different. However, with a good performance in qualifying, we should be able to set our sights on the points again in the Eifel Mountains.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 1, BMW Team RMG):
“In the meantime, the Eifel region has become something of a second home to me. My team is based very close to the Nürburgring. That made our victory there last year very emotional. We would obviously like to follow on from that success. Our performance was good in Oschersleben, and I hope we can build on that and be up among the front-runners at the Nürburgring.”
Maxime Martin (car number 36, BMW Team RMG):
“Meeting the enthusiastic fans at the Nürburgring is always a great experience. The circuit has a long history, which makes it unique. The races are home outings for my team. I am really looking forward to my second start in a DTM car in the Eifel Mountains.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 77, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I have made it onto the podium a few times at the Nürburgring, and have also won there in the past. That is obviously one of the reasons why the Nürburgring, for me personally, is one of the very best circuits. I hope we will be competitive there. It is hard to judge how we will fare. We will only be able to say that once we are there, and can then set ourselves more definite goals.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 13, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“The Nürburgring is one of my very favourite circuits. Last year we were really quick there, so I am confident going into the next two races. Our car will be a bit heavier than last time out in Oschersleben, but hopefully we will be able to make up for that. If we do, we can challenge for points again.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 18, BMW Team RBM):
“I think we have a good chance of scoring valuable points at the Nürburgring. I would certainly like to make up some more ground in the Drivers’ Championship. And I believe that is certainly possible, as the performance of our car has been very good recently.”
Tom Blomqvist (car number 31, BMW Team RBM):
“My first DTM win in Oschersleben has obviously given me an extra boost. Despite this, we must first see how well-suited our overall package is to the Nürburgring this year. With the end of the season so close, there is a lot at stake for BMW in all the competitions. For this reason, we must push even harder to pick up points where possible. I am up for the fight.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team MTEK):
“I really like the circuit and have won there a few times. Despite this, it is difficult to say how we will get on, as we will have more weight in the car. Regardless of this, we will obviously do our best and try to score plenty of points for BMW.”
Timo Glock (car number 16, BMW Team MTEK):
„Oschersleben was a fantastic weekend for BMW. Maybe we can carry the momentum from the Motorsport Arena over to the Eifel Mountains. I am looking forward to the race weekend at the Nürburgring, and hope we prove to be somewhere near as successful as we have been recently.”
Nürburgring Statistics.
Length: 3.629 km
2014 winner: Marco Wittmann, BMW
2014 pole time: 1:20.516 minutes (Marco Wittmann, BMW)
Top BMW in 2014: Marco Wittmann, 1st place
DTM debut: 1984
BMW wins: 10
BMW pole positions: 11
BMW fastest laps: 20
BMW podiums: 52
Drivers’ Championship.
1. Pascal Wehrlein (140 points), 2. Mattias Ekström (126), 3. Edoardo Mortara (110), 4. Jamie Green (107), 5. Bruno Spengler (104), 6. Marco Wittmann (98), 7. Gary Paffett (75), 8. Augusto Farfus (73), 9. António Félix da Costa (71), 10. Mike Rockenfeller (67), 11. Robert Wickens (57), 12. Timo Glock (56), 13. Christian Vietoris (56), 14. Paul di Resta (48), 15. Maxime Martin (46), 16. Tom Blomqvist (41), 17. Miguel Molina (29), 18. Nico Müller (26), 19. Daniel Juncadella (25), 20. Martin Tomczyk (24), 21. Timo Scheider (16), 22. Lucas Auer (10), 23. Maximilian Götz (6), 24. Adrien Tambay (3).
Team Championship.
1. gooix/Original-Teile Mercedes-AMG (196 points), 2. BMW Team MTEK (160), 3. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (155), 4. BMW Team RMG (144), 5. Audi Sport Team Rosberg (133), 6. BMW Team RBM (114), 7. Audi Sport Team Abt (113), 8. SILBERPFEIL Energy Mercedes-AMG (105), 9. BMW Team Schnitzer (95), 10. EURONICS/BWT Mercedes-AMG (85), 11. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (83), 12. PETRONAS Mercedes-AMG (31).
Manufacturers’ Championship.
1. BMW (488 points), 2. Audi (422), 3. Mercedes-Benz (417).
AUER WITH PLENTY OF POWER: AUSTRIAN CLAIMS HIS MAIDEN POLE POSITION
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First DTM pole-position for Lucas Auer
Hardly anyone would have expected this in DTM qualifying at the Nürburgring on Saturday morning: in the final seconds, Lucas Auer secured himself pole position for the race on Saturday. Thus, the Austrian will be starting from first place into a DTM race for the first time in his career. With 1:21.915 minutes, the Austrian posted the fastest time with his Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM and was 0.084 seconds faster than second-placed Maxime Martin with a BMW M4 DTM. Pascal Wehrlein, Auer’s fellow-Mercedes-Benz driver and the leader in the drivers’ standings, claimed third place on the grid for the race on Saturday. Behind BMW driver Bruno Spenger in fourth place, Edoardo Mortara was the best-placed Audi driver with his fifth position in qualifying.
Auer was not the only one to score his best DTM qualifying result: Maximilian Götz is sixth on the starting grid. In the race, Mattias Ekström will have a long way to go to get up front. The Swede, currently second in the drivers’ standings, qualified in 17th place. First qualifying at the Nürburgring was interrupted as the red flags were waved eight minutes into the session: Adrien Tambay came off the track and slid into the tyre stacks. Earlier, Paul Di Resta also had an impact into the barriers, during which he damaged his car. Both drivers failed to complete one timed lap in qualifying.
The 16th DTM race of the season starts on Saturday at 13.25 hrs. ARD is broadcasting live from the Eifel from 13.00 hrs. Moreover, the race can be watched live on the internet at DTM.com and sportschau.de/DTM.
QUOTES FROM THE THREE BEST-PLACED DRIVERS
Lucas Auer (1st place, Mercedes-Benz): “Yesterday, our pace was already great, and now, everything fitted in well. To be honest: my lap wasn’t 100 percent perfect, but it still was enough. This is simply fantastic and still difficult for me to realise. Mercedes is generally strong here at the Nürburgring, but the fact that I was able to make such a big step here is simply great. In qualifying, I was able to learn something from the first to the second set of tyres, which was one of the reasons for my fastest time. I don’t know yet how I will take on the race later on. After all, it is the first-ever pole of my DTM career. First of all, I want to enjoy this, and then, we will see. In a rookie season, the start is always something very special, but when everything works well, it usually is quite good for me. I will just take it as it comes. Being able to start up front here is a great feeling.”
Maxime Martin (2nd place, BMW): “I am the best-placed BMW driver and I am on the front row. Of course, I am totally happy with that. From the first row, anything can happen. On my best lap, I was doing really well. We know that the time was really good and would be enough for a good starting grid position. Therefore, I was able to get out of my car pretty soon. Eventually, only Lucas moved up ahead of me. Now, I am simply looking forward to the race. I am extremely optimistic and I will try to be the first driver across the finish line. For me, there is only one motto: maximum attack.”
Pascal Wehrlein (3rd place, Mercedes-Benz): “I am definitely happy with my third place on the grid. Especially so, because things didn’t go that well for us yesterday. However, we have made some changes on the car that brought us forward. I would say that that is also the secret of our success this season. No matter what kind of problems we are having, on Saturday, at the latest, we are working into the right direction. Third place is a good grid position for the race during which, of course, a lot of things can happen. The fact that Mattias is so far down the ranks, doesn’t really matter to me. At the end of the day, I want to have more points than any other driver. Therefore, I will always be in full attack mode. I need a good start and a good first corner and then, everything is possible. Of course, I will go for victory in this race as well.”
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MARTIN CELEBRATES SECOND DTM SUCCESS – WEHRLEIN CLOSES UP TO TITLE WIN
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Three makes on the podium
In their home race at the Nürburgring, Maxime Martin and his BMW team RMG celebrated victory in their home round at the Nürburgring. Second place in the action-packed race on Saturday went to Audi driver Edoardo Mortara while points’ leader Pascal Wehrlein extended his lead by finishing third. Behind Wehrlein, three further Mercedes-Benz drivers finished in the top six.
Standing on the roof of his BMW M4 DTM after a spectacular race, Martin cheered in the pit lane about the second DTM win of his career: “I am incredibly proud. Winning here at this track is simply just fantastic.” Audi driver Mortara made a comeback in the battle for the title by finishing second: “A great race in which I was rewarded with second place. That is great, but we want more.” Thrilling on-track duels marked the race on Saturday, in which the drivers didn’t give anything away between them. One of the drivers to experience this was Pascal Wehrlein in the first corner of the race, when he tangled with the eventual winner. Nevertheless, Wehrlein secured himself third place, extended his lead in the drivers’ standings, but still wasn’t entirely happy. “When you head into the first corner as the leader and then are being dealt such a blow, you just can’t be happy. But I have watched the footage of the situation once again. Maxime played it absolutely fair. There was a gap and he used it.” Especially the duels and the overtaking manoeuvres at the end of the main straight added plenty of top-class action to the race.
As so often this season, there was plenty of turmoil right after the start. Pole sitter Lucas Auer had to let Martin and Wehrlein, who started behind him, get past. The two tangled before the first corner while an unfazed Martin used a gap on the inside. While the BMW driver took the lead in the race, both Bruno Spengler, who had started from fourth, and Mortara, who was fifth on the grid, went past Wehrlein. For pole-sitter Auer, the action initially ended in seventh place.
Only soon after that, there was a collision between Jamie Green and Miguel Molina in the midfield that led to the interruption of the race (red flag). Rookie driver Tom Blomqvist had tangled with Green’s Audi in the Mercedes Arena, after which Green spun and Molina wasn’t able to avoid the collision. Oil and carbon parts on the track had to be removed, which was the reason that the race was interrupted for almost 15 minutes.
Directly after the restart, Martin pulled clear from the rest of the field and gradually extended his lead. “Still, it was a tough job, because my tyres significantly degraded towards the end of the race.” Behind the eventual winner, there was an entertaining three-way fight between title candidates Spengler, Mortara and Wehrlein. The Canadian with the black BMW defended his position for a long time, but Mortara made his decisive move for second place on lap 15: the Italian went past on the inside. A thrilling manoeuvre that couldn’t be completed without contact. “Initially, I was slightly worried that something could be damaged,” Mortara said, whose worries weren’t confirmed. For Spengler, however, the race was over after a few more laps. Initially, he tried to keep on, but had to stop in the pits on lap 18 with a puncture and a damaged front section of his car, and thus probably also saw his final hopes of winning the title fade away.
Gary Paffett demonstrated his competitive skills once again and made it up from 14th on the grid to finish fourth. The two DTM rookies Maximilian Götz and Lucas Auer finished in fifth and sixth place. Seventh position went to last year’s champion Marco Wittmann, who successfully defended his position from eighth-placed Robert Wickens. With a surprising overtaking move in the chicane, António Félix da Costa secured ninth place and demoted Mattias Ekström to tenth.
Ekström, Wehrlein’s fiercest rival in the battle for the title prior to the race at Nürburgring, at least managed to make up seven places in the race, but probably still wasn’t quite happy. After all, Ekström’s gap to the 20-year old increased and he lost his second place in the drivers’ standings to fellow Audi driver Mortara. With three remaining races, Wehrlein has a total score of 155 points after 15 races, Mortara 128 and Ekström 127. Should Wehrlein take victory in the race on Sunday at 13.35 hrs and his rivals Mortara and Ekström don’t score, he can already be crowned as the 2015 champion.
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MOLINA AND BLOMQVIST TOGETHER ON THE FRONT ROW
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Second qualifying of the DTM at the Nürburgring promises excitement for the 60-minutes’ race in the afternoon. With his Audi RS 5 DTM, Spaniard Miguel Molina secured pole position for the 16th DTM race of the season with a time of 1:21.732 minutes. Thus, the Audi driver will be starting from first place on the grid for the fifth time in his DTM career. Jamie Green, fourth in the drivers’ standings prior to the second race in the Eifel, and Paul Di Resta, who will be starting the race from fourth on the grid as the best-placed Mercedes-Benz driver, are together on the second row. From the drivers with the best possibilities in the battle for the title, Pascal Wehrlein secured himself the best grid position for the race: he qualified ninth while Mattias Ekström and Edoardo Mortara will be lining up in 17th and 20th place respectively.
QUOTES FROM THE THREE BEST-PLACED DRIVERS
Miguel Molina (1st place, Audi): “I have always liked the track here. That is important in order to feel really well while sitting in the car. Today, my Audi was really fantastic. My team has done a very good job and managed to repair all the damage from yesterday’s accident. They enabled me to take this pole position. Of course, this is the perfect starting grid position for the race. However, it is a very, very long way to the chequered flag today. For me, the task is clear. I do the best job in helping my team-mates, who are in the battle for the title, when I can win the race, and exactly that will be my goal. I will focus on my own performance first and foremost.”
Tom Blomqvist (2nd place, BMW): “This starting grid position is great. I had the same one on Sunday when I won the race. But seriously: this is a very good position to start the race from. We have to wait and see what can be achieved. I am optimistic that our performance, which has been getting better all the time, can continue here.”
Jamie Green (3rd place, Audi): “Yesterday, I really had bad luck that my race was over pretty quickly due to an accident. Of course, that was very annoying, especially because I wasn’t at fault. As a result, my team had a lot of work to get the car going again. Therefore, it is all the more remarkable that they have done it in such a way – a big hand to them. Today, few hundredths have decided about the grid positions again. Fortunately, my time was enough to secure third place on the grid. Now, I want to attack in the race and score as many points as possible. After the race, we will see what that is worth.”
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RACE 2: MOLINA MAKES HIS DREAM COME TRUE – WEHRLEIN EXTENDS POINTS’ LEAD
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The 24 drivers staged a breathtaking race at the Nürburgring on Sunday. After 43 laps, Miguel Molina scored his maiden DTM race win in the 67th race of his career, 90 years to the day after the foundation stone for the legendary Eifel circuit was laid. “I have been waiting for this for so long and now, I finally pulled it off. Yesterday, I had plenty of bad luck with the accident, but today simply was my day.” Mercedes-Benz driver Paul Di Resta scored an undisputed second place from Bruno Spengler, who again got some hopes in the battle for the drivers’ title with his BMW. In the standings, Pascal Wehrlein made another big step towards the title. After thrilling duels, the 20-year-old also needed support from his fellow Mercedes-Benz drivers to make it across the finish line in fifth place. Because Wehrlein’s fiercest rivals Edoardo Mortara and Mattias Ekström didn’t score any points, the youngster now has all the trumps in hand in the battle for the 2015 DTM championship crown with a margin of 37 points.
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Zanardi to drive the Race Taxi at the DTM finale.
BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi is set for a return to the racetrack: he will drive the BMW M4 DTM Race Taxi at the finale of the DTM season in Hockenheim on 17th and 18th October.
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Last Friday, Zanardi took his place in the cockpit at the roll-out, which took place at the BMW plant in Dingolfing. He and the BMW Motorsport engineers tested the modifications made to allow the double leg amputee to drive the Race Taxi. Zanardi’s artificial leg is attached to the brake pedal using a special extension, while the Italian accelerates by means of a special ring on the steering wheel. He changes gear in the usual manner, using shift paddles. “I am really looking forward to Hockenheim,” said Zanardi. “It is great that I will have another opportunity this year to sit in a racing car. It may only be a Race Taxi, but it is still a thoroughbred DTM racing car. I feel like a kid with a new toy! I drove guests in a WTCC racing car a few years ago, and it was great fun to see how impressed they were by the performance of the car. It is nice to now have the opportunity to convey the fascination of a DTM car to guests out on the racetrack, and to give them a fantastic experience.” Ahead of the roll-out, Zanardi met staff at the BMW plant in Dingolfing at an autograph session. He now heads straight to the USA: this Saturday (10th October) he will take part in the endurance triathlon on Hawaii for the second time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0d5A0U0TGg&feature=em-uploademail
3 titles, 2 races, 1 final.
The 2015 DTM season draws to a close with races 17 and 18 this Saturday and Sunday.
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The stage is set for a thrilling finale: for the first time since BMW won the Drivers’, Team and Manufacturers’ titles on its return to the touring car series, all three championships will be decided at the Hockenheimring, which traditionally hosts the season finale.
Maxime Martin’s home win for BMW Team RMG, a podium for Bruno Spengler, and more top-ten finishes at the recent race weekend at the Nürburgring have put BMW in an excellent position in the battle for the Manufacturers’ title. Coming into the final two races in Hockenheim, BMW heads the Manufacturers’ Championship with 554 points and a lead of 51 points over Mercedes. Therefore, the goal is to get as many cars in the points as possible, in order to win the Manufacturers’ Championship for the third time in four years.
Five months ago, BMW Motorsport was in Hockenheim for the opening round of the DTM. The season has now come full circle: after five race wins – including the historic top-seven lock-out in Zandvoort – the BMW teams and drivers return to the circuit near Heidelberg on 17th and 18th October. The 4.574-kilometre track has proven to be a happy stomping ground for BMW in the past. Since returning to the DTM in 2012, BMW drivers have claimed four wins – half of the races – at the Hockenheimring.
The four BMW teams will receive prominent support at the grand finale of the 2015 DTM season: BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi, who took part in the toughest triathlon in the world in Hawaii on Saturday, will be at the circuit to cheer on the eight BMW drivers. He will also take to the track himself in a BMW M4 DTM Race Taxi, which has been specially modified to meet his needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuhgF0S_-zY&feature=em-uploademail
MAXIME MARTIN ON POLE POSITION, TITLE CANDIDATES CLOSELY TOGETHER
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The starting grid positions for the race at Hockenheim on Saturday have been determined: for the second time in his career, Maxime Martin will be starting from pole position for a DTM race. With a lap time of 1:32.637 minutes, the Belgian emerged fastest from qualifying for the 18th DTM race of the season. Alongside Martin’s BMW M4 DTM, Timo Scheider’s Audi RS5 DTM will be on the front row of the grid in second place. The Audi driver came within 0.074 seconds of Martin’s time.
In the battle of the title candidates, Mattias Ekström came out on top, even if only just: the Swede, currently third in the DTM drivers’ standings, will be starting the race on Saturday from seventh place on the fourth row of the grid. Behind him is fellow Audi driver Edoardo Mortara in ninth place. DTM points’ leader Pascal Wehrlein qualified 13th. In order to wrap up the DTM title today already, the Mercedes-Benz driver at least has to finish third. Otherwise, the decision about who will become the 2015 DTM champion will come on the final race of the season on Sunday. On Saturday, first German TV channel ARD is broadcasting live from Hockenheim from 13.00 hrs already, before the penultimate DTM race of the season gets underway at 13.30 hrs.
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POST-QUALIFYING QUOTES, SATURDAY
Maxime Martin (1st place, BMW): “I had a really good lap, everything just fitted together. Moreover, our strategy worked out and I hit a good time frame. I had no traffic on the track whatsoever, because almost all the other drivers were in the pits at that time. Now, I am absolutely happy and very confident for the race. Of course, I want to win it and I will try everything to pull that off. After all, we want to bring the manufacturers’ title to Munich. That is our big goal for this weekend.”
Mattias Ekström (7th place, Audi): “The times in qualifying were very closely together again. I have tried everything, but fortunately, this was all I was able to do. I got everything out of the car. Congratulations to the pole sitter, Timo Scheider and Miguel Molina. They have all done very well and proven that everything was fair and square in this qualifying. That is the way it should be, in spite of the thrilling battle for the title, because otherwise, there is a bad feeling afterwards. Now, I hope that I can find a little more power before the race.”
Pascal Wehrlein (13th place, Mercedes-Benz): “Okay, I am a few positions further up than after free practice yesterday. I am two tenths of a second down on pole position. My lap was good and I am happy with the car that we definitely have improved compared to yesterday, but unfortunately, not enough yet. I was at the limit with the car, so you can start sliding every now and then, but I didn’t make any serious mistakes. Of course, it is annoying that such a small margin in time only puts you 13th on the grid. Now, I will definitely score points, or at least I will try. A good start, as always, is the first and foremost requirement, and then, hopefully, my car will be good throughout the distance.”
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WEHRLEIN YOUNGEST-EVER DTM CHAMPION – SCHEIDER WINS PENULTIMATE RACE
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He shouted with emotion when crossing the finish line, completed doughnuts for joy in front of the grandstand, he got out of his car and was cheered on by the spectators – Pascal Wehrlein has used his first matchpoint in the final DTM season weekend at the Hockenheimring. Only a few minutes after finishing eighth in the race on Saturday, the Mercedes-Benz driver already had donned the victory t-shirt with the text ‘DTM Champion 2015’. “Just great! Simply just great! Now, the entire pressure is gone, a fantastic feeling,” the youngster delighted. One day before his 21st birthday, Wehrlein was crowned as the youngest-ever DTM champion. His rivals Edoardo Mortara, Mattias Ekström and Bruno Spengler silently went away, really disappointed, but not before having congratulated the champion. Collisions, drive-through penalties, spins – too many mishaps to jeopardize Wehrlein.
While there was plenty of action in the opening laps of the race, one driver pulled away up front: after 26 laps, Timo Scheider won the race from Jamie Green and Maxime Martin – Scheider’s first win after almost five years. Scheider: “That drought has been much too long. After such a disastrous season, this is a nice ending for me and my team. Congratulations to Pascal for the title, he has done really well this season and deserved this success.”
For the first time this season, Scheider started from the front row of the grid and benefited from this grid position in a clever way. On lap two, he overtook pole sitter Maxime Martin and only needed few laps to pull a gap of almost five seconds. Then, he maintained this margin without many problems until the end of the race. Behind him, Martin, Jamie Green, Paul Di Resta and Mike Rockenfeller staged a thrilling battle for the remaining podium slots. Green overtook Di Resta, who was ahead of him on the grid, right after the start and also overtook Martin in the battle for second on lap nine. “That really was great fun today, we had some great racing,” the Brit commented. “Both overtaking manoeuvres were had, but fair. Fortunately, my car survived all these incidents without any damage.” At the finish, Martin still was happy with third place, in spite of having lost two positions: “Of course, I hoped to win this one, but the two Audis simply were too fast. It was a fierce battle to defend my podium position. This brings valuable points for BMW in the manufacturers’ standings.”
While the first five drivers brought their cars home without any damage after the race, fierce duels were going on behind them in the battle for the 2015 drivers’ title. Before the starting lights went out at the Hockenheimring, there were many indications that the battle for the overall crown would only be decided in the grand finale on Sunday. Ekström started the race from seventh place and Mortara was ninth on the grid. Wehrlein only lined up four positions behind the Italian and dropped back even further after the first few corners. In fact, this was the big chance for his opponents, but while Wehrlein’s start wasn’t perfect, Ekström’s was even worse: the Swede’s Audi almost got stuck in its starting box: from seventh on the grid, he dropped back to 14th. Initially, Mortara seemed to be the one to benefit, moving up into fifth place, but having collided with fellow Audi driver Miguel Molina in the first corner in the process. The collision didn’t remain without consequences: the Italian came into the pits with a puncture at the end of the first lap – all his title chances were gone. “Of course, this contact was very, very unfortunate. A race to forget,” a visibly disappointed Mortara commented. Later on, he incurred a drive-through penalty after an attack on Timo Glock and parked his car in the pits for good after 17 laps.
For Ekström, things didn’t go much better. He dropped back even more in the opening laps. Wehrlein also moved ahead of the Swede in 14th place. When Ekström was right behind the points’ leader at the start of lap three, Robert Wickens ran into his car after locking up under braking. Ekström spun and dropped back considerably. Unlike seven of his fellow DTM drivers – next to Mortara, Bruno Spengler, Gary Paffett, Adrien Tambay, Timo Glock, Robert Wickens and Augusto Farfus also retired early – the 37-year-old remained in the race and battled his way up to finish ninth. Nevertheless, he wasn’t able to challenge Wehrlein, neither in the race, nor in the drivers’ standings.
The German didn’t try to stay out of any duels on his way to the title. Among others, he was in a fierce battle with plenty of contact with BMW driver Martin Tomczyk in the opening stages of the race. “One should never celebrate too early, especially not in the DTM. Scoring points here and finishing ahead of my rivals was very important to me,” Wehrlein said.
For the newly-crowned champion, the final race of the 2015 DTM season could become a showpiece, had it not been for the battle in the teams’ and manufacturer’ standings. These two decisions are still on and both Wehrlein’s team gooix/Original Teile and Mercedes can do with every point. Thus, the youngest champion in DTM history has to concentrate once again on his 21st birthday in qualifying (start: 11.40 hrs) and the race (start: 15.15 hrs), before he will be allowed to collect his trophy during the prize-giving ceremony on the start and finish straight.
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PAFFETT TO START FROM POLE POSITION FOR THE FINALE
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The battle for the final pole position of the year has been decided: Gary Paffett came out on top in qualifying for the 18th race of the season at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg and secured first place on the grid. While it is already the eleventh pole position of his career for the 2005 DTM champion, his Mercedes-AMG DTM Team ART celebrated the second DTM pole in its history. With 1:32.645 minutes, Paffett posted the fastest time in the 20 minutes’ qualifying session. With his Audi RS 5 DTM, Jamie Green will be alongside him on the front row of the grid in second place. Swede Mattias Ekström will be starting the final race of the season from third position. Maxime Martin, who started from first place into the race on Saturday, was the best-placed BMW driver in fifth position. Newly-crowned DTM champion Pascal Wehrlein only ended up 17th, 0.475 seconds down on Paffett’s time. The 18th DTM season round gets underway on Sunday at 15.15 hrs. ARD is broadcasting live from the DTM finale at Hockenheim from 15.00 hrs.
QUOTES FROM THE THREE FASTEST DRIVERS AFTER QUALIFYING
Gary Paffett (1st place, Mercedes-Benz): “A great position to start the race from. The perfect grid position. This pole position reflects the potential of my car that worked very well all year long. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get a good lap in during qualifying very often, but today, we succeeded. The lap really was very good. The car handled in a great way, almost every corner was perfect. Yesterday, I retired from the race, but this pole position could help to ensure that doesn’t happen again: being up front is considerably easier than in the middle of the pack. Hopefully, we now have a good finale of the season. The premier requirement for this has been fulfilled.”
Jamie Green (2nd place, Audi): “As Audi drivers, we already dominated the first race weekend of the season here at Hockenheim and won both races. Racing here is simply great fun and of course, it is nice to be able to start the finale from the front row. But that doesn’t make up for the way my season went. Especially after the first few races, I had hoped for more. After yesterday’s second place, I want to be one step higher up on the podium today. Yesterday, Timo was using new tyres and he was too fast. I hope that things will go a little better for me today, I want to win.”
Mattias Ekström (3rd place, Audi): “I am very happy with this result. Now, I am starting into a race from a really good position for the first time since quite a while. The handling of the car was very good and I am confident as far as the final race is concerned. In spite of missing out on the championship title, I am really looking forward to the start. We had a clear qualifying, did some good laps: I have no reason to complain. For the finale, there is only one goal: maximum attack. At the end of the season, I want to be on the top step of the podium once more.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g04l9xLEoQ
AUDI LOCKS OUT TOP THREE: GREEN WINS DTM FINALE
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Audi and Hockenheim – that is a connection that fits. The brand from Ingolstadt dominated proceedings in the finale of the previous season, did it likewise in the opening round of the 2015 season and the final weekend of the year was no exception either. In total, 135,000 spectators saw at the Hockenheimring how the Audi drivers claimed five of the six possible podium positions in the two races. Following the 1-2 with Timo Scheider and Jamie Green on Saturday, Green secured victory on Sunday, followed home by his fellow Audi drivers Mattias Ekström and Edoardo Mortara and thus also claimed runner-up spot in the final drivers’ standings. In spite of this impressive ending – Audi celebrated its ninth and tenth win of the year in the season finale – the brand from Ingolstadt remained empty-handed in the final standings. Accordingly, the joy for the winners was limited: “Driving the car this season was nice, it was very powerful. However, it also caused me problems on two occasions: the gearbox failure at Spielberg and the brake problem at the start at the Nürburgring. Too bad, I missed many points there and probably lost the title. Nevertheless, I am proud of my performance, this was the best season of my career.” Pascal Wehrlein had already sealed the title on Saturday and also was awarded with the trophy for the best team, together with Christian Vietoris. Maxime Martin, António Félix da Costa, Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk, who all finished in the top ten and thus secured the title for BMW defended first place in the manufacturers’ standings.
No matter how disappointing the overall results for the brand from Ingolstadt were, it was once again very strong in the 60 minutes’ long final race of the season. For almost three and a half laps, pole sitter Gary Paffett managed to keep his Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM ahead of the Audi drivers. With the help of DRS, Green zoomed past his compatriot under braking for the hairpin and pulled away once in front. Soon after that, Mattias Ekström showed up in Paffett’s rear-view mirror. The Swede had lost his third place to Maxime Martin at the start, but claimed it back after five laps. Two laps later, Ekström didn’t need long to deal with Paffett and claim second place. “Now, I am third in the final standings, but in fact, I don’t really care. This year, I raced to become champion. Nevertheless, I had a lot of fun and once again gave my utmost today.” Later on, the two experienced DTM drivers were in a class of their own and had a margin of 17 seconds on third-placed Edoardo Mortara once the chequered flag was out. The Italian drove a great race. From 13th place on the grid, he battled his way up through the ranks, was the last driver in the field to come into the pits for his stop and rejoined the race in fifth. With fresh tyres, there was hardly any way to hold Mortara. Timo Scheider and Paul Di Resta had no answer to his attacks. He posted the fastest race lap (1:34.086 minutes) and concluded his progress in third place. Mortara: “That was a fantastic race, but nevertheless, it was the most disappointing weekend of my career. I started it in second place in the drivers’ standings and I am heading home fourth in the standings.”
And Paffett? After the pit stops, he staged an entertaining private duel with Maxime Martin. For eight laps, the two changed positions several times, putting in one attack after another. On lap 19, Martin made the decisive move: in front of the Mercedes grandstand, he moved ahead of the Brit to claim sixth place. With his move, he also provided his fellow BMW drivers António Félix da Costa and Bruno Spengler with a chance, that both used right away. Bad for Paffett, good for BMW. The action on lap 19 significantly contributed to the brand from Munich securing the manufacturers’ title with 602 points. Eventually, Audi lacked seven points. And some of these points for Audi were lost on lap 16: Miguel Molina, who was sixth at that time, tangled with Christian Vietoris, who had yet to make his pit stop and didn’t play a role in the battle for the positions up front, while trying to overtake him. Vietoris’s car spun and punted Adrien Tambay off the track at the hairpin, while the Frenchman was on his way to his best result of the season. For this manoeuvre, Molina incurred a drive through penalty and two Audi drivers were out of the point-scoring positions on the spot. On the other hand, the BMW drivers moved up and celebrated victory in the manufacturers’ championship at the finish. Martin: “We definitely wanted to win the manufacturers’ title and so we did. Fantastic!”
For the champion, the final race of the season was a rather disillusioning affair. He crossed the finish line in 20th place, his worst result of the season. For Wehrlein, however, that wasn’t a reason to be in a bad mood, of course: “Today, there simply wasn’t much I could do. I am happy that I was able to bring the car home. Now, I am looking forward to the party with my team. Now, we will have a decent party, we all have deserved that.”
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O09s5FpLA0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gISCgPP4Ix8
Πρωτάθλημα οδηγών
http://www.dtm.com/en/drivers-and-standings/?o=2#meisterschaft
Πρωτάθλημα ομάδων και κατασκευαστών
http://www.dtm.com/en/drivers-and-standings/?o=2#teamwertung
“Unity and efficiency were key.”
The 2015 DTM season is over – and BMW picked up enough points at the grand finale in Hockenheim to clinch the hotly contested manufacturers' title.
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With five wins, 19 podium positions and seven pole positions, the eight BMW DTM drivers were the source of numerous highlights throughout the season. In an interview with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, he talks about the season's 18 races, what the manufacturers' title means to BMW, and what he feels were the outstanding moments of the season.
Mr. Marquardt, BMW is the most successful manufacturer of the 2015 DTM season. How proud of your team are you?
Jens Marquardt: “Naturally I am very proud of each and every one of them – whether at BMW Motorsport or in our four teams. The manufacturers' title is very important to us. Despite difficult conditions, once again we asserted ourselves over our direct rivals in the premium sector and showed that fighting spirit is rewarded in motorsport. At the start of the season it seemed unlikely that we would have a successful year in the DTM for various reasons. But we were able to improve and make up ground on our rivals. It was a great performance.”
What was the key to success?
Marquardt: “It was definitely our unity and our efficiency. When we were given the opportunity to get top results at a race weekend, we kept our cool and took our chances – and it wasn't just one or two drivers, it was the whole team. Otherwise it wouldn't have been possible to celebrate an historic success such as the top-seven shut-out in Zandvoort. And that was precisely our goal going into the season: Our overall package should enable as many drivers as possible to fight for wins. It worked perfectly – and brought us the manufacturers' title.”
Five different winners in the BMW M4 DTM; that's a first since the DTM comeback in 2012...
Marquardt: “That's right. And it demonstrates the high level at which our drivers were at this season, and just how balanced they were. Marco Wittmann, Timo Glock, António Félix da Costa, Maxime Martin and our rookie Tom Blomqvist: They all thoroughly deserved their wins with flawless performances. Bruno Spengler and Augusto Farfus picked up numerous podium positions. Martin Tomczyk was unlucky on more than one occasion, but once again showed great fighting spirit to create some great moments. I am very happy with our drivers this season.”
Seven titles in four years: What is the secret behind this level of consistency?
Marquardt: “It is true that we have managed to win at least one title each year since our comeback in 2012. This consistency shows just how well and hard everyone involved works on this project. The DTM is so fiercely contested that you can't expect to be at the top in every race. Rather you have to keep an eye on every minor detail and optimise them to pick up maximum points when the opportunity arises. We have been very successful at this on a regular basis since 2012.”
There were also plenty of controversial moments this season. What is your opinion on these moments?
Marquardt: “That's true, the spectators experienced plenty of action in the DTM in 2015 – and the mark was overstepped in terms of sportsmanship and fairness in certain situations. I am happy that we had more of a spectator role in it all. We delivered thrilling and fair racing for the fans. Each driver fought for their own success – and it was this approach that brought us the manufacturers' title.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oi7Ibu_huM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf28HI3WJ9A
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