DTM 2014

[BMW Power]

Meeting of champions.
Last week, BMW Motorsport offered media representatives from all over the world the opportunity to drive various BMW racing cars for themselves at the “Circuito Monteblanco”.



In total, 31 participants from 15 different countries took to the 3.357-kilometre track. All four cars, with which BMW has won the DTM title since 1984, were in action. As well as last season’s championship-winning car, the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM, the journalists also hit the road in the BMW Bank M3 DTM (2012), as well as behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of the BMW 635 CSi (1984) and the BMW M3 (1987). All four racing cars each won the title in their first season in the DTM. The media representatives also gained experience as racing drivers at the wheel of two BMW M235i Racings. On hand as celebrity instructors were reigning DTM champion Marco Wittmann, Martin Tomczyk, António Félix da Costa, Dirk Adorf and BMW Motorsport Junior Jesse Krohn. They gave the journalists an insight into their work, as well as offering valuable advice on how to handle the cars.

[BMW Power]

Double honours.
Marco Wittmann received two awards at the traditional “Race Night” held by Auto Bild Motorsport and Auto Bild Sportscars, which takes place every year as part of the Essen Motor Show.



Wittmann was voted “Touring Car Driver of the Year” by readers and was also presented with the “Golden Racing Shoe” as the new DTM champion. However, the BMW works driver was not just there to receive prizes, but also presented some trophies: to the winners of the Speed Academy – the support programme run by BMW Motorsport premium partner, Deutsche Post.
Three questions for … Marco Wittmann.
Marco, you were on hand to offer journalists advice when they took to the track in the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM last week. How did it go?
Marco Witmann: “The entire event was great fun. It is fantastic that BMW Motorsport allows journalists to experience how it feels to drive a racing car. I gave the participants an introduction to my Ice-Watch M4 DTM and then went through the data with them after their drives. That was very interesting for me. Some of the drivers had already driven other racing cars and coped well with the DTM car.”
What was your personal highlight?
Wittmann: “I had the opportunity to drive the legendary BMW DTM cars from the 1980s – the BMW 635 CSi and the BMW M3. For me, it was impressive to feel the differences for myself, and to see how the technology has developed over the past 30 years. As a driver, you had to work a lot harder on the steering wheel and when changing gear back in the past. However, it is more important to find the perfect racing line today, and you generally have to drive more accurately than back then. I really enjoyed my outing in the vintage cars. The1987 BMW M3, in particular, is my absolute favourite – a dream car.”
On a more general note, you have not stopped travelling and visiting events for the past few weeks. How are you coping with the many appointments that come with winning the DTM title?
Wittmann: “It has obviously been an extremely busy time for me since the end of the DTM season. I have hardly spent a single day at home. However, I am still really enjoying myself. After all, the reason for me having all these appointments is the fact that I was crowned the DTM champion. With this in mind, I am having an incredible time at the moment. On top of that it is an honour for me that my successes are appreciated from so many sides – as, for example, now with the ‘Touring Car Driver of the Year’ and the ‘Golden Racing Shoe’ awards. That is something very special for a racing driver.”

[BMW Power]

Rookie week in Jerez.
The BMW teams will take to the track this week for the first time since the end of the DTM season in Hockenheim on 19th October.



The BMW teams travel to Jerez de la Frontera for testing until Thursday. As well as DTM champion Marco Wittmann, Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin, Bruno Spengler, Timo Glock and António Félix da Costa, several drivers will be given their first taste of the DTM in Spain. They include Tom Blomqvist, Jack Harvey, Richie Stanaway, Alex Lynn and Sam Bird. BMW works driver Lucas Luhr and Robin Frijns will also drive the BMW M4 DTM for the first time

[BMW Power]

On the finishing straight.
BMW Motorsport will host an entertaining programme this Friday, when it looks back at the 2014 motor racing season at its traditional season review in Maisach.



Trophies will also be presented to the most successful BMW privateer drivers and teams at the BMW Driving Experience training facility. This year, the BMW Sports Trophy award ceremony will be held for the 53rd time.
The BMW Sports Trophy competitions bring together all those private drivers and teams who represent the BMW brand around the world through their involvement in a diverse range of series and at renowned racing events. BMW Motorsport once again continued its long tradition in 2014, and supported privateers all over the planet on their way to victories and titles on the GT and touring car scene.
A total prize purse of 250,000 Euro was up for grabs in the Drivers’ Competition, with the winner also receiving a drive in a BMW M4 DTM. The top ten teams win a share of 100,000 Euro in prize money.

[BMW Power]

18 doses of action.
When it comes to the 2015 season, DTM fans can look forward to even more race action.



Although the DTM calendar comprises just nine race weekends, there will still be more actual race time, with each round consisting of two races – one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Six in Germany, three elsewhere in Europe: The season kicks off at the Hockenheimring on the first weekend in May. Following the race meeting at the Lausitzring in late May, the Norisring race weekend traditionally represents one of the highlights of the season. The calendar then features the three foreign meetings in Zandvoort, Spielberg and Moscow, which have proven to be extremely popular in recent years. The races in Oschersleben and at the Nürburgring are scheduled for September. In keeping with tradition, Hockenheim will host the season finale from 18th to 20th October.
The race in Budapest has been removed from the calendar this year. As such, the coming DTM season now comprises nine weekends, over the course of which fans will be treated to 18 episodes of thrilling race action. For the first time since 2000, two races will be held on each weekend.

The 2015 DTM calendar.
1st to 3rd May Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg
29th to 31st May Lausitzring
26th to 28th June Norisring
10th to 12th July Circuit Park Zandvoort
31st July to 2nd August Red-Bull-Ring
28th to 30th August Moscow Raceway
11th to 13th September etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben
25th to 27th September Nürburgring
16th to 18th October Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg

* Subject to approval by FIA and DMSB.

[BMW Power]

BMW Motorsport travels to Jerez de la Frontera for three-day DTM test – BMW works drivers and a host of rookies in action in the BMW M4 DTM.

04.12.2014



Jerez de la Frontera (ES) 02th December 2014. BMW Motorsport, ITR Testing, Marco Wittmann (DE) Castrol EDGE BMW M4 DTM.

Jerez de la Frontera (ES), 4th December 2014. In preparation for the 2015 DTM season, BMW Motorsport travelled to Jerez de la Frontera (ES) this week, where it completed a three-day winter test. The BMW DTM teams used four BMW M4 DTMs over the course of the test. DTM champion Marco Wittmann (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Maxime Martin (BE), Bruno Spengler (CA), Timo Glock (DE) and António Félix da Costa (PT) were all in action.
During the three-day test, BMW Motorsport also offered many other drivers the opportunity to gain a first taste of the DTM. These included Tom Blomqvist (GB), Jack Harvey (GB), Alex Lynn (GB) and Sam Bird (GB). BMW works driver Lucas Luhr (DE), Robin Frijns (NL) and Richie Stanaway (NZ) also took to the track at the wheel of the BMW M4 DTM.
The drivers and teams used the three days from Tuesday to Thursday to perform comprehensive chassis and tyre tests. The conditions at the circuit were good, with sun and temperatures reaching 17 degrees Celsius. In total, the drivers completed 1,735 laps and 7,683 kilometres of testing in the four BMW M4 DTMs. The crews also practiced new procedures, which have been tailored to suit the new DTM itinerary. From next season, two races will be held at each event – one on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Quotes after the winter test in Jerez.
Marco Wittmann:
“It was a good test. It was nice to get back in the car after over six weeks, before we head into the Christmas break. We completed a lot of laps, in order to test a few details and gather data, which we will then analyse during the winter break. We were quick, although lap times do not play a major role during testing. Your job is more to try out different things. Our programme worked well. From that point of view, it was a positive and productive test.”
Augusto Farfus:
“It was really good. We had a long day of testing and good conditions with the sun. It is always good to be back in the car after the season and to start the preparations for next year. The work we did here was very positive. Of course, the winter is still long and it is difficult to draw any conclusions at this stage, but I think that we are heading in the right direction.”
Maxime Martin:
“It is always great to be back in the car. It has been a good test. We tested a lot of things and completed a good programme. Everything went well, we did 600 kilometres without any issues. I am happy. Now we will go into the winter break and I am looking forward to getting back in the car next year.”
Bruno Spengler:
“It is always fun to be sat in the car. It has been a while since the last race, so I was really excited when I woke up in the morning, knowing that I was going to climb back into the BMW M4 DTM and put my foot down out on the track. I enjoyed it very much. I had a lot of fun and the weather also played ball. We made good progress and learned a few things. I drove a lot of laps and also did a long run. It was a successful test day, and I am looking forward to the next test in the new year.”
Timo Glock:
“It was great to get back behind the wheel of the car, particularly in good weather. The forecast was initially for it to rain on my test day, but we were fortunate and it stayed dry. I was very happy with the test. We had a tight schedule, but did a very good job of getting through all the points we wanted to work on. It was great fun and I completed a lot of laps. I now hope that Christmas and the winter break will fly by, so we can get back in the car soon and continue our work out on the track. We obviously still have a few things planned, and need to ensure that we improve a bit for next year.”
António Félix da Costa:
“It was really nice to be back in the BMW M4 DTM. I always feel a lot of happiness and enjoyment when I am driving this car. These three days of testing before the winter break were very important in order to prepare well for the 2015 season. I am quite happy with how the test went. We had a lot of items to try out, and we completed our test programme. Overall, I did 122 laps, which is always good.”
Lucas Luhr:
“The downforce on this car is impressive. You feel it immediately, and it is far greater than the cars I know from my time before in the DTM. I have spent a lot of time driving LMP1 sports cars in the past and, when it comes to downforce, the BMW M4 DTM is very close, if not at a similar level. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to drive a car like that. I had a lot of fun and hope I was able to help the guys prepare for the coming season a little by giving them my impressions.”
Robin Frijns:
“I enjoyed it a lot. Sure, you need to adapt to the car, you have a roof over you and the car moves a bit more than a single-seater, but I think the test went quite well. The most important thing is that I enjoyed myself and that it was fun to be here. I was surprised how direct the BMW M4 DTM is. It is really sharp, just like a single-seater. It is like a Formula car with a roof on.”
Richie Stanaway:
“Having driven the BMW M3 DTM back at the end of 2011 it is fantastic to get another chance to test for BMW and I am really grateful for the opportunity. The BMW M4 DTM is such a nice car to drive, so the test was a great pleasure. Working with BMW again was a good experience. We had some good runs and I did a good amount of laps. This season I raced in Formula and GT series, and it was nice to drive a car which has characteristics of both. It was also great to drive a touring car with so much downforce and performance. I really enjoyed it.”
Jack Harvey:
“It was absolutely unbelievable. I have never driven a car with a roof before so this was a new experience for me and I really loved it. It is very different to what I did in the past but something I could get used to, for sure. I had a great time. I was very impressed by the braking efficiency of the BMW M4 DTM. I have never driven with carbon brakes before, and the braking efficiency was much more than I had expected. I just feel very privileged to be here, because I could think of a lot of other people who would also like to be here. I feel pretty proud to even be considered to participate in the test and I want to thank BMW and BMW Motorsport for giving me the chance. They have been incredible days.”
Tom Blomqvist:
“I really enjoyed it and first of all I want to thank BMW for giving me that opportunity. I think I made a quite good progression. In the beginning it took me some time to get used to the car. This season, I was driving in Formula 3, where the car is quite light and has no power-steering. So the biggest challenge was to get used to the weight and the power-steering of the BMW M4 DTM. But after some time on the track I had learned how I had to drive it and I had a lot of fun.”
Alex Lynn:
“The BMW M4 DTM is an amazing car, and it has been a privilege to drive a car like that. Compared to the other cars I have driven in my career so far it is really nice to drive a car which is built with the purpose to race against other manufacturers, with the attention to so many different details. The downforce is really impressive. Coming from single-seaters it honestly does not feel like you are driving a touring car. The grip is unbelievable, especially in the high-speed corners. And the braking capability as well is like from another planet. It was a fantastic day and I am really happy that I have been given the chance to drive a car like that.”
Sam Bird:
“I really enjoyed working with BMW. The people were great and the car is extremely impressive. This season I am doing Formula E, which is completely different to driving a BMW M4 DTM. You have to adapt to the car, as it requires a particular driving style. You need to be spot on. The downforce and the braking efficiency are very impressive. The only tin-top car I have driven before was a GT car, but the BMW M4 DTM has a lot more downforce and much better braking capabilities. It has been a really good experience, which I hope I can learn from.”