2015 DTM season reaches the business end: BMW teams visit the iconic Nürburgring.

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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