BMW DTM teams appearing at Misano, Italy for Round 3

The BMW DTM teams will be appearing at the second international race of the 2019 season this coming weekend (7^th to 9^th June) at Misano, Italy. The fifth and sixth races of the year will take place at the ‘Misano World Circuit’ on the Italian Adriatic coast. After the events at Hockenheim (GER) and Zolder (BEL), Philipp Eng (AUT) from BMW Team RBM currently tops the drivers’ standings. Marco Wittmann (GER), of BMW Team RMG, is third in the championship.

The new BMW M4 DTM with the turbo engine has started from pole position in all four races of the season so far: Wittmann has claimed first place on the grid twice, while Eng and rookie Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) have done so once each. There have been two wins (Wittmann and Eng) and two further podium finishes for Eng and Joel Eriksson (SWE).

The DTM paid a visit to Misano for the first time last year – with two spectacular night races. BMW driver Eriksson celebrated his first DTM win as a rookie in the Sunday race. Making a guest appearance for BMW, Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) thrilled the fans with a fantastic performance. This year, the Misano races will take place during the day. Wittmann and Timo Glock (GER) will both be celebrating a special anniversary in Italy: the two drivers will each be contesting their 100^th DTM race.

Quotes ahead of the DTM races at Misano.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):

“It has been a successful start to the new turbo era in the DTM for us. Four races, four pole positions, two wins and two further podiums – those are good results for our new BMW M4 DTM. In the races thus far, we have seen that all six BMW drivers are very competitive and can record some top results. With Philipp leading the championship and Marco in third place overall, we are heading to Misano with plenty of momentum. We are aiming to build on the good performances from the first races there. We can all well remember the great debut that we all experienced at Misano last year. Now we are curious to discover what this coming weekend will bring.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):

“We have used the short break since Zolder for in-depth preparation ahead of the race weekend at Misano. At Hockenheim and Zolder we could see that the new BMW M4 DTM gives us a really good pace – as shown by Marco’s pole positions, his win and the very strong performances from Bruno and Timo. However, a series of circumstances that included some bad luck with the safety car prevented us from converting these performances into the corresponding results in each race for our drivers. The foundations are right and at Misano it is essential that we work towards the right set-up for the challenging combination of fast and slow sections, right from the word go. We are extremely motivated and are looking forward to the weekend, which also marks a very special anniversary for Marco and Timo.”

Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Drivers’ standings: 8^th, 24 points):

“I like the circuit at Misano. It provides a few overtaking opportunities. I was there for the first time last year and I think the circuit is very interesting. It is challenging and includes a number of different combinations of corners. The seaside location is also very attractive. I hope that the weather will be a bit better this time than last year. Italy is always great, the Italian fans love motorsport and that is why I am really looking forward to Misano.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Drivers’ standings: 3^rd, 43 points):

“I think that daytime driving at Misano will represent the biggest change. The night-time conditions in the rain were really difficult last year. That means that it will be something new for us, in a sense. This circuit is a challenging one and has a bit of everything, with fast and slow sections. All things considered, it’s cool to drive in Italy and it is great that Andrea Dovizioso will be making a guest appearance too. We have made a very good start, with very good performances. We haven’t had luck on our side in every race but I think that we can satisfied with the season so far. Now we are hoping to have good pace at Misano.”

Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’ standings: 12^th, 20 points):

“I am excited about Misano. It’s not a night race this time, so we’ll have to see how it goes. I am curious to see how Andrea Dovisiozo’s guest appearance works out and I’m sure it will be interesting. We are hoping for a good race weekend and that we get our set-up right and can do a good job there. And of course, I am hoping for some good weather this time.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):

“Of course, we are heading to Misano with plenty of momentum from our fantastic home round at Zolder. Philipp’s first DTM win and moving to the top of the standings, Sheldon’s first pole position, Joel also on the podium after finishing second on Saturday – we will remember Zolder for a long time to come. Now we are looking forward to the second DTM appearance at Misano. We were able to celebrate there last year when Joel claimed his first win on the Sunday. We are starting from a good position and we want to make use of this momentum. The whole team will be working hard to record some more great results at Misano.”

Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’ standings: 1^st, 59 points):

“I have learned this in the DTM: you are only ever as good as your last race. So, we have to use the time to prepare well for Misano. I am looking forward to the weekend. Misano is a very cool circuit. I am happy that we are driving in the daytime this year, and the weather conditions in June should be a bit more predictable. I am looking forward to the race and hope that we will have another good weekend at Misano.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Drivers’ standings: 10^th, 21 points):

“Moving on to Misano, I think we have a really good baseline. We know that we are capable of some strong results. Especially the Sunday pole position in Zolder was good motivation for the whole crew on my side of the garage so in terms of that we are very positive. I have raced at Misano before, as I did a GT race there last year, so I kind of know the track already which is good, other than at Zolder, where everything was new for us. I think that Misano is going to be good.” 

Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Drivers’ standings: 11^th, 20 points):

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Misano as I have fond memories of the track from last year. It’s actually one of my favourite tracks. The place and the entire area are really nice. Last year, we had a very strong pace at Misano, both in the dry and in the rain. We will again work hard and hope for another strong weekend.”