BMW Motorsport completes final test ahead of 2019 DTM

This week, it was all about the DTM again at the Lausitzring (GER). From Monday to Thursday, the six BMW drivers and their rivals were underway on the 4.570-kilometre track. In total, the BMW squads completed over 1,250 laps and 5,500 kilometres. BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG and the drivers used the test to prepare themselves and the 2019 BMW M4 DTM for the start of the season. At the heart of the race car is the new BMW P48 turbo engine, which was developed from scratch in accordance with Class 1 regulations. The BMW M4 DTM has also been modified extensively in many other areas. The annual DTM ‘Media Day’ also took place at the Lausitzring on the Tuesday of the test. The opening round of the 2019 DTM season takes place from 3^rd to 5^th May at the Hockenheimring (GER).

Quotes from the DTM test at the Lausitzring:

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“That was a very intense final test for our teams and drivers before the DTM season-opener. A big thank you goes to the mechanics and engineers, who have worked hard and shown great commitment during these long days of testing. The whole system of the 2019 cars is completely new. As such, it is obvious that you are going to learn and gain experience with every single lap. The first two days did not exactly go as we had imagined. However, the whole team – including the drivers – showed how flexible they can be during this phase, and did not let it unsettle them. We were then able to complete a lot of laps on Wednesday and Thursday. On the whole, our focus was on confirming the new components in the system and on better understanding the car as a whole. We have made big progress in that regard. In terms of performance, we completed all our planned preparations, in order to arrive in Hockenheim in good form. As always, only the first qualifying sessions and races will give a true indication of where we are. We are really looking forward to the start of the season.”

Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG):

“Before the start of the season, it was very important to do more testing, get behind the wheel of the car again, make any final adjustments to the set-up, and prepare for the first races. It was also important for me and my new race engineer to forge a relationship and find a rhythm together. We worked our way through a good programme. That was important. Now we move on to the opening round. I am already looking forward to us all meeting up again at Hockenheim in a fortnight. We will then have more of an idea of where we all stand.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW  M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG):

“A test like this is always important – particularly this season, with the new regulations and new engine. After all the work we put into development during the winter, it was good to add the finishing touches here. There was the odd problem here and there, but that is the same with every manufacturer at the moment. We now have to iron them out until the start of the season. As such, it was very good to go driving again at the Lausitzring. We are all naturally intrigued to see how the season-opener pans out, and how good we actually are.”

Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR):

“I would obviously have liked to have a few more laps in the car, but the fact that I drove in the winter tests meant my time here was a little limited. We made the most of the time, to be well prepared for Hockenheim. We will take the positives out of the test and now start our final preparations for the first races.”

Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR):

“It was cool to be back in a DTM car after a long break. The BMW M4 DTM is an incredible racing car, particularly with the new engine. It was great fun finding my rhythm again and sorting a few things out. We still have some work ahead of us before the first race at Hockenheim, but everyone is doing their utmost to ensure we are up there at the front of the field there again.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM):

“It’s really been an enjoyable test. I’ve got a lot of laps in the car which is very nice. It was also an important test for me because it was good to just get used to the car. The new turbo engine is really powerful, it’s a lot of fun to drive it and it should make things interesting this year.”

Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM):

“On the first two days, we had slight issues, but that was solved and everything is looking good and promising. I am actually feeling very comfortable with the car. Everything is quite new for everyone but its working fine for me. There are still a few things to improve but that’s the same for everyone. I am feeling positive.”