Pole position and podium for BMW driver Glock at Hockenheim

Timo Glock (GER) and the Hockenheimring (GER) once again proved to be a lucky combination for BMW Motorsport in the 17th race of the DTM season. Having shone at the season-opener on the same track back in May, the BMW Team RMG driver impressed again in the penultimate race of the year. At the wheel of the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, Glock initially secured the fourth pole position of his DTM career, before finishing third to take his place on the podium at the end of a hard-fought race. Maxime Martin (BEL) qualified second to make it an all-BMW front row, but narrowly missed out on a podium finish in fourth place. Bruno Spengler (CAN) picked up one point for tenth place. Marco Wittmann (GER), Tom Blomqvist (GBR) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) were 13th, 15th and 17th.

Before the race, fans at the Hockenheimring were treated to a unique spectacle, as three cars from the manufacturers currently represented in the DTM took to the track alongside a Nismo and a Lexus racing car. The Japanese guests had previously completed a number of demonstration laps.

The qualifying:

In glorious autumn sunshine, Timo Glock set the fastest time of 1:30.648 minutes in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM. In doing so, he secured the fourth pole position of his DTM career and the eighth of the season for BMW Motorsport. Maxime Martin, in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, was just 0.037 seconds slower than Glock in second place, and joined his fellow BMW driver on the front row of the grid. Glock received three points towards the Drivers’ Championship for his pole position, while Martin picked up two points for second place. Marco Wittmann was eighth in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, while Bruno Spengler qualified 12th in the BMW Bank M4 DTM. Augusto Farfus (Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Tom Blomqvist (BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM) were 14th and 16th.

The race:

Timo Glock made a good start from pole position and immediately pulled clear of the pack on the opening lap. Maxime Martin lost second place to Jamie Green (GBR, Audi). Green then steadily reeled in Glock, and the pair became embroiled in a spectacular duel for the lead, with Green coming out on top in the end. Martin briefly conceded third place to Edoardo Mortara (ITA, Mercedes), but retook the position once the two cars had made their pit stops. The second half of the race saw Mike Rockenfeller (GER, Audi) work his way through the field, overtaking first Martin and then Glock. The two BMW drivers ultimately crossed the finish line in third and fourth place. Glock claimed the ninth podium of his career. Bruno Spengler overtook Mattias Ekström (SWE, Audi) shortly before the finish, and was rewarded with one point for tenth place. Marco Wittmann, Tom Blomqvist and Augusto Farfus came home 13th, 15th and 17th.