Wittmann celebrates home win for BMW at the Norisring

Marco Wittmann (GER) has done it: Sunday was the first time in his DTM career that the BMW Team RMG driver claimed a victory at his home race at the Norisring (GER). After 68 laps the local hero, at the wheel of the BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, was the first to cross the finish line. A combination of a breathtaking performance and a perfect strategy helped him to win Sunday’s race after starting from seventh on the grid. The win followed a third-place finish in Saturday’s race to cap a thoroughly successful home weekend in Nuremberg (GER). It was the 80th win for BMW in the DTM and the eighth success at the Norisring. Wittmann topped the DTM podium for the eleventh time in his career.

Bruno Spengler (CAN), in the BMW Bank M4 DTM, also proved once again how much he likes to drive on the tight street circuit. Starting from sixth, the 2012 champion moved up to fourth during the race. The third BMW driver in the top-ten was Timo Glock (GER) in the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, who finished in tenth place. He was followed by Philipp Eng (AUT, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM), Joel Eriksson (SWE, BMW M4 DTM) and Augusto Farfus (BRA, Shell BMW M4 DTM), who was sent into a spin after contact on lap 52. They crossed the line in eleventh, twelfth and 17th positions respectively.

The result means that the front-runners in the drivers’ standings are now even closer together. Wittmann is now the best-placed BMW driver (92 points), level on points with Glock in third. Gary Paffett (GBR, Mercedes) is the leader, with 99 points.

Reactions to Sunday’s race at the Norisring:

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“This is the first time that Marco Wittmann has triumphed at his home race. After our historic wins last year, this is another particularly special success for us at the same venue. Seeing the emotions displayed by Marco, the spectators and the team really sent shivers down my spine. It was our 80th DTM win and the eighth here at the Norisring. Congratulations to Marco and the whole BMW Team RMG for an absolutely outstanding performance – it was a remarkable race, with him moving up from seventh position to first. Bruno Spengler also did a very good job in fourth. Timo Glock managed to pick up a point with a damaged car after Gary Paffett leaned in a bit too often. Nonetheless, it is a great result of course. Now we can celebrate.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):

“It is fantastic. Marco surpassed himself once again today. Our team can be really happy with this victory. We really wanted to win here today. The lads did a great job today and the pit stops were perfect. It was a tough weekend but we kept our nerve.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG – qualifying result: 7th place, race result: 1st place, points: 92):

“I think my heart is still racing. These emotions are just crazy. It’s not every day that you win your home race. I have been trying here for so long and this is the first time it’s worked out. I would never have thought that I’d manage to move up from seventh to first. We had fantastic pace. I drove the race of my life – with some wild overtaking manoeuvres. My guys did an unbelievable job. The car was sensational. It is wonderful to be heading home from the Norisring with two trophies.”

Augusto Farfus (#15 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG – qualifying result: 14th place, race result: 17th place, points: 8):

“We didn’t improve enough on Saturday’s performance. I had no chance to attack. The start went well but then I just didn’t have the pace again. I got spun and that pushed me back further. Congratulations to Marco and the team on the win.”

Timo Glock (#16 DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR – qualifying result: 9th place, race result: 10th place, points: 92):

“That was another difficult race. I just didn’t feel comfortable in the car, the pace was better today, but not perfect. I had a pretty tough fight with Gary Paffett and I tried my best to get that last point. I managed to do that. That was another intense duel with Gary and we touched a few times. Of course, I had hoped for more than two points from the weekend but we are still involved in the battle at the top. Everyone is really close together. Now we have to make sure that we get the set-up better for the next races. Congratulations to Marco on his home win. He drove a great race. “

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):

“We scored some more important points today with Bruno. Everything went perfectly. We pushed his pit stop back a bit and I think that was the right decision. He then had a battle on his hands with the Mercedes to try and stay in front. He did very well there. Unfortunately, we lost a bit of time in the pits with Joel. Philipp’s pace was good but he just got held up in traffic. Congratulations to Marco and BMW on the win.”

Philipp Eng (#25 SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR – qualifying result: 10th place, race result: 11th place, points: 53):

“I didn’t have it easy out there today. The pace was there in the race – but we didn’t get it 100 percent in qualifying. Next time we have to hit the target. It continues to be a steep learning curve. I am not happy with 11th place but I am satisfied with the work that we put in this weekend. I am sure of one thing – the results will go our way again.”

Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – qualifying result: 6th place, race result: 4th place, points: 43):

“It was an interesting race with a lot of great battles. After starting from sixth place, I moved up to fourth and I was in the points for both races at the Norisring so I’m happy with that. Winning in front of his home crowd is fantastic for Marco. Overall, it was a very positive weekend for BMW.”

Joel Eriksson (#47 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – qualifying result: 8th place, race result: 12th place, points: 25):

“The race was tough, the start was OK. We lost some places during the pit stop. I had a battle on my hands then and I had to use the DRS a lot. It certainly wasn’t my best race but I am looking forward and getting ready for the next races at Zandvoort. Congratulations to Marco on his home win here in Nuremberg.”