Grand finale in Hockenheim: BMW Motorsport looking for a successful end to the 2013 DTM season.

Munich (DE), 11th October 2013. The 2013 DTM season reaches its conclusion with the tenth race of the year in Hockenheim (DE) on 20th October. BMW Motorsport travels to the 4.574-kilometre circuit with fond memories: a BMW M3 DTM was first across the finish line at both the final race of 2012 and the season-opener in 2013. Bruno Spengler (CA) triumphed exactly one year ago to sensationally win the Drivers’ Championship in BMW Motorsport’s comeback season. In May it was the turn of Farfus to win the first race of the 2013 season, coming home ahead of fellow BMW driver Dirk Werner (DE) in second place.

While the Drivers’ Championship is already a done deal this year, BMW is still in contention for the Manufacturers’ title and BMW Team RBM is well positioned to challenge in the team competition. After two wins in a row for Farfus in Oschersleben (DE) and Zandvoort (NL), Bart Mampaey’s (BE) team is now just three points behind the leaders Audi Sport Team Phoenix and newly-crowned DTM champion Mike Rockenfeller (DE). BMW is also just eight points behind Audi in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Marco Wittmann (DE) has already secured the title of “Rookie of the Year” ahead of the race in Hockenheim. The 23-year-old succeeds Farfus as the best newcomer in the popular touring car series.

Quotes ahead of the finale in Hockenheim:

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“BMW has always done well in the DTM at the Hockenheimring. We have won more races there than anywhere else, and we obviously still have fond memories of Bruno Spengler’s victory in 2012 and Augusto Farfus at the opening race of the 2013 season. That said, we face a big challenge at the finale, as there are still two titles up for grabs in both the Manufacturers’ and Team Championships. We are well within striking distance in both competitions. Furthermore, this will also be the last race for the BMW M3 DTM before we line up with the BMW M4 DTM next year. We obviously want to bid farewell with a top result befitting of this great car. We are well prepared going into the final race, and are looking forward to the many fans and the unique atmosphere at the season finale.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“We are determined to end the 2013 season with a good result. Our first trip to Hockenheim this year produced one of the season’s real highlights, when Dirk Werner fought back from 20th on the grid to finish runner-up. And Bruno Spengler won the final race of 2012 there. Hockenheim is an absolute DTM classic, and the circuit suits the BMW M3 DTM. I think the stage is set for an exciting end to the 2013 season.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):

“We are only three points off the lead in the Team competition. My crew will obviously be going all out to head home from the final race in Hockenheim with the trophy. However, regardless of what happens at the finale, it is still fantastic what we have achieved in only our second season in the DTM. Everyone in BMW Team RBM has been utterly committed to the cause, and that makes me incredibly proud. If we can get a similar result to the ones we enjoyed in Zandvoort or at the season-opener in Hockenheim, we can still win the Team title. That would be absolutely fantastic.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):

“Our second year in the DTM was definitely more difficult than the first. We had set our sights high after the promising debut in 2012. Unfortunately not everything went to plan, and we had more than our share of bad luck. Because of this, I hope our team and both our drivers are rewarded for all the hard work they have put in this year in Hockenheim, and that we can end the season with a good result.”

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):

“For BMW Team MTEK, the DTM adventure began just six months ago in Hockenheim. Now we return to the scene of our first race. We have an exciting, informative and very intense year behind us. I think we can be very proud of what we have achieved in 2013. We definitely have something we can build on. Hopefully we can set down another marker at the end of the season and head into the winter break on the back of a good result.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 1, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“The race in Hockenheim is always very special for me. I will never forget that moment at the 2012 finale, when I crossed the line to win my first DTM title. I would have liked to retain the number one on my car, but it was not meant to be this year. Now we have to look ahead. I will push hard again in the final race and try to give the fans a win to end the season. In 2014 I will once again go all out to win back the Drivers’ title for BMW.”

Dirk Werner (car number 2, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“It is a shame we have reached the final race of the season again. I am really looking forward to Hockenheim, as I have always done well at this circuit so far. I have been quite happy with both my speed and the results lately. Everyone always tries to put together one more special performance in the final race, and to head into the winter break with a good feeling. There is obviously still a lot at stake for us, as we can defend the title in the Manufacturers’ Championship for BMW. I will do my very best to help achieve this goal.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 7, BMW Team RBM):

“BMW Team RBM has done fantastically well in only its second season in the DTM. We are assured of second place in the Drivers’ Championship, and it is awesome to still be in with a chance of winning the Team competition ahead of the final race. If we stay focussed, we can clinch the title. I would like to end the season as it began: with victory in Hockenheim.”

Joey Hand (car number 8, BMW Team RBM):

“Quick sections, tight corners, hard braking points – that is exactly my kind of thing. The circuit really suits my driving style. I picked up points for seventh at the start of the year, and that was important for the rest of the season. On the whole, I am happy with my second year in the DTM – and will push hard one final time as we attempt to win the Team competition with BMW Team RBM. The guys would fully deserve it.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 15, BMW Team RMG):

“As it is every year, the final race in Hockenheim is a very special event for the fans and us drivers. A tiring and fraught season, in which I struggled with a lot of bad luck and some difficulties, is drawing to an end. Despite this, I will push hard again at the finale. Hockenheim is a fantastic circuit, with a bit of everything to set a driver’s pulse racing.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 16, BMW Team RMG):

“I have enjoyed my best races in the DTM in Hockenheim. The end of the season is always a particularly intense event. It is a worthy finale, at which the fans are traditionally treated to great motorsport. Hockenheim is a dream track for the fans. The circuit has a very good rhythm and requires a flowing driving style. I think BMW will once again be very strong across the board here.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 21, BMW Team MTEK):

“After claiming my first pole position in the DTM, I would like to get another good result at the final race of the season in Hockenheim. After a disappointing qualifying, I made it into the top ten in my very first DTM race at this circuit. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

Timo Glock (car number 22, BMW Team MTEK):

“It is a shame that the season will soon be over. It has really flown by. I am looking forward to the finale in Hockenheim, as I now have a bit more experience in a DTM car. Furthermore, our performance was really good there at the start of the season. Hopefully we can pick up plenty of points to enable BMW to defend its title in the Manufacturers’ Championship. It would be great for my team and me if we could head into the DTM break on the back of a good result.”