Impressive qualifying for BMW: Glock starts from front row – Wittmann and Farfus also in the top four

Spielberg (AT), 2nd August 2014. Timo Glock (DE) missed out on the first pole position of his DTM career by just six thousandths of a second. He clocked a fastest lap of 1:25.181mins at the wheel of the DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM in Spielberg (AT), and was only knocked off the top spot at the very last moment by Robert Wickens (CA, Mercedes). Another two BMW drivers occupy the second row of the grid, in the form of Marco Wittmann (DE, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM) and Augusto Farfus (BR, Castrol EDGE BMW M4 DTM). The winner from Moscow, Maxime Martin (BE), also progressed to the third, and all-important, qualifying session, finishing eighth fastest in the SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM.

Also in the top ten were Joey Hand (US, Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M4 DTM) in ninth and Bruno Spengler (CA, BMW Bank M4 DTM) in tenth. Therefore, the top ten on the grid features six BMW M4 DTMs for the second time, after the race in Budapest (HU). Just outside the top ten are Martin Tomczyk (DE, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) and António Félix da Costa (PT, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM), who start from 11th and 13th. The sixth race of the year begins at 13:30 on Sunday (live on ARD).

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“We are very happy with the result of this qualifying. It is excellent. Timo Glock ultimately missed out on the first pole position of his DTM career by just six thousandths of a second. That was a very strong performance. In Marco Wittmann and Augusto Farfus we have another two BMW drivers on the front two rows of the grid. They are followed closely by Maxime Martin, Joey Hand, Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk – and all that despite the performance weight, which is not on our side here. Marco, in particular, but also the other BMW drivers are at a clear disadvantage here. Congratulations to Mercedes-Benz and Robert Wickens on their pole position. We are now looking forward to tomorrow’s race, which we go into very well placed.”

Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK, 2nd):

“It is fantastic for us to start from the front row, as we did in Budapest. I got a good lap under my belt in Q2, which was very important. The third session was tricky at first. I did not have any grip any more, as the sun had disappeared. Only on my third lap did I clock my fastest time. It is a shame it was not quite enough for pole, but I am still very proud. And it is also great that the other BMWs are up there at the front of the field. That gives me a lot of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s race.” 

Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG, 3rd):

“We were a bit surprised with how quick we were in qualifying, and that we were in contention for pole position. It did not look good at all in practice. Third place on the grid is an excellent position going into the race. The priority for me is to score more valuable points and, if possible, finish on the podium.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 3, BMW Team RBM, 4th):

“Fourth place is okay. We are heading in the right direction. It is good to be getting closer to the front-runners. I think we can have a good race tomorrow. Our goal is now definitely the podium, and that is definitely possible if we get off to a good start.” 

Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG, 8th):

“I think we had the pace to qualify higher up the grid. It did not all go to plan on the last set of tyres in Q3. But eighth place is okay. I made it into the final qualifying session again. I am determined to work my way up through the field in the race.”

Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM, 9th):

“That was the best qualifying of my season so far. Ninth place is not exactly perfect, but this circuit is always good to me. We made some good changes to the car after the difficult first practice session. My car has a good balance and I believe I have a good chance in the race – particularly on the option tyres.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer, 10th):

“I was not far off eighth, but the gap to first place is too big. We did not manage to find the optimal set-up in practice, which is why I am not satisfied with this position. However, I showed in Budapest that we can work our way to the front in the race. I will try to do that again tomorrow.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer, 11th):

“Eleventh place on the grid is an improvement compared to recent races, but it is still not what I was aiming for. However, you cannot expect to take a huge step forward in three weeks. I worked hard with BMW and my team, and we have managed to improve a few positions. We must remain on the ball now. At least the starting position for the race is better than it has been. And I have already proven that I am quick in the race.” 

António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK, 13th):

“I expected more, so I am a bit disappointed. I always start strongly in Q1, but cannot improve sufficiently from there compared to many of the other drivers. We will have to analyse why that is. However, I am still confident about the race, as we have good pace on the long runs.”