Reactions to the seventh DTM race at the Nürburgring.

Nürburgring (DE), 17th August 2014. Marco Wittmann (DE) clinched his fourth win of the DTM season at the Nürburgring (DE), extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship in the process. He also presented BMW Team RMG with its fifth win of the season in front of almost 80,000 spectators at the team’s home race. Wittmann was joined in the points by Maxime Martin (BE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE). The 35 points scored in the Eifel Mountains also saw BMW break the 1,000-point mark since the manufacturer returned to the DTM in 2012. Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the team principals and the eight drivers had to say after the seventh race of the season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“That was another sensational race from Marco Wittmann. He once again produced a flawless display at the wheel of the heaviest car in the field. The third pole position of the season yesterday, followed by win number four today: Marco and the BMW M4 DTM are the perfect package at the moment. I am very proud of him. After the disappointing qualifying result on Saturday, a couple of our other drivers also picked up points. We witnessed fantastic, exciting fightbacks from Maxime Martin and Martin Tomczyk. Although it is looking very good for Marco in the Drivers’ Championship, we will remain fully focussed. There are still three races to come, with 75 points up for grabs. In the name of the BMW Motorsport family, I would like to dedicate this victory on this special weekend to Dieter Lamm.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“I am overwhelmed. To win our home race here at the Nürburgring with BMW Team RMG is very special for the team and me. Marco Wittmann was not the only one who produced a magnificent performance. Maxime Martin also finished in the points for us. It does not get much better than this. When you look at the overall standings, we took a big step forward today. By winning here today, Marco proved emphatically that he fully deserves to lead the championship. I would like to thank the team and, of course, BMW. At this time of celebration, we are also thinking of Dieter Lamm, who is sadly no longer with us.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Given the events of the last two weeks, this was not an easy race weekend here at the Nürburgring for BMW Team Schnitzer. On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank BMW Motorsport, the entire DTM and, of course, the fans in Germany and around the world for their sympathy and support. Congratulations to Stefan Reinhold and BMW Team RMG on their home win here at the Nürburgring. For us, it was nice to see Martin Tomczyk in the points after a strong race. As far as Bruno Spengler is concerned, we made a strategic error that, given the circumstances, cost him points.” 

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“Congratulations to Marco Wittmann and BMW Team RMG on a sensational performance. Our team did a good job again, but it is obviously frustrating that hard battles so early on in the race dashed any chance Timo Glock might have had.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“Congratulations to Marco Wittmann and the other BMW drivers who finished in the points. Given the high performance weights, that is a great result. In contrast, it was a disappointing race for us. The collision with Jamie Green cost Augusto Farfus any chance of a good result.” 

Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG, 1st):
Tyres: Option-Prime
“Pole position and victory made it a perfect weekend at the Nürburgring for me and the team. I had a very good start, led going into turn one, and was able to pull away quickly. My pit stop was also quick and flawless, and that allowed me to stay out in front. The team did a fantastic job. I made a slight mistake in the middle of the race. I braked too late and had to swerve through the chicane. Fortunately that hardly cost me any time. My tyres started to wear towards the end of the race, and I came under pressure again from Mike Rockenfeller. However, I was able to defend my lead and clinch the win at BMW Team RMG’s home race. I am delighted to have been able to give my guys this gift. I would like to dedicate this success to Dieter Lamm, who introduced me to the BMW Motorsport family a few years ago.”

Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG, 7th):
Tyres: Option-Prime
“Starting from P12 and finishing seventh – I would say that was a good race. It was quite tough in the beginning, but then I found a good rhythm. In my second stint on prime tyres I suffered a little bit, but at the end we are scoring points for the team and for BMW. Now let’s see for the next race.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer, 8th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
“It obviously feels superb to come through from towards the back of the grid to finish eighth. All in all it was a tough weekend for the entire team. But it was not easy for anyone at BMW Motorsport. For this reason, I would particularly like to congratulate Marco Wittmann. He came up with the goods for BMW today.” 

Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer, 12th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
“That was a weekend to forget for us. We only really had the pace on the option tyres in the race. Unfortunately a mistake with the strategy also cost us more positions. We will have to put this race behind us quickly and concentrate on the remaining three rounds. BMW Team Schnitzer has been through a tough time. Despite the disappointing result today, I am proud of the team. And congratulations to Marco Wittmann and BMW Team RMG on their home win.” 

António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK, 13th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
“P13 is not a dream result but I have to say that this was probably one of my best races in the DTM, even though it does not look like it and we are pretty far away from the points. Today, for the first time, I felt really good in a long stint. But obviously it will always be difficult when you start from quite a long way back on the grid. I had some good fights on the track and the car was really good.”

Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM, 14th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
“The race was quite chaotic. I made a good start and gained some places on the first lap, but the car did not feel right at the start and we struggled with the balance. I lost some places as a result, but then the problems disappeared and I was actually really quick at the end of my first stint. The car also felt good on the option tyres. However, it is not easy to make up a decisive number of places when you are in such a close bunch of cars in the DTM.”

Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK, 17th):
Tyres: Prime-Option
“My race was pretty much over after three corners. I collided with Mattias Ekström and seriously damaged my car in the process. I then had the battle with Gary Paffett later in the race, during which we made contact a few times. That must have been nice for the spectators, but it did not do me any good. I must ensure I get back to starting from further up the grid in the coming races. It is always tight in the pack. Congratulations to Marco Wittmann on his fourth win of the season. Respect to his performances this season.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 3, BMW Team RBM, DNF):
Tyres: Option-Prime
“I am very disappointed. Jamie Green was on the inside and once we touched he kept pushing me outside all the way out of the track limits. I think there was no need for that, but I want to take the time to see the footage before I can judge if it was a fair or an unfair manoeuvre.  Anyway, it cost me my race. We had so much damage on the car, but we tried to keep it out on the track in case the weather changed. That did not happen, so we retired.”