Munich. For the fifth race weekend of the 2018 DTM season, BMW
M Motorsport heads to the North Sea where races nine and ten will be
held at Zandvoort (NED). The “Circuit Park” there is an iconic track
in the dunes – demanding and fast in equal measure. BMW drivers have
brought home a total of four wins there since 2012 and are eager to
end the first half of the 2018 season with a strong performance.
BMW Team RMG’s Marco Wittmann (GER) is currently the best-placed BMW
driver in the overall standings. With 92 points to his name, he is in
third place. His team-mate Timo Glock (GER) has clocked up the same
number of points, but is in fourth place due to a lower number of wins
(Wittmann two wins, Glock one win). Wittmann in particular is full of
confidence heading to the North Sea coast. He recently finished on the
podium three times in a row, which saw him consistently make up ground
on the leaders in the driver’s standings.
Quotes ahead of the DTM races at Zandvoort.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Zandvoort is one of the absolute highlights of the DTM year and the
first half of the season will come to an end there. We can draw
positive interim conclusions, not only because we have brought home
three wins and seven other podiums in the races to date, but also
because the fans have experienced gripping duels, thrilling motorsport
and many emotions. We are convinced that this will be the case once
again at the demanding Zandvoort dune track. We are really looking
forward to the coming weekend as the ‘Circuit Park’ right on the sea
is always a very special location.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):
“Zandvoort is always worth the journey for the fans as that is where
they get to experience the unique combination of beach, sea and
thrilling motorsport. We have good memories of this track, on which we
have been very successful in the past. We can be pleased with the
season progress to date as well, particularly after Marco’s home win.
However, we are aware that it is only the end of the first half of the
season at the North Sea, and we still have a way to go. We are also
keen to build on Augusto’s success there last season.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, BMW Team
RMG – 3rd place in the overall standings, points: 92):
“Zandvoort is one of my favourite tracks. I have enjoyed more success
in the DTM there than on almost any other track to date. I have
already brought home some wins and pole positions there, and am really
looking forward to it. Naturally, I am taking a lot of momentum from
the Norisring with me. I had a week off after my home race, and now my
batteries are recharged.”
Augusto Farfus (#15 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG –
18th place in the overall standings, points: 8):
“Zandvoort is a highlight. In 2017, I had the strongest DTM weekend
of the season there. I hope that it will go well for me again this
time. It is the best track of the year probably, together with Brands
Hatch. I will definitely push there. The layout is really nice and I
like the high-speed sectors in particular.”
Timo Glock (#16 DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
4th place in the overall standings, points: 92):
“Zandvoort has always been a really good track for us to date. Of
course, that applies to me in 2017 in particular, when I won. I hope
that we will have the optimum set-up there again this time. My rhythm
at the Norisring was not very good. I will give it my all to make sure
things are better at Zandvoort.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):
“Zandvoort is an old-school track with plenty of fast turns and its
own character. It’s not without reason that the ‘Circuit Park’ is
often referred to as a roller coaster. Also, there are not many other
racetracks in such a great environment. For us, Zandvoort is almost a
home event, it is only about 200 kilometres from our team HQ in
Mechelen which is why the whole team is really looking forward to the
race weekend.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM –
9th place in the overall standings, points: 43):
“Zandvoort is a really great track that is a lot of fun. The layout
is a little old-fashioned, and the wind is also a factor there. The
conditions can change from one lap to the next. In qualifying in
particular, you need a bit of luck. If the wind blows fresh sand onto
the track on your fast lap, it’s critical. The car needs to do well in
the fast turns in particular.”
Philipp Eng (#25 SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
7th place in the overall standings, points: 53):
“I have always enjoyed success at Zandvoort in the past. I frequently
had my strongest weekend in the one-make cups there. I hope that I can
deliver a similar performance in the DTM. No doubt the fast and
medium-speed turns will suit our car. Of course, the qualifying
session is particularly important as it is very difficult to overtake
at Zandvoort.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – 12th
place in the overall standings, points: 25):
“After the quite difficult weekend at the Norisring I am now looking
forward to Zandvoort. I had some good history there in Formula 3. I
won the Masters of Formula 3 and raced to the podium in 2017. I really
like the circuit. It is kind of my style of track; there is no real
room for mistakes. I think it should be a good weekend for us.”
Media Schedule.
Friday, 13th July
14:00-14:30 CEST, ITR press conference with Bruno Spengler, Media Center
Saturday, 14th July
15:30-15:40 CEST, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center
Sunday, 15th July
15:30-15:40 CEST, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center
Statistics service.
BMW Motorsport offers a Chatbot service for journalists also in the
2018 DTM season. This allows users to receive the latest information
directly to their smartphone. The information available includes
driver statistics, statements and photos. You can register for the BMW
Motorsport Chatbot at the following link: http://bit.ly/BMW_Motorsport_Media_Broadcast_EN