BMW Team MTEK will be responsible for Zanardi’s guest appearance, as
was also the case at the Vallelunga (ITA) test two weeks ago.
Zanardi’s pit stops will be performed by BMW Team RMR. The team, which
consists of members of the RMG and RBM BMW teams, is actively involved
in the DTM and is well acquainted with DTM pit stop procedures.
The fact that it is a night race has pushed the schedule back. The
first free practice session takes place at 21:30 on Friday. Qualifying
sessions start at 20:00 on Saturday and Sunday. The races on Saturday
and Sunday will both start at 22:30.
After twelve out of 20 races, Marco Wittmann (GER) is currently the
best-placed BMW driver in the overall standings in third place with
110 points. Timo Glock (GER) is in sixth position, with 101 points.
The Misano circuit is uncharted territory for many drivers. In June of
this year, Bruno Spengler (CAN) competed there with the BMW M6 GT3 in
the Italian GT Championship. Philipp Eng (AUT) has appeared there in
the Blancpain GT Sprint Series in the last two years. Augusto Farfus
(BRA) also knows the circuit – however, when he competed in Formula
Renault, races took place in the opposite direction.
Quotes ahead of the DTM races at Misano.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“The first ever DTM night-race plus a race weekend at Misano with
enthusiastic Italian fans and our local hero and guest starter Alex
Zanardi will be, without a doubt, an absolute highlight of the 2018
DTM season. Night races are always especially spectacular, but they
are something completely new for our drivers, teams and engineers in
the DTM. We also have to get to know the Misano circuit. We have some
exciting challenges ahead and we are looking forward to taking them
on. From a sporting perspective, naturally we want to improve our
track record for the year here in Italy. One thing that’s already
certain is that it will be a very emotional weekend. It won’t only be
us getting goose bumps watching Alex Zanardi compete in a BMW M4 DTM
in front of his home fans. Big thanks to the BMW Motorsport team, who
took on the challenge of equipping Alex with the ideal technology he
needs to control the car. Countless hours and days have been spent on
the innovative solutions. The result is a unique system that will give
Alex the opportunity to push limits in the two exhausting DTM sprint
races on the Adriatic coast. It will certainly be a pleasure to see
him on track. I can only say: Forza, Alex!”
Alessandro Zanardi (BMW M4 DTM):
“In this long career of mine, I’ve often looked at the next big race
knowing I was one of the main contenders to possibly win it. This time
will be different, though it’s equally electrifying to be engaged
again at the highest level of motorsport and I can’t wait to start BMW
M4 DTM’s engine. I’ve been able to fit so many different things into
this life of mine and as far of my motorsport experience, out of all
the intriguing things I cared to do in my career, DTM was really one
of the few I was lacking. I want to thank BMW for the opportunity and
the BMW engineers, who once more did a brilliant job in modifying the
car to support me and my needs to the best. I’m looking forward to
starting a spectacular race weekend in front of all the many fans who
will come to support us and I hope that the night race at Misano will
an unforgettable experience be for them all.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):
“We are all really looking forward to Misano. The circuit is new for
everyone involved. We don’t have any frame of reference and we are
starting pretty much from scratch on Friday. The schedule also
represents an interesting challenge. The team has to deal with the
switch from familiar processes to days that start later and end in the
middle of the night. We are looking forward to the night races, which
will undoubtedly be a great spectacle for the fans. It is also great
to have Alex with us in the BMW family. He is a great person and I am
sure he will delight DTM fans. We absolutelywant to close the gap at
the top and make sure we are involved in the battle for the best
positions in both races.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, BMW Team
RMG – 3rdplace in the overall standings, points: 110):
“I am looking forward to Misano. It is uncharted territory for me and
it is a circuit where I need to try to find my rhythm as quickly as
possible but I think that the whole event will be spectacular. It is
the first night race in the DTM and the whole time schedule will be
different. I am also looking forward to having Alex Zanardi on board
with us for both of the DTM races. That will be a really special
moment for him and his fans.”
Augusto Farfus (#15 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG –
13thplace in the overall standings, points: 40):
“I know the circuit from when races took place in the opposite
direction. I celebrated my first-ever motorsport win there, in the
Formula Renault. The atmosphere there is superb. The circuit isn’t far
from the beach and we will be driving in the first DTM night races. We
will have enough light to be able to see the track in the dark. After
my podium at Brands Hatch, I am hoping that we can take this momentum
to Misano.”
Timo Glock (#16 DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
6thplace in the overall standings, points: 101):
“I am excited to find out what it will be like to drive a DTM car in
the dark for the first time. It is also a new circuit for us and we
hope that the layout suits our car. In general, I hope that our luck
returns as it’s gone missing a bit recently. I am looking forward to
Alex Zanardi and it will be fascinating to see how he does – and how
the first night race in the history of the DTM turns out.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):
“It’s always interesting when we compete in Italy. It’s the holiday
season and Alex Zanardi’s appearance guarantees a lot of public
interest. The Misano circuit is still new for our team. We will
certainly have some challenges to deal with and we will try to prepare
ourselves as well as possible. I will also chat with Alex about his
impressions of the DTM car and Misano. We will try to get at least one
of our drivers onto the podium and to contribute to what will
hopefully be a fantastic Italian race weekend.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM –
12thplace in the overall standings, points: 43):
“I’ve only experienced night-time driving in 24-hour races but that
is a bit different, as the lighting systems on a DTM car are not set
up for darkness like those on an endurance car. However, the Misano
circuit should be very well lit. I am definitely excited as this will
be a new challenge and super interesting. It is brilliant that we have
Alex Zanardi in our team. I drove with him at the Spa 24-hour race and
I am a great fan of Alex. It is wonderful to have him in the team in
the DTM, especially in his Italian homeland. The Misano circuit is
really cool. I drove there in the Italian GT Championship this year.
It is really interesting for DTM cars and offers some overtaking
opportunities for a good show.”
Philipp Eng (#25 SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
8thplace in the overall standings, points: 83):
“I am already looking forward to Misano and I think it’s going to be
a cool event. In 2016 and 2017, the Saturday race in the Blancpain GT
Sprint Series took place at night and that produced some really
spectacular pictures. It was fantastic for the drivers too and I am
sure it will be even better in the DTM car. I think there will be
plenty of glowing brake discs and exhaust flames on show. The circuit
suits me and it feels good. I like racing there.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM –
15thplace in the overall standings, points: 27):
“Misano is another new circuit for me, and a new type of race. Up to
now, I’ve not experienced night racing. That will be a big challenge
but I think it will be easier to learn the Misano circuit than it was
at the old-school race track at Brands Hatch. I am really looking
forward to it as everyone says that it’s a great circuit that is a lot
of fun. I am sure it will be fantastic to drive a DTM car there.”