Munich. As is tradition, the 2017 DTM season will finish where
it started back in May: The BMW teams will contest the final two
races of the year at Hockenheim (GER) this weekend. Marco Wittmann
(GER) arrives at the season finale in fifth place in the Drivers’
Championship, 38 points from the lead and still with a mathematical
chance of retaining his title. The BMW teams are looking to bring an
eventful season to a close with more positive results.
The situation:
At the last event, Marco Wittmann finished in the points in both
races at the Red Bull Ring (AUT). With 134 points to his name, he
currently lies fifth in the Drivers’ Championship going into the
finale. Wittmann trails leader Mattias Ekström (SWE, Audi) by 38
points, with a total of 56 points available at Hockenheim. Prior to
the final round of the season, BMW has two further drivers in the top
ten, namely Timo Glock (GER) in seventh place and Maxime Martin (BEL)
in ninth. BMW Team RBM, in fourth place, is the best of the BMW crews
in the team competition, while BMW lies third in the Manufacturers’
Championship with 484 points. As well as the action and the race for
the title, fans at Hockenheim can also look forward to a visit from
Japanese manufacturers Nismo and Lexus, who will complete a number of
demonstration laps with their cars.
The expectations:
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt: “The finale
at Hockenheim marks the end of what has been an eventful 2017 DTM
season in many regards. In the 16 races so far, our teams have claimed
three victories and 14 podium finishes. Marco Wittmann still has a
mathematical chance of defending his Drivers’ title, although his fate
is no longer in his own hands. One thing is already certain, every
single team member has given their all in the previous race weekends –
and we now want to head into the break on the back of some good
results. Looking ahead, it is positive to see the Japanese
manufacturers at Hockenheim. We promised the DTM fans that we would
fight for the future of this series. That is precisely what we are doing.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG): “We
head to Hockenheim at the end of a tough season and have at least a
mathematical chance of defending the Drivers’ title with Marco
Wittmann. That shows how hard we have fought, despite a number of
issues, and how much we have improved over the course of the season.
Even before the finale, I am very grateful to the entire team for
that. We will now do our best to end the year on a high at Hockenheim.”
Marco Wittmann (#11, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 72 races, 8 wins,
19 podiums, 9 pole positions, 657 points, 2 Drivers’
titles): “For me, an exciting and, on the whole, positive DTM
season draws to a close at Hockenheim. We have had some highs and lows
over the course of the year, but have fought back well with good
performances and results, particularly in the final third of the
season. I am obviously looking to continue this trend at the season
finale, and to go into the winter break on the back of some strong
results. Generally speaking, anything is possible at Hockenheim. I am
looking forward to an exciting showdown – particularly for the fans.”
Augusto Farfus (#15, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 82 races, 4 wins, 12
podiums, 6 pole positions, 374 points): “This season has
often been an emotional rollercoaster, and I would really like to end
the year with some good results. I really like the circuit, and have
enjoyed a lot of success there in the past. I am very motivated going
into this weekend.”
Timo Glock (#16, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 72 races, 4 wins,
8 podiums, 3 pole positions, 328 points): “The best DTM
season of my career so far is drawing to a close. I would love – for
my team and my long-term partner Deutsche Post – to finish with some
more good results and to end the year as high as possible in the
Drivers’ Championship. If I manage that, there will be enough cause to
celebrate a little on Sunday evening.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM): “Before
the season finale in Hockenheim, it is time to draw some initial
conclusions. We are currently fourth in the Teams’ competition at the
end of a season of highs and lows. On the whole, we can be really
happy with that. Thank you to the entire team and our drivers for
their commitment. Hopefully, we will be rewarded for our hard work
again at Hockenheim.”
Bruno Spengler (#7, BMW Bank BMW M4 DTM – 155 races, 15 wins,
48 podiums, 18 pole positions, 832 points, 1 Drivers’
title): “The atmosphere at the season finale at Hockenheim is
always very special. Since I won my DTM title there in 2012, the venue
has always had very fond memories and emotions for me. Hopefully we
can end the year with another top result.”
Tom Blomqvist (#31, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM – 52 races,
1 win, 5 podiums, 2 pole positions, 194 points): “It has
been a tough season for me. As such, it would obviously be nice to
finish with a success. We’ll have to wait and see whether that is the
case. The opposition will be very strong again, but we now know our
car better than we did at the season opener at the same venue. Let’s
see what we can do. It will definitely be interesting.”
Maxime Martin (#36, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 62 races, 3 wins, 10
podiums, 3 pole positions, 341 points): “I have done well
at the season finale at Hockenheim in the past. Hopefully that will be
the case again this year. Marco does at least still have a
mathematical chance of retaining the title. Let’s see what we can do
in the final two races.”
The history:
In total, no fewer than 84 DTM races have taken place at the
Hockenheimring. BMW has 14 wins, ten pole positions and 40 podiums to
its name. At the season opener in May, Timo Glock secured pole
position and finished runner-up in race one. Marco Wittmann also made
it onto the podium, finishing third in race two. Wittmann is also the
last BMW driver to have climbed onto the top step of the podium in
Hockenheim, in 2014. Back then, Wittmann won the opening race to claim
BMW’s 60th victory in the DTM. That was also his first win
in the series. At the end of that year, the BMW Team RMG driver lifted
the trophy awarded to the champion driver.
The media schedule:
Friday, 13th October
14:30-15:00hrs, ITR press conference with Timo Glock, Media Centre
Saturday, 14th October
16:55-17:05hrs, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Centre
Sunday, 15th October
10:40-11:10hrs, Interview session with BMW Motorsport Director Jens
Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Hospitality
13:00-13:30hrs, Interview session with BMW Brand Ambassador Alex
Zanardi, BMW Motorsport Hospitality
17:40-17:50hrs, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Centre
The service:
BMW Motorsport offers an innovative Chatbot service for journalists
in the 2017 DTM season. This allows users to receive the latest
information directly to their smartphone via WhatsApp Messenger. 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