Spielberg.
Joel Eriksson (SWE, BMW M4 DTM) was the best-placed BMW driver
in the third to race of the DTM season at the Red Bull Ring (AUT).
The BMW Team RBM rookie crossed the line in fifth place to record a
top-five finish for the third time this season. Timo Glock (GER,
DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) finished seventh to score more points in
the drivers’ championship. Philipp Eng (AUT, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM)
claimed ninth place in his home race. As on Saturday, victory went
to Audi driver René Rast (GER).
Marco Wittmann (GER, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM) missed out on the
points in 14th place. However, he remains the best-placed
BMW driver in the drivers’ standings, in fourth position with 143
points. Bruno Spengler (CAN, BMW Bank M4 DTM) ended the race in
15th place, while Augusto Farfus (BRA, Shell BMW M4 DTM)
retired due to technical problems.
Reactions to Sunday’s race in Spielberg:
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Our drivers really had to battle hard for their points today.
Unfortunately, fifth, seventh and ninth places were the best we could
have done today. Joel Eriksson drove a very solid, consistent race. He
was pretty much able to keep with the speed of the Mercedes ahead of
him, but he didn’t have enough to mount an attack. Timo Glock made a
great start but then got caught up in traffic and we were also unable
to push him further forward with our strategy. Philipp Eng also worked
hard to score his two points with a very strong finish. We had hoped
to do better but now we will concentrate on preparing for Hockenheim
to record some top results again in the season finale. Congratulations
to Mercedes on winning the manufacturers’ championship – and to René
Rast on his victory.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“We can be semi-satisfied with Timo Glock’s result. At least he was
able to score some points. After a difficult qualifying session, we
weren’t able to improve on Marco Wittmann’s and Augusto Farfus’
positions. Augusto was pushed off to one side and then started to
suffer from technical problems. We will have to take a close look at
that to see if there is any connection. We will carry on battling and
try to score plenty of points again at Hockenheim.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, BMW Team
RMG – qualifying result: 17th place, race result:
14th place, points: 143):
“We just didn’t have the performance to get into the top-ten today.
After qualifying, we made an early stop in the race and gambled on
having a safety car period. That didn’t happen. That finished off our
chances of finishing higher up. Overall, it was a disappointing day.
It’s Hockenheim up next, where I’d like to do better to round off the season.”
Augusto Farfus (#15 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG –
qualifying result: 16th place, race result: DNF, points:
50):
“The start went pretty well, all in all. But then we had a technical
problem that was probably connected to an earlier battle. It is a real
shame that we had to retire early but we didn’t have much of a chance
in any case.”
Timo Glock (#16 DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
qualifying result: 7th place, race result: 7th
place, points: 127):
“I actually had a very good start but then I got caught up in a bit
of a tussle in the first turn and lost some places. My speed was
pretty much OK after that, but the top three were just too fast. We’ve
got to be satisfied with finishing seventh.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“It was a good race for Joel Eriksson. After starting the day off
with a strong qualifying performance, he was able to defend his
position. We had a good pit stop and Joel then also did a good job on
the lap out of the pits. Congratulations to him and the whole team.
Philipp Eng then rounded off the good team result by finishing in the
points. However, we have to continue working on our pace.”
Philipp Eng (#25 SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR – qualifying
result: 10th place, race result: 9th place,
points: 98):
“I am very pleased with my speed, particularly in the second stint.
Since the Nürburgring weekend, the team and I have been working hard
to improve my tyre management during the race. That really paid off
here. Unfortunately, I did get hit with a penalty after my collision
with Lucas Auer, even though I couldn’t do anything about it as I was pushed.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – qualifying
result: 15th place, race result: 15th place,
points: 75):
“I had a bit of bad luck in turn three and had to brake as there was
contact between two or three cars in front of me. That cost me plenty
of places, although I had made a very good start. Of course, it was
not easy to overtake after that, as everyone was able to use DRS. Now
we have to analyse what we can improve ahead of Hockenheim, so that
all the BMWs do better again in qualifying. Then it will be a
different story in the race.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – qualifying
result: 6th place, race result: 5th place,
points: 60):
“I am satisfied with my race and with the result. We made the most
out of our opportunities today. It was not easy to get the tyre
management right but it worked out in the end – and we were able to
score some good points for me and the team.”