Wittmann wins Saturday’s race ahead of Blomqvist
Pole sitter Marco Wittmann (DE) won Saturday’s 40-minute race at the Nürburgring (DE) in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM. In doing so, he presented BMW Team RMG, which is based in nearby Andernach (DE), with a home win. Wittmann’s third win of the season saw him extend his lead at the top of the DTM Drivers’ Championship.
He now has 155 points to his name, giving the 2014 champion a 35-point lead over Robert Wickens (CA, Mercedes). Tom Blomqvist (GB) also produced an impressive display at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM and came home second behind Wittmann to complete the 19th one-two for BMW in the DTM.
Victory on the DTM’s 50th appearance at the Nürburgring means BMW has now amassed 73 wins in this series.
As well as Wittmann and Blomqvist, Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and Maxime Martin (BE, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) also scored valuable points, coming home fifth and eighth. Their fine results contributed to BMW maintaining its lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship. In the team competition, BMW Team RMG continue to top the standings, courtesy of Wittmann’s victory.
Bruno Spengler (CA) also drove an excellent race in the BMW Bank M4 DTM, but was forced to take a drive-through penalty following a collision with Daniel Juncadella (ES, Mercedes). He consequently dropped out of the points and ultimately finished 18th.
Martin Tomczyk (DE), at the wheel of the BMW M Performance Parts BMW M4 DTM sporting a special anniversary design to mark the centenary of the BMW Group, came home 16th. António Félix da Costa (PT, BMW M4 DTM) and Augusto Farfus (BR, Shell BMW M4 DTM) finished 20th and 22nd.
Reactions to the 13th race of the 2016 DTM season
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “We were once again treated to ‘Mega Marco’ today. He claimed the home win for BMW Team RMG in dominant fashion, thanks to a top-class performance – and on the 50th appearance of the DTM in the Eifel Mountains. Tom Blomqvist also did a fantastic job. He was under pressure for the entire race, and pushed himself to the limit right to the finish. Timo Glock and Maxime Martin also scored a lot of valuable points for their teams. It is a shame that Bruno Spengler was given a drive-through penalty while running sixth. He spotted his chance against Daniel Juncadella, but then made contact. The penalty was justified. Martin Tomczyk could also have finished in the points, but unfortunately he was forced off the track. All in all, however, it was a virtually perfect day for us. We witnessed some fantastic touring car racing. We are now focussed on tomorrow, when there are more important points up for grabs.”
Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, 1st place): “That was a mega race. I am absolutely delighted with the win – not only for me, but also for my team, which has won at its home event for the third year in a row. I had a very good start and was able to defend my lead in the first corner. After that, I just tried to open a gap ahead of Tom Blomqvist and keep my rhythm. After the guys behind me were involved in a few battles, I had a comfortable lead. All I had to do then was bring it home.”
Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Nürburgring, 3.629 kilometres, 40 minutes plus 1 lap
Conditions:
Sunny, 25 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#11 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 1st place
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 2nd place
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team RMG, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 5th place
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RBM, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 8th place
#100 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 16th place
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 18th place
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M4 DTM – 20th place
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team MTEK, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 22nd place
Useful information:
Marco Wittmann claimed his second victory in a row, after winning Sunday’s race in Moscow (RU), and his third of the current season. He now has a total of eight victories to his name in the DTM.
BMW Team RMG won at its home event at the Nürburgring for the third year in a row. Wittmann won the only race in 2014. Maxime Martin won Saturday’s race in 2015.
Tom Blomqvist finished runner-up for the fourth time this season.
Marco Wittmann started from pole position despite qualifying second. This is because Lucas Auer (AT, Mercedes) received a penalty and was relegated five places on the grid.
The front row consisted of two BMW drivers for the third time this season – and for the third time it was Marco Wittmann on pole and Tom Blomqvist in second place.
Wittmann/Blomqvist started from the front row on the Sunday in Moscow, and eventually came home first and second. Because of this, they have now achieved this feat twice.
The second qualifying session begins at 12:50 on Sunday. Before that, the third practice session is scheduled for 10:40.
