Last year, Marco Wittmann (GER) claimed his best result so far at his home race – fourth place in the Saturday race – on his way to a second drivers’ title. Tom Blomqvist (GBR) started from pole position for the first time in his DTM career on Sunday.
The situation so far:
Saturday’s race at the Hungaroring saw Timo Glock (GER) finish runner-up to claim his second podium result of the season. He climbed one place in the Drivers’ Championship on the back of the result, and is now the best-placed BMW driver in seventh with 49 points after six of 18 races. Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Maxime Martin (BEL) also had cause for celebration in Budapest; like Spengler on Saturday, Martin came home third on Sunday to earn his first podium of the year.
In the Manufacturers’ Championship, BMW lies third with 124 points ahead of the two races in Nuremberg. Audi leads the standings with 284 points.
The expectations:
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt: “The event at the Norisring always gives you goosebumps. Only here do the fans create such a vibe in the paddock and the grandstands. We will do everything in our power to give the many BMW employees and fans in Nuremberg, who give us fantastic support, something to celebrate again this weekend. We got the most out of the Budapest weekend, with three podiums. That has to be our goal again at the Norisring. It will be hard work, as the circuit has its own special characteristics. However, at BMW Motorsport, we are looking forward to this challenge.”
Stefan Reinhold (team principal, BMW Team RMG): “The Norisring is a special circuit, but also a tricky one. As such, we are very intrigued to see what the balance of power will be this year. The races in Nuremberg enjoy a cult status. We are working hard to be as successful as possible with all the cars. Of course, everyone in the team would particularly like to see Marco Wittmann finally make it onto the podium at his home race.”
Marco Wittmann (#11, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 62 races, 8 wins, 16 podiums, 8 pole positions, 547 points, 2 Drivers’ titles): “I expect plenty of action and a lot of excitement. As the only street circuit on the calendar, the Norisring is always a highlight and the fact that it is my home race makes it all the more special. As always, there will be a lot of friends and familiar faces there, as well as my fan club, who will be there to support me and cheer me on. That spurs me on tremendously, and I am obviously hoping for a good result. Last year I finished fourth and just missed out on a spot on the rostrum. As such, it is now time to go one better and finish on the podium.”
Augusto Farfus (#15, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 72 races, 4 wins, 12 podiums, 5 pole positions, 345 points): “The race at the Norisring is the best event of the entire year. There are always an incredible number of fans there. In theory, the track has a very simple layout. In actual fact, it is extremely difficult to get everything right there. It is almost always hot, and the bumps and long straights make the circuit a unique challenge. I always enjoy being there, as you are really close to the fans, even when you are in the car.”
Timo Glock (#16, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 60 races, 3 wins, 6 podiums, 2 pole positions, 238 points): “The atmosphere at the Norisring is always fantastic. We’ll have to wait and see how well it works out for us from a racing perspective. We will certainly try to get the maximum from the only street circuit on the race calendar. I hope we will be able to pick up a few more points.”
Bart Mampaey (team principal, BMW Team RBM): The Norisring is a very special circuit, on which everything has to come together perfectly in order to be quick. We coped well with the challenge last year. Second and third was an outstanding result in Sunday’s race. As such, we are looking forward to the two races at the heart of Nuremberg very much. The atmosphere there is always something very special for everyone in our team. Nowhere else do fans get closer to the action. How we fare out on the track will come down to small details, as the gaps between the cars are even smaller on this short circuit than they are elsewhere.”
Bruno Spengler (#7, BMW Bank BMW M4 DTM – 145 races, 14 wins, 46 podiums, 17 pole positions, 775 points, 1 Drivers’ title): “The atmosphere at the Norisring is unique. It is very special to drive in the city. The circuit is very difficult, as you cannot allow yourself to make a mistake. Then you have the atmosphere with the many fans at the Dutzendteich. It really is the highlight of the DTM calendar. You always get a lot happening there and there many overtaking opportunities. That makes it very interesting for us drivers too.”
Tom Blomqvist (#31, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM – 42 races, 1 win, 5 podiums, 1 pole position, 174 points): “The sheer number of fans makes the Norisring great. The atmosphere is simply class. It really makes the event one of a kind. The circuit is completely different to the rest of the tracks on the DTM calendar. It is the only street circuit we drive on. There are a lot of bumps, long straights and very tight corners. That means that the demands placed on the car are completely different to anywhere else. Driving there is special, but great fun. Last year I started from the front row on Sunday, and I almost won the race. Hopefully this year will be equally successful.”
Maxime Martin (#36, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 52 races, 2 wins, 7 podiums, 2 pole positions, 263 points): “We had a really good weekend at the Norisring last year: Tom and I finished second and third with BMW Team RBM. I am confident ahead of the next two races, although it will be difficult again, as the Norisring is always extremely close. The atmosphere is unique. The fans, the street circuit – it is all fantastic for the DTM. It is no coincidence that they call the Norisring the DTM’s Monaco, and I am really looking forward to it.”
History:
The street circuit in Nuremberg has been a permanent fixture on the DTM calendar since the series was launched in 1984. Each year, the public roads around the Dutzendteich lake are transformed into a racetrack. BMW has claimed five wins and 18 podiums so far at the iconic circuit. Last time out in 2016, Tom Blomqvist finished runner-up and Maxime Martin came home third in Sunday’s race.
