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.
Service:
BMW Motorsport will offer an innovative Chatbot service for
journalists for the first time in the 2017 DTM season. This allows
users to receive the latest information directly to their smartphone
via the WhatsApp Messenger. The information available includes driver
statistics, statements and photos. You can register for the BMW
Motorsport Chatbot at the following link: