Reactions to the second race of the 2016 DTM season.

Hockenheim (DE), 8th May 2016. Two BMW M4 DTM drivers on the podium,
six cars in the top ten: Sunday’s race in Hockenheim (DE) was a
successful one for BMW Motorsport. Timo Glock (DE) and Augusto Farfus
(BR) came home second and third to take their place on the podium
after race two of the 2016 DTM season. Maxime Martin (BE), Tom
Blomqvist (GB), Marco Wittmann (DE) and Martin Tomczyk (DE) also
scored points. Bruno Spengler (CA), António Félix da Costa (PT) and
Martin had previously finished sixth, seventh and eighth in the
opening race on Saturday.

 

Read here what BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, the four team
principals and the eight BMW DTM drivers had to say after the race weekend.

 

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “We have
taken a big step forward compared to race one on Saturday. Although we
have not yet made it onto the top step of the podium, I am still very
happy that we had six BMW M4 DTMs in the points on Sunday. I would
like to pay a special compliment to Timo Glock and Augusto Farfus, who
claimed our first podium finishes of the season. Congratulations to
Paul di Resta and Mercedes on a dominant victory. We have seen great
races with fierce battles, which I am sure the spectators will have
really enjoyed. Marco Wittmann had gear issues on Sunday, but was
still able to finish in the points in ninth place. That was a
fantastic effort. All in all, I am happy with this weekend. The crowds
and weather were fantastic and have really whet the appetite for the
next two races. Bring on Spielberg.”

 

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG): “Timo
produced a fantastic qualifying and an even better race on Sunday. He
kept a clear head in every situation and had impressive speed. I feel
very sorry for Marco. We had a technical issue with his car, which
prevented him from getting a better result. On the whole, however, we
have shown once again what a fantastic team spirit we have.”

 

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal BMW Team MTEK):
“Augusto produced an extremely strong performance in qualifying on
Sunday. He did not get off to such a good start in the race, but it
was generally a very good display. It is a shame that we ended both
races with just one car in the points, as a result of collisions that
were no fault of our own. All in all, however, I am very happy with
our two drivers.”

 

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM): “That was
an exciting race. Maxime made a very good start and was fair in the
scraps he was involved in. I am pleased that we picked up points in
both races, and that both drivers made it into the top ten on Sunday.
That was a good start to the season, including the pit stops, which
worked excellently. Two races into the season, we have a lot of points
to our name. Long may it continue this way.”

 

Charly Lamm (Team Principal BMW Team Schnitzer):
“António’s race was over after the second corner on Sunday. His car
was too badly damaged to be able to challenge for a good result.
Martin fought his way up to eighth place at one point, and at least
picked up one point for us in the end. As always, he fought like a lion.”

 

Timo Glock (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 2nd place, Sat.: DNF):
“I am very happy with the result, particularly after
Saturday’s disappointment. I had a very good start and a great fight
with Robert Wickens, who was always fair. I would like to thank my new
team, BMW Team RMG, and my race engineer for the outstanding job they
have done. I am pleased to be able to take a trophy home to my wife on
Mother’s Day.”

 

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: 3rd place, Sat.: 14th
place):
“It was good to get back on the podium. Saturday’s
race was disappointing, but BMW managed to capitalise and get all the
points we could have. I always want to win every race, but if we’re
looking at the championship we have to move step-by-step. We got a
good haul of points today. I’m very pleased for BMW. It was a
beautiful job from everyone.”

 

Maxime Martin (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 4th place, Sat.: 8th
place):
“Those were two good results this weekend. Of
course, I’d prefer to be on the podium. However, to go from 21st on
the grid to finish P8 yesterday, and then to finish fourth on Sunday,
is a good turnaround. We recovered very well.”

 

Tom Blomqvist (BMW Team RBM, Sun.: 7th place, Sat.: 13th
place):
“It was a challenging race. I had a decent first
lap and stayed clear of trouble, but it got a bit tricky after the pit
stop. It was a challenging race. Still, six BMWs in the top 10 is
obviously a great result and, from a personal standpoint, I’m happy
with my race.”

 

Marco Wittmann (BMW Team RMG, Sun.: 9th place, Sat.: 16th
place):
“Unfortunately, race two was just as disappointing
as the first one. I actually made a good start, and could have gone
even quicker. However, I then started to have gear issues relatively
early in the race. I was still able to pick up two points, but it
could have been far more.”

 

Martin Tomczyk (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun.: 10th place, Sat.:
12th place):
“We drivers took no prisoners all weekend.
There were some tough and exciting battles out there. Unfortunately I
wore out my tyres a little too much in race two, and then skidded off
the track briefly. It is a shame that our fighting spirit did not reap
more rewards.”

 

António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, Sun.: DNF, Sat.:
7th place):
“Somehow, everything went wrong on Sunday. I
ran out of space on the inside in the second corner and hit Ocon. It
was obviously very unfortunate that Bruno Spengler was also involved
in this incident. When I then suffered a puncture, my race was over.
It is a shame that I could not repeat Saturday’s positive experience.”

 

Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, Sun.: DNF, Sat.: 6th place):
“I had a very good start and could probably have been looking
at a top-seven finish. I think I could have scored some good points.
However, I was pushed off the track in turn two. At first I thought it
was Esteban Ocon, because his car hit my BMW M4 DTM. However, there
was not actually anything he could have done to avoid it. He was
pushed from behind and then took me out. Therefore, I must apologise
to him, as I was a bit annoyed at first. It was just very unlucky, and
a real shame.”