DTM finale at Hockenheim: BMW teams eager to end season on a high.

Munich. Races 19 and 20 this weekend at Hockenheim (GER) draw
the 2018 DTM season to a close. BMW M Motorsport and the BMW DTM
teams are aiming to head into the winter break on a high. Marco
Wittmann (GER) and Timo Glock (GER) are still fighting for a
top-five place in the driver’s standings. Philipp Eng (AUT) and Joel
Eriksson (SWE) could finish as the best rookie of the season. As
part of the race weekend, BMW M brand ambassador Lena Gercke (GER)
will be in attendance.

 

Quotes ahead of the DTM season finale at the Hockenheimring.

 

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“For the grand finale of the 2018 DTM, we return to Hockenheim where
we witnessed a spectacular race weekend at the start of the season.
The duel between the victorious Timo Glock and Gary Paffett really was
exceptional. And that’s exactly how we want to take our leave from the
DTM fans for the winter break: with breath-taking duels and high
emotions. It goes without saying that a win like at the 2017 finale
would be terrific added motivation for us through the break from
racing. For the time being, the Hockenheimring will be the last time
that we take on our rivals at Mercedes in the DTM. This farewell makes
the coming weekend all the more special.”

 

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):

“At Hockenheim, our team ends its seventh season in the DTM. With
Marco Wittmann and Timo Glock, we have already brought home three wins
and have both drivers in the top six in the driver’s standings.
Augusto Farfus has also given good performances this season, and has
made it onto the podium. Even though we sadly won’t be fighting for
the title at the season finale, we have done well. Huge thanks go to
my team for their outstanding work during the season and thanks to BMW
for the excellent collaboration this year. Now we want to really go
for it with success once again in the final two races.”

 

Marco Wittmann (#11 BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM, BMW Team
RMG – 4th place in the overall standings, points: 143):

“I will give it my all to end a mixed season on a high at Hockenheim.
Last year I managed to head into the winter break with a win. It will
be difficult to achieve that again since our rivals have been very
strong in recent races. Nevertheless, my aim is to finish the weekend
with at least a podium under my belt.”

 

Augusto Farfus (#15 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG –
16th place in the overall standings, points: 50):

“I think that the final weekend of the season will be very emotional
in view of Mercedes’ farewell. My aim is to finish what has been a
difficult season for all BMW drivers with a smile. We’ll push hard to
have another positive race weekend to finish.”

 

Timo Glock (#16 DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
6th place in the overall standings, points: 127):

“My main hope for the season finale is that it will be a full house
and a great show for the fans. We were very strong at the Hockenheim
season opener, but I think that we need to be realistic. Our rivals
have become much stronger since the races in May so it will be
difficult to repeat the fantastic results from back then. But it goes
without saying that we will give it our best shot.”

 

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):

“Going into the finale at Hockenheim, we look back on a season in
which all of our drivers consistently delivered strong performances
and made it onto the podium. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to still
be in with a chance of fighting for the title, but Philipp Eng and
Joel Eriksson are still in with a chance of being the best rookie of
the season. We want to end the year with strong results and head into
the winter break feeling good; that would be what my team deserves for
their fantastic dedication throughout the entire season.”

 

Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM –
12th place in the overall standings, points: 75):

“After the difficult Spielberg weekend, I hope that the weekend at
Hockenheim will see us return to the strength that we had there at the
start of the season. That will be the big challenge. Generally, I am
really looking forward to the fabulous fans that always come to
Hockenheim. The fight for the title is still open, so the spectators
have two exciting races in store.”

 

Philipp Eng (#25 SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR –
9th place in the overall standings, points: 98):

“I haven’t finished on the podium since Budapest. It goes without
saying that I would love to make up for that at Hockenheim. It is also
my goal to finish the season as the best rookie. Unfortunately, I
wasn’t all that successful at the opening weekend. Hopefully things
will be different this time around.”

 

Joel Eriksson (#47 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM – 13th
place in the overall standings, points: 70):

“I have learnt a great deal during my rookie season in the DTM, and
seen how difficult it is to be successful here right from the start. I
had a good pace at the last race weekend at Spielberg, and the season
opener at Hockenheim was pretty successful for BMW and me, which is
why I am hoping to be able to end the season on another high. I really
love the track, so the conditions should be good.”

 

Media Schedule (all times CEST).

 

Friday, 12th October

14:00-14:30, ITR press conference with Marco Wittmann, Media Center

 

Saturday, 13th October

15:40-15:50, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center

 

Sunday, 14th October

10:30-11:00, round table with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt,
BMW Hospitality

15:00-15:50, ITR press conference with Jens Marquardt, Media Center

15:55-16:05, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center

 

Statistics service.

BMW Motorsport offers a Chatbot service for journalists also in the
2018 DTM season. This allows users to receive the latest information
directly to their smartphone. The information available includes
driver statistics, statements and photos. You can register for the BMW
Motorsport Chatbot at the following link: http://bit.ly/BMW_Motorsport_Media_Broadcast_EN