Hockenheim. BMW Motorsport has once again made DTM history.
Marco Wittmann (GER) of BMW Team RMG took victory in the opening
race of the 2019 season at the Hockenheimring (GER) on Saturday, and
with it the first race of the new turbo era in the DTM. The two-time
champion, at the wheel of the Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, produced a
flawless display in wet conditions, converting pole position into a
prestigious race win. This was the 12th victory of Wittmann’s career
and also marked the 82nd time that a BMW has been first across the
DTM finish line. It also represented the perfect start to the 50th
anniversary of BMW Turbo Power in motorsport.
Timo Glock (GER) finished fourth in the JiVS BMW M4 DTM,
narrowly missing out on another podium for BMW. He was spun by another
car on the opening lap, but fought back strongly to climb through the
field one place at a time. BMW newcomer Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)
came home sixth in the Shell BMW M4 DTM to score points on his debut.
He was followed over the line in seventh place by the BMW Bank M4 DTM
of Bruno Spengler (CAN).
Joel Eriksson (SWE) was 13th in the CATL BMW M4 DTM. A sensor
issue in the engine periphery prevented Philipp Eng (AUT) from setting
a lap time in qualifying, meaning he had to start the race from 17th.
The Austrian eventually came home 14th.
Reactions to the first DTM race of the 2019 season at Hockenheim.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“That is absolutely awesome. Today we have made DTM history
again with BMW Motorsport, taking the first win of the new turbo era.
First the pole position, then victory in the opening race for Marco
Wittmann – that reminds me a little of the Formula E season opener
last year, when we also started with a win. I am so proud of the whole
team in Munich – of the teams and the drivers. A huge compliment goes
to Marco, who did a magnificent job today at the front of the field.
We have a tough winter and a tough period of testing behind us. To
perform as we have done here at Hockenheim, and to win the first race,
is fantastic. The experience gained during 50 years of turbo in
motorsport at BMW definitely paid dividends. We have built a very good
engine and put together a strong package, with which we have won at
the first attempt. There is still a long way to go in the 2019 season,
but today we have every reason to celebrate.”
Stefan Reinhold (BMW Team RMG Team Principal):
“Our team did an incredible job today. Particularly Marco
Wittmann, who was in perfect control of the car in qualifying and in
the race. The guys on the pit wall, the other drivers, who made up
positions, and the team that prepared the cars also did a superb job.
Everyone gave it 110 percent. You have to take your hat off to them.
Congratulations to BMW Motorsport, who have developed a powerful
engine and a great overall package. That was a superb start to the new
turbo era.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid:
1st, Race: 1st, Drivers’ standings: 1st 28 points):
“This win feels great. First the pole position, then the first
victory of the new turbo era: what an awesome start to the season. The
Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM was phenomenal in the wet. My mechanics and
engineers have done a sensational job – as have BMW Motorsport, who
have given me a car that was competitive from the first lap. It was an
unbelievable start to the DTM year.”
Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 8th, Race:
4th, Drivers’ standings: 4th, 12 points):
“I think we can be happy with the outcome of the result. It is a
bit disappointing when you look at the pace we had yesterday and
today. We were quick in the rain yesterday, and in today’s race. The
only reason we weren’t as fast in qualifying was because we went out
on the wrong set of tyres once. I had a very good start and was up
there with the top five, but was then hit from behind. That dropped me
well back down the field. We had good pace at the end, which allowed
us to fight our way back into the top five. It showed what could have
been. Congratulations to Marco and the whole team on the win.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 14th,
Race: 7th, Drivers’ standings: 7th, 6 points):
“The race was okay. I had a super start. Unfortunately, Timo was
spun in front of me, which caused me to lose some time on the way out
of turn two. Despite that, climbing from 14th to seventh is a good
result and we scored some good points. Congratulations to Marco on his
win. After all the hard work over the winter, the team more than
deserves that. Seventh place is okay for me. If I had stopped a little
later, I might have been able to do even better but that is alright.
We are now turning our attention to tomorrow.”
Bart Mampaey (BMW Team RBM Team Principal):
“Firstly, congratulations to BMW. It is obviously fantastic to
win the first race with the new turbo engine. Our rookie, Sheldon van
der Linde, had a great debut, finishing sixth and scoring his first
points. In the case of Philipp Eng, we were able, after a long time
looking, to find the reason for our technical issues. That meant he
was at least able to start the race. However, our strategy did not
ultimately pay off for him or Joel Eriksson.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM,
Grid: 7th, Race: 6th, Drivers’ standings: 6th, 8 points):
“The day could hardly have gone better for me. I could never
have dreamed of scoring points as a rookie in my first DTM race. I
have a fantastic team behind me. Everyone has been very helpful. The
car was very good in the race. Congratulations to Marco and BMW on the win.”
Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: no time,
Race: 14th, Drivers’ standings: 15th, 0 points):
“That was a tough day. I can only thank my guys, who were
meticulous in their search for the issue on my car – and found it. I
hope things run more smoothly tomorrow.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 9th,
Race: 13th, Drivers’ standings: 14th, 0 points):
“That was not a good race for me. The start was good, but after
that we struggled with the car. I could not really push. We have a bit
of work ahead of us now to come back stronger tomorrow.
Congratulations to Marco on his win.”