Munich. The BMW DTM teams will be appearing at the second
international race of the 2019 season this coming weekend
(7th to 9th June). The fifth and sixth races
of the year will take place at the ‘Misano World Circuit’ on the
Italian Adriatic coast. After the events at Hockenheim (GER) and
Zolder (BEL), Philipp Eng (AUT) from BMW Team RBM currently tops the
drivers’ standings. Marco Wittmann (GER), of BMW Team RMG, is third
in the championship.
The new BMW M4 DTM with the turbo engine has started from pole
position in all four races of the season so far: Wittmann has claimed
first place on the grid twice, while Eng and rookie Sheldon van der
Linde (RSA) have done so once each. There have been two wins (Wittmann
and Eng) and two further podium finishes for Eng and Joel Eriksson (SWE).
The DTM paid a visit to Misano for the first time last year – with
two spectacular night races. BMW driver Eriksson celebrated his first
DTM win as a rookie in the Sunday race. Making a guest appearance for
BMW, Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) thrilled the fans with a fantastic
performance. This year, the Misano races will take place during the
day. Wittmann and Timo Glock (GER) will both be celebrating a special
anniversary in Italy: the two drivers will each be contesting their
100th DTM race.
Quotes ahead of the DTM races at Misano.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):
“It has been a successful start to the new turbo era in the DTM for
us. Four races, four pole positions, two wins and two further podiums
– those are good results for our new BMW M4 DTM. In the races thus
far, we have seen that all six BMW drivers are very competitive and
can record some top results. With Philipp leading the championship and
Marco in third place overall, we are heading to Misano with plenty of
momentum. We are aiming to build on the good performances from the
first races there. We can all well remember the great debut that we
all experienced at Misano last year. Now we are curious to discover
what this coming weekend will bring.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):
“We have used the short break since Zolder for in-depth preparation
ahead of the race weekend at Misano. At Hockenheim and Zolder we could
see that the new BMW M4 DTM gives us a really good pace – as shown by
Marco’s pole positions, his win and the very strong performances from
Bruno and Timo. However, a series of circumstances that included some
bad luck with the safety car prevented us from converting these
performances into the corresponding results in each race for our
drivers. The foundations are right and at Misano it is essential that
we work towards the right set-up for the challenging combination of
fast and slow sections, right from the word go. We are extremely
motivated and are looking forward to the weekend, which also marks a
very special anniversary for Marco and Timo.”
Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Drivers’
standings: 8th, 24 points):
“I like the circuit at Misano. It provides a few overtaking
opportunities. I was there for the first time last year and I think
the circuit is very interesting. It is challenging and includes a
number of different combinations of corners. The seaside location is
also very attractive. I hope that the weather will be a bit better
this time than last year. Italy is always great, the Italian fans love
motorsport and that is why I am really looking forward to Misano.”
Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG,
Drivers’ standings: 3rd, 43 points):
“I think that daytime driving at Misano will represent the biggest
change. The night-time conditions in the rain were really difficult
last year. That means that it will be something new for us, in a
sense. This circuit is a challenging one and has a bit of everything,
with fast and slow sections. All things considered, it’s cool to drive
in Italy and it is great that Andrea Dovizioso will be making a guest
appearance too. We have made a very good start, with very good
performances. We haven’t had luck on our side in every race but I
think that we can satisfied with the season so far. Now we are hoping
to have good pace at Misano.”
Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’ standings:
12th, 20 points):
“I am excited about Misano. It’s not a night race this time, so we’ll
have to see how it goes. I am curious to see how Andrea Dovisiozo’s
guest appearance works out and I’m sure it will be interesting. We are
hoping for a good race weekend and that we get our set-up right and
can do a good job there. And of course, I am hoping for some good
weather this time.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):
“Of course, we are heading to Misano with plenty of momentum from our
fantastic home round at Zolder. Philipp’s first DTM win and moving to
the top of the standings, Sheldon’s first pole position, Joel also on
the podium after finishing second on Saturday – we will remember
Zolder for a long time to come. Now we are looking forward to the
second DTM appearance at Misano. We were able to celebrate there last
year when Joel claimed his first win on the Sunday. We are starting
from a good position and we want to make use of this momentum. The
whole team will be working hard to record some more great results at Misano.”
Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Drivers’
standings: 1st, 59 points):
“I have learned this in the DTM: you are only ever as good as your
last race. So, we have to use the time to prepare well for Misano. I
am looking forward to the weekend. Misano is a very cool circuit. I am
happy that we are driving in the daytime this year, and the weather
conditions in June should be a bit more predictable. I am looking
forward to the race and hope that we will have another good weekend at Misano.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM,
Drivers’ standings: 10th, 21 points):
“Moving on to Misano, I think we have a really good baseline. We know
that we are capable of some strong results. Especially the Sunday pole
position in Zolder was good motivation for the whole crew on my side
of the garage so in terms of that we are very positive. I have raced
at Misano before, as I did a GT race there last year, so I kind of
know the track already which is good, other than at Zolder, where
everything was new for us. I think that Misano is going to be good.”
Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Drivers’
standings: 11th, 20 points):
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Misano as I have fond
memories of the track from last year. It’s actually one of my
favourite tracks. The place and the entire area are really nice. Last
year, we had a very strong pace at Misano, both in the dry and in the
rain. We will again work hard and hope for another strong weekend.”
Media Schedule (all times CEST).
Friday, 7th June
14.00-14.30, ITR press conference with Timo Glock, Media Center
Saturday, 8th June
15.30-15.40, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center
Sunday, 9th June
15.30-15.40, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Center