Reactions after the ninth DTM race of 2012 in Valencia.

Valencia (ES), 30th September 2012. The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the DTM season in Hockenheim (DE). While Augusto Farfus (BR) celebrated his first triumph in the series for BMW Team RBM, Bruno Spengler (DE) came through a turbulent race to make up valuable ground in the Drivers’ Championship. Read here what the BMW team principals and the six drivers had to say after the ninth DTM race of the year.

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):

“It is fantastic. That was a great victory in a race, in which Augusto Farfus was impressively quick. He got off to a great start, had a wonderful first lap, and then controlled the entire race. Our strategy was right. However, that is relatively easy when a car has that much pace. I would like to thank everyone in BMW Team RBM for the hard work. This was only our ninth DTM race – and, unbelievably, we won it. Andy Priaulx also did a very good job. He drove a strong race, fought right to the end, and finished in the points. That is a great team result.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):

“We are obviously happy with the result of this exciting race. Bruno Spengler did not allow the drive-through penalty to knock him out of his stride and showed fantastic fighting spirit. Our team’s pit stops and our strategy were perfect, which allowed him to fight his way into sixth over the course of the race. Dirk Werner had problems with the balance of his car from the middle of the race. The fact that he still finished in the points is a nice reward for the team’s hard work. It will be really exciting in Hockenheim now. Congratulations obviously to Augusto Farfus and BMW Team RBM.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):

“We have a difficult weekend with two retirements behind us. That is the third time in a row Martin Tomczyk has had to park up before the end of the race. The footage shows Martin was knocked out of the race by Robert Wickens, through no fault of his own. This obvious move, in which no body else was involved, went unpunished. It is all the more frustrating for Martin, as he was severely punished for a similar incident in Zandvoort. Joey Hand’s race also came to an end ahead of schedule after Gary Paffett drove into his car. It was still a successful day for BMW, thanks to Augusto Farfus’s win. Congratulations to BMW Team RBM.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 16, BMW Team RBM, 1st):

“A win in my first DTM season. That is just awesome! However, this is not just my triumph. This success belongs to BMW Team RBM and BMW Motorsport. Thank you very much. I had a super car in qualifying yesterday, so I was confident ahead of today’s race. We all know, however, that races are sometimes not as easy as they look in the DTM. I had some quick Audis behind me, but a good start and an ideal first stint meant I had done the hard work. I decided to apply pressure right from the outset. The final lap was very emotional. I have to admit I had tears in my eyes as I crossed the finish line and almost cried. We have had a tough season.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 7, BMW Team Schnitzer, 6th):

“The fact that I still finished sixth despite the drive-through penalty is absolutely sensational. After the penalty I thought briefly my race was basically over. However, my team encouraged me and really stepped on it in the pit stops. That was one of the keys to my good result. It was important I left the last stop until quite late. That meant I had good tyres right to the end of the race and was able to attack again late on.”

Andy Priaulx (car number 15, BMW Team RBM, 8th):

“After a very good start I had a bit of contact with another car in turn one. Apart from that I quickly found a good rhythm. On the exit from turn six on the 42nd lap I was attacked by Rahel Frey, who tried to overtake me on the outside. Bruno Spengler was able to take advantage of this duel and pass on the inside. Despite this, I am very happy to have finished in the points. I am pleased for Augusto Farfus and the team. BMW Team RBM deserved that win after all the hard work it has put in this year.”

Dirk Werner (car number 8, BMW Team Schnitzer, 9th):

“It is nice I was also able to pick up points in Valencia. I had a few problems with the tyres, particularly after my first pit stop. From that point on I could no longer drive at the pace required to try to move up through the field. Then I made a mistake in turn 12, went too wide and had to fight hard to keep the car under control. That cost me places, but it was ultimately good enough to finish in the points.”

Joey Hand (car number 2, BMW Team RMG, 15th):

“Gary Paffett hit me hard after the start and damaged my car. The car was off balance after that and I was unable to attack. The problems intensified over the course of the race. In the interest of safety I parked up in the garage shortly before the end of the race. It was a real shame, as up to that point I had been having one of my better weekends this year.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 1, BMW Team RMG, DNF):

“Unfortunately Robert Wickens drove into my car straight after the start. As a result of this collision, I skidded into the gravel bed and could not continue. That is frustrating, particularly as this is my third retirement in a row.”

Facts and Figures – Valencia:

DTM standings after 9 of 10 races.

Drivers’ standings.

1. Gary Paffett (127 points), 2. Bruno Spengler (124), 3. Jamie Green (109), 4. Mike Rockenfeller (85), 5. Mattias Ekström (81), 6. Edoardo Mortara (74), 7. Martin Tomczyk (69), 8. Augusto Farfus (54). 9. Adrien Tambay (28), 10. Filipe Albuquerque (26), 12. Dirk Werner (19), 14. Andy Priaulx (18), 20. Joey Hand (2).

Team standings.

1. THOMAS SABO / Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG (151 points), 2. BMW Team Schnitzer (143), 3. Mercedes AMG (117), 4. Audi Sport Team Rosberg (100), 5. Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline (100), 6. Audi Sport Team Phoenix (93), 7. BMW Team RBM (72), 8. BMW Team RMG (71), 9. ABT-Sportsline, (34), 10. DHL Paket / stern Mercedes AMG (28).

Manufacturer standings.
1. Audi (327 points), 2. Mercedes-Benz (296), 3. BMW (286).

2012 Calendar:
29th April – Hockenheim (DE), 6th May – Lausitzring (DE), 20th May – Brands Hatch (GB),  3rd June – Spielberg (AT), 1st July – Norisring (DE), 15th July – Munich (DE), 19th August – Nürburgring (DE), 26th August – Zandvoort (NL), 16th September – Oschersleben (DE), 30th September – Valencia (ES), 21st October – Hockenheim (DE).