Business end of preparations: BMW DTM teams complete four days of testing at the Hungaroring.

Budapest (HU), 3rd April 2014. After four productive days in good conditions, the BMW DTM teams have completed the first official tests at the Hungaroring, near Budapest (HU). All eight BMW DTM drivers were in action at the circuit, which will host the third race of the 2014 season, and notched up a good 8,000 kilometres with their four BMW M4 DTMs. With one month to go until the season-opener in Hockenheim, the focus of the extensive test programme was on the set-up of the new car, particularly concerning the aerodynamics and chassis. The four BMW DTM teams also ran practice, qualifying and race simulations, including pit stops. With temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius and bright sunshine, the conditions were ideal for gathering valuable data. 

“We completed a varied programme, and got a lot of laps under our belts,” said BMW Team Schnitzer driver Bruno Spengler (CA). “It was great to be back with the team and to switch into race mode. The focus was not entirely on quick times, but we did discover that we are certainly heading in the right direction.” 

Joey Hand (US) of BMW Team RBM said: “I had never been to Hungary before, so logically this was my first time at the Hungaroring. I really like the circuit, as it nestles nicely in the landscape. It reminds me of iconic circuits like Road America and Road Atlanta in the USA. Up until now my only knowledge of the Hungaroring came from video games. Looking ahead to the race in June, that made it all the more important for me to be able to complete a lot of test laps here.” 

António Félix da Costa (PT) of BMW Team MTEK also continued the preparations for his rookie season in the DTM. Among other things, he was able to gain his first experience on the option tyres. “We tried a lot of things out over the past few days, in order to be as well prepared for any situation that may arise over the course of the season,” said the 22-year-old. “The speed of the car is good, but it is still too early to say how it compares to our rivals. Everyone sticks to their own plan during testing.” Like Félix da Costa, Maxime Martin (BE) was also on option tyres for the first time. “Everything went well at my first official DTM test as a regular driver,” said the BMW Team RMG driver. “I feel at home in the car and the team, and already know a lot of the procedures from my time as test and development driver. That is very helpful for me.” 

BMW Motorsport will continue its test programme ahead of the 2014 DTM season on 14th April, when the second official ITR test week gets underway in Hockenheim (DE).