Ready to roll: BMW Motorsport lines up for the 2014 DTM season with the new BMW M4 DTM.

Munich (DE), 28th April 2014. The DTM is back: BMW starts as defending champion in the Manufacturers’ Championship when the popular series returns for its anniversary season on 4th May. The DTM made its debut 30 years ago – and it was BMW driver Harald Grohs (DE) who claimed the very first victory in the inaugural race. To date, BMW racing cars have been first across the finish line in the DTM on no fewer than 59 occasions. Changes have been afoot for BMW Motorsport ahead of the opening event of the 2014 season in Hockenheim (DE). After four titles, ten race wins and 715 points since the Bavarian manufacturer returned to the series in 2012, the BMW M3 DTM’s glorious career has come to an end. The BMW M4 DTM will take its place on the starting grid for the first time at the Hockenheimring on Sunday.

The eight new cars will be run by the four BMW teams: RBM, Schnitzer, MTEK and RMG. When it comes to the drivers, BMW Motorsport has kept faith in six of last year’s drivers in Augusto Farfus (BR), Joey Hand (US), Bruno Spengler (CA), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Timo Glock (DE) and Marco Wittmann (DE). They are joined by two drivers making their DTM debut for BMW in Hockenheim, in the form of Maxime Martin (BE) and António Félix da Costa (PT).

Steeped in history, the 4.574-kilometre circuit has been a happy stomping ground for BMW. Of the four races held there since the DTM comeback in 2012, BMW drivers have won three. Spengler’s success in the iconic “Motodrom” in 2012 meant he was crowned DTM champion. Last season, Farfus and Dirk Werner (DE) secured a one-two at the season-opener. And Glock made his first appearance on the top step of the DTM podium after the 2013 finale.

Changes have also been made to the regulations: qualifying will only consist of three sessions this year. Gone is the final-four shoot-out, which saw each of the top four drivers complete an individual timed lap. Furthermore, the teams must now complete just one mandatory pit stop during the race, rather than two as was previously the case. Performance weight is also new. Depending on previous results, a manufacturer’s cars must carry additional weight of up to five kilograms per race (maximum ten kilograms in total), or may compete with a maximum five kilograms per race less (maximum ten kilograms in total).

As usual, TV station ARD will once again show all qualifying sessions and races live this season. Coverage of qualifying from Hockenheim on 3rd May begins at 16:15 local time. The countdown to Sunday’s race starts at 13:15 local time.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“The start of a new motorsport season is always something special – but perhaps even more so in the DTM than in other series. It has been a long winter break, and all three manufacturers have worked phenomenally hard to take another step forward in 2014. The latest tests showed that everyone appears to have succeeded in this regard, and the field is once again extremely evenly matched. The anticipation ahead of the first showdown in Hockenheim is obviously immense. On top of all that, we have the added excitement of lining up with a new car. Saturday’s qualifying will give us a clearer idea of where we really stand with our new challenger. And, as if that were not enough, the DTM is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014. The series has been synonymous with top-class touring car racing for three decades, during which time it has thrilled motorsport fans in Germany and around the world. BMW Motorsport and the DTM have enjoyed countless successful moments together. On 4th May in Hockenheim, we embark on a new chapter in our joint success story.“

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“Last season was sensational for my team, and Augusto Farfus in particular. We will do everything in our power to enjoy the same kind of success again this year. However, you do have to remain realistic. There are so many unknown quantities. We have a new car and new circuits on the calendar. After Hockenheim, we may have a better idea of what we can expect from the rest of the season. Our primary goal as a team is to win a race. Anything else is a bonus.”

Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“The whole team is happy to be starting our seventh DTM season together. The preparations with the new BMW M4 DTM were intense – and everyone is now excited to see how we compare to the opposition. BMW Team Schnitzer has many fond memories of Hockenheim, where we have enjoyed some major success in the past. And to race with the new BMW M4 DTM in front of the many fans at this circuit will definitely be another special experience.”

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“Starting our second season in the DTM in Hockenheim, where we ended 2013 with our maiden victory at the season finale, brings back some very fond memories. However, we all start from scratch. Preparations have gone to plan so far. Therefore, we are happy going into the opening race weekend. The new BMW M4 DTM is running well – how well, we will only find out when we go head-to-head with our rivals out on the track. We are looking forward to our second season with Timo Glock. And António Félix da Costa has also integrated well in the team. We will give him time to find his feet in the DTM, but he certainly has the talent to produce some very good performances.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“We are optimistic going into the first race of the season. The final tests in Hockenheim went particularly well for us. Marco Wittmann’s lap times were very promising, but obviously not really all that significant. More important for us was the fact that both drivers completed an awful lot of kilometres, which allowed us to complete our test programme. Maxime Martin has settled into the team superbly and, with the experience gained as test and development driver, has started at a very high level. With such a strong car as the BMW M4 DTM and our excellent pair of drivers, our goal for 2014 is to be among the front-runners again in 2014.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 3, BMW Team RBM):
“I made an awesome start to the season with my win in Hockenheim last year. I love the circuit, the atmosphere and the big crowds. That always gives you that little bit more motivation. Our preparations for the season have been good, but we must be cautious with any predictions. Nobody really knows how good they are until the first race.”

Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM):
“Unlike for many of my colleagues, my winter break was not particularly long. I had great races with BMW Team RLL in Daytona and Sebring. I am now looking forward to the start of the DTM. Hockenheim is a fantastic circuit with many different types of corners. There is something for everyone, and the races are usually action-packed. For me, it is very important to be with BMW Team RBM for the second year in a row. It takes a little time to develop a perfect understanding with your engineers. That is the case now with me and the guys at RBM. They even speak Californian.”

Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I go into the new season full of motivation. The tension is rising gradually ahead of the first race. We have a very good car in the BMW M4 DTM. I will do my very best to be successful with the new car. The race in Hockenheim is always a very special occasion for me. The atmosphere is fantastic. It is an amazing feeling to see all the fans again after the long break. It goes without saying that the memories of the 2012 season, when I won the Drivers’ Championship at the Hockenheimring, will always be very close to my heart. I am up for it again this season.”

Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“A lot has changed for me since last season. Not only do we race with a new car in the BMW M4 DTM, but I also have a new team. I am now excited to see how we fare on the first race weekend. I am certainly not happy with last year’s results. I am determined to be back fighting among the front-runners. I hope everything finally clicks again and I can get back on the podium as quickly as possible.”

Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK):
“We worked very hard during the winter to ensure that the new BMW M4 DTM is competitive come the start of the season. Despite this, it is always very difficult to predict how the year will pan out before the start of the DTM season. The opposition has not been sleeping, and Audi and Mercedes have also been further developing their cars. It will be exciting to see how we fare in the first race. I claimed my maiden win in the DTM in Hockenheim last year, so I am really looking forward to the opening race.”

António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK):
“It is good that the wait for the first race is finally over. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for doing such an outstanding job of integrating me into the team. I am aware that the first races will be a big challenge for me without any DTM experience, but I am really looking forward to them. I will take this season one race at a time and try to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible. I know the track in Hockenheim pretty well. I particularly like the fast corners.”

Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG):
“It has been a long winter, so I am glad we can finally get started again. The anticipation ahead of the opening race of the season in Hockenheim is huge. I enjoyed some very good results in my first year in the DTM. Therefore, my goal for this season has to be to consistently be among the front-runners. However, we should first wait and see how we compare to our rivals in Hockenheim. I have a good feeling though.”

Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG):
“I can hardly wait to finally get started in Hockenheim. The DTM is something completely new to me, and very different to what I have experienced up until now. However, I am looking forward to this challenge. I am so proud to represent BMW in the DTM and be part of this fantastic programme. My goal is to learn quickly and make progress over the course of the season. That is the most important thing.”

Statistics ahead of the race in Hockenheim:

Driver data:

2014 calendar:

4th May – Hockenheim (DE), 18th May – Oschersleben (DE), 1st June – Budapest (HU), 29th June – Norisring (DE), 13th July – Moscow (RU), 3rd August – Spielberg (AT), 17th August – Nürburgring (DE), 14th September – Lausitzring (DE), 28th September – Guangzhou (CN), 19th October – Hockenheim (DE).

BMW Motorsport media schedule: