PressClub Global · Article.
Back in Budapest: BMW and the DTM return to the Hungaroring.
Tue May 27 08:49:00 CEST 2014 Press Release
Archiv
BMW Motorsport and the DTM are returning to the iconic Hungaroring (HU). After an absence of 26 years, the popular touring car series is back in Budapest (HU).
Contatto stampa.
Ingo Lehbrink
BMW Group
Tel: +49-89-382-76003
Fax: +49-89-382-28567
send an e-mail
Autore.
Ingo Lehbrink
BMW Group
This article in other PressClubs
Munich, 26th May 2014. BMW Motorsport and the DTM are
returning to the iconic Hungaroring (HU). After an absence of 26
years, the popular touring car series is back in Budapest (HU).
When the DTM made its first appearance there on 18th September
1988, it was still in the two-race format. Markus Oestreich (DE)
was the best-placed BMW driver, finishing both races in fourth
place at the wheel of the legendary BMW M3. Back then, the field
was made up of 34 drivers, including 16 in BMW racing cars. The
latest crop of BMW drivers has already gained experience of the
Hungaroring in the BMW M4 DTM during the official ITR tests in the
run-up to the season.
Before the season-opener in Hockenheim (DE), Timo Glock (DE),
who has a large fan base in Hungary, thrilled the crowds in
Budapest with a spectacular demonstration in his 2013 DEUTSCHE
POST BMW M3 DTM. Against the imposing backdrop of the Danube,
suspension bridge and parliament buildings, the BMW Team MTEK
driver treated 450,000 visitors to a real feast of motorsport.
Going into the third round of the DTM on 1st June 2014, BMW is
currently second in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 66
points. The best-placed BMW driver in the Drivers’ Championship is
Marco Wittmann (DE) in third place with 25 points. The 24-year-old
from Fürth (DE) claimed BMW Motorsport’s first pole position of
the season at the second race in Oschersleben in the Ice-Watch BMW
M4 DTM. This was also the 40th pole for BMW in the DTM, the tenth
since it returned to the DTM in 2012, and the first for BMW Team
RMG. Wittmann is joined in the top ten of the Drivers’
Championship by fellow BMW drivers Augusto Farfus (BR), Timo Glock
(DE) and Bruno Spengler (CA).
The new Performance Weights will be in use again at the
Hungaroring. Both Farfus and Tomczyk will compete with an
additional 2.5 kilograms on board. Wittmann, Spengler, Glock and
Joey Hand (US) carry no additional weight. DTM rookies António
Félix da Costa (PT) and Maxime Martin (BE) may remove 2.5
kilograms from their BMW M4 DTMs.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Maiden win and first pole position for the BMW M4 DTM,
countless overtaking manoeuvres, and a spectacular battle in the
rain: the first two DTM races of the year were certainly not
lacking in action. We opened with a dream result in Hockenheim,
but luck was not on our side in Oschersleben. Therefore, I hope
Budapest gives us another race in regular conditions, which will
allow us to convert our car’s performance into points across the
board again. Returning to Budapest after a quarter of a century is
very special for the DTM, and for BMW Motorsport. The fans in
Hungary are incredibly enthusiastic – something Timo Glock
experienced on his outing in the city centre a few weeks ago. This
passion in the stands will definitely give our drivers and teams
an extra boost and encourage them to put on a great show and
thrilling race at the Hungaroring.”
Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM):
“Our team has never raced at the Hungaroring before, so we are
all really looking forward to making our first appearance there.
The fact that Augusto Farfus was able to score points in
Oschersleben, despite the difficult conditions, was very positive.
We have scored points in the first two DTM races of 2014 and are
now looking to carry this momentum into the weekend in Budapest.”
Charly Lamm (Team Principal, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“We were very disappointed not to get the result we had
hoped for in Oschersleben. Unfortunately the many safety car
phases cost us a better result. Under normal circumstances we
could definitely have done better, even in the rain. We now
head to the next race in Budapest fully motivated. We may have
tested in Hungary, but the Hungaroring on a race weekend will
be a new experience for all the teams. I hope we will be
rewarded for our hard work at the race, and that we will come
away with better results than we have done of late.
”
Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):
“We may have tested together in Hungary, but the Hungaroring
on a race weekend is still a new experience for all the teams.
With this in mind, it will be fascinating to see who comes to
terms best with this circuit. Timo Glock has already seen the
passion for racing in Budapest for himself, and reported back to
the team, who are now all really looking forward to our first race there.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG):
“It really is one race after another in the DTM – and I like
this two-week cycle. It obviously also means a lot of work within
a short amount of time, but that makes it easier to maintain the
excitement and adrenalin levels. Although the result in
Oschersleben was not ideal for us, we still travel to Hungary in
good spirits. The pace is good – and we want to show that and hit
straight back at the Hungaroring.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 3, BMW Team RBM):
“We did test at the Hungaroring in the season preparation,
but a lot has changed since then. We know the cars a lot better
now, and the temperatures will also be different to what we
experienced in April. That makes the race in Budapest a
completely new experience for everyone. I like the circuit and
hope we can be competitive again there.”
Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM):
“Budapest is a great city, and the fans in Hungary are just
fantastic. When we were there for the test in April, they even
stopped me at the airport and wanted me to sign autographs. I
think Budapest is good for the DTM. It will be an amazing show.
The Hungaroring is a pretty cool track – a bit old-school. It
reminds me of the old American circuits that I love so much. I am
looking forward to the race.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“Budapest has only hosted the DTM on one occasion in the past.
No BMW driver has finished on the podium at this circuit before.
We are out to change all that. My goal is always to get the
maximum out of the car and myself. The same goes for the race in
Hungary. Qualifying will be extremely important. I don’t think the
Hungaroring will offer many opportunities for overtaking, even
with DRS, as the start/finish straight is rather short.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team Schnitzer):
“I am very much looking forward to the trip to Budapest. For
us drivers, it is always nice to race at a new circuit. It does
help that we already have some experience of the Hungaroring,
thanks to the ITR test there this spring. The show run in Budapest
a few weeks ago proved that the fans in Hungary are mad about motorsport.”
Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK):
“Budapest is an absolute highlight for me – particularly after
my show run there before the season-opener in Hockenheim. The fans
gave me an awesome welcome and enjoyed a fantastic festival of
motorsport. It is fantastic for the DTM and Hungary that the
series is back in Budapest after an absence of 26 years. I am now
excited to see how we get on at the Hungaroring. Testing there is
one thing. But a DTM race there is a different affair. I hope we
will pick up plenty of points for BMW.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK):
“The race in Budapest is very special for me. I want to
continue my good run there: After all, I won both races in the
2012 GP3 series at this circuit. I know the track, so am well
prepared for the weekend. I expect a tough, nerve-racking
qualifying and a fiercely-competitive race – as always in the DTM.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG):
“I travel to the race in Budapest full of confidence. The
first two races showed that I have the necessary pace. With this
in mind, my goal for the third qualifying of the year is to score
another strong result, which will then allow me to go on the
attack. The Hungaroring has a lot of corners, and is similar in
character to Oschersleben – even if some of the corners have a
different style. Downforce is important again at this track. I am
racing without the five kilos of Performance Weights I had on
board in Oschersleben. I am intrigued to see how much I can
benefit from that.”
Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG):
“I like the circuit on the outskirts of Budapest. The track is
not easy. However, BMW has the potential to be successful at the
Hungaroring. It will definitely be another tough race, as the
field is incredibly evenly matched. Hungary marks my third DTM
weekend. For me, the priority remains to gain experience. I am
feeling more and more comfortable in the car and with the series.”
Statistics ahead of the race in Budapest:
Circuit /
Date |
Hungaroring, 1st June 2014 |
Laps /
Distance |
41 laps, 4.381 km |
Driver data:
Driver |
FAR |
HAN |
SPE |
TOM |
GLO |
DAC |
WIT |
MAR |
Nationality |
BR |
US |
CA |
DE |
DE |
PT |
DE |
BE |
Number |
3 |
4 |
9 |
10 |
17 |
18 |
23 |
24 |
Team |
BMW Team RBM |
BMW Team RBM |
BMW Team Schnitzer |
BMW Team Schnitzer |
BMW Team MTEK |
BMW Team MTEK |
BMW Team RMG |
BMW Team RMG |
Races |
22 |
22 |
95 |
133 |
12 |
2 |
12 |
2 |
Wins |
4 |
- |
14 |
7 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
Poles |
3 |
- |
16 |
8 |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
Fastest laps |
1 |
1 |
14 |
8 |
- |
- |
2 |
- |
Points |
199 |
39 |
550 |
408 |
50 |
- |
74 |
- |
2014 points |
14 |
1 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
- |
25 |
- |
Current position |
7th |
15th |
10th |
13th |
9th |
- |
3rd |
- |
Performance Weights |
+2,5kg |
+/-0kg |
+/-0kg |
+2,5kg |
+/-0kg |
-2,5kg |
+/-0kg |
-2,5kg |
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:
Saturday, 31st May | ||
20:20-20:45 |
Interviews with the BMW DTM
drivers |
BMW Motorsport Hospitality |
Sunday, 1st June | ||
9:30-10:00 |
Round table interview with BMW Motorsport Director
Jens Marquardt |
BMW Motorsport Hospitality |
17:30-18:00 |
Interviews with the BMW DTM drivers and BMW
Motorsport Director Jens
Marquardt |
BMW Motorsport Hospitality |
About the DTM.
The German Touring Car Masters – DTM for short – is the most popular touring car series in the world. Last season, over 700,000 spectators flocked to renowned racetracks in Germany and around Europe to watch the ten races live. The series pits the three premium automobile manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz against each other in a sporting contest. BMW fielded its first works teams from 1984 to 1992, during which time it claimed 49 race victories and won the Drivers’ Championship on three occasions (1984, 1987 and 1989). In 2012, the manufacturer returned to the DTM with the BMW M3 DTM, three teams and six drivers. BMW promptly won five races and topped the driver, team and manufacturer standings at the end of the season. In 2013, BMW Motorsport managed to defend the Manufacturer’s title with four teams and eight drivers. The 2014 DTM calendar once again consists of ten races. The schedule includes four trips abroad, to Budapest (HU), Spielberg (AT), Moscow (RU) and Guangzhou (CN). The season traditionally ends in Hockenheim (DE) on 19th October. TV station ARD is broadcasting each qualifying and every race live. Tickets for all the DTM races are available here: http://www.bmw-motorsport.com/en/fan-area/dtm-tickets.html
The German Touring Car Masters – DTM for short – is the most popular touring car series in the world. Last season, over 700,000 spectators flocked to renowned racetracks in Germany and around Europe to watch the ten races live. The series pits the three premium automobile manufacturers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz against each other in a sporting contest. BMW fielded its first works teams from 1984 to 1992, during which time it claimed 49 race victories and won the Drivers’ Championship on three occasions (1984, 1987 and 1989). In 2012, the manufacturer returned to the DTM with the BMW M3 DTM, three teams and six drivers. BMW promptly won five races and topped the driver, team and manufacturer standings at the end of the season. In 2013, BMW Motorsport managed to defend the Manufacturer’s title with four teams and eight drivers. The 2014 DTM calendar once again consists of ten races. The schedule includes four trips abroad, to Budapest (HU), Spielberg (AT), Moscow (RU) and Guangzhou (CN). The season traditionally ends in Hockenheim (DE) on 19th October. TV station ARD is broadcasting each qualifying and every race live. Tickets for all the DTM races are available here: http://www.bmw-motorsport.com/en/fan-area/dtm-tickets.html