Félix da Costa claims first DTM win of his career in Zandvoort – Five BMW M4 DTMs out in front.

Zandvoort (NL), 12th July 2015. First pole position, first win: António Félix da Costa (PT) crowned a perfect Sunday’s racing at “Circuit Park Zandvoort” (NL) with the first victory of his DTM career. Having made a perfect start from pole position, he was then able to defend the lead for the entire 60-minute race in the Red Bull BMW M4 DTM, crossing the finish line in first place.

He was followed home by another four BMW drivers: Augusto Farfus (BR, Shell BMW M4 DTM), Bruno Spengler (CA, BMW Bank M4 DTM), Timo Glock (DE, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (DE, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM). One day after the historic top-seven shut-out, they occupied the top five positions for BMW Motorsport for the third time in the history of the DTM.

Maxime Martin (BE, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM) and Tom Blomqvist (GB, BMW M4 DTM) finished 17th and 18th. Having failed to finish on Saturday, Martin Tomczyk (DE, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM) was unlucky again on Sunday and had to retire following a collision.

Reactions to the eighth race of the 2015 DTM season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After yesterday’s result, we were able to achieve another top result in race two, although it was much tougher today. It is obviously fantastic to see so many BMW drivers so far up the field. After yesterday’s excellent second place, António Félix da Costa went one better and claimed his first win in the DTM today – the first Portuguese driver ever to do so. He drove a good race. It was not easy for him, as he had all his fellow BMW drivers behind him. António and BMW Team Schnitzer worked hard for that win. They have not always had it easy in recent months. Congratulations to António and Schnitzer! Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, Timo Glock and Marco Wittmann also had a great second race. Martin Tomczyk was unlucky again, but had once again shown his fighting spirit before his retirement. Maxime Martin and Tom Blomqvist at least managed to finish in the points on Saturday. All in all, my summary of the weekend is obviously a very positive one. Everything came together for us. However, given the overall situation, we remain realistic in our evaluation of the weekend: the opposition is extremely strong – much stronger than it may have appeared here. The way the DTM is at the moment, it is coming down to mere details from one racetrack to the next. The differences in qualifying times are always extremely small. Importantly, our team spirit is very strong. We will need that over the coming months. We must continue to work hard. I would like to dedicate this success to the entire team, of whom I am very proud. Everybody worked very hard for that. Today we will celebrate, but we start from scratch again in Spielberg.”

António Félix da Costa (BMW Team Schnitzer, 1st place ): “I am speechless. What a fantastic weekend. My first podium in the DTM yesterday was fantastic enough. But today was just perfect, with pole position and my first win. I am enjoying every moment. I have come through a difficult time. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for the support – and thanks to the guys at BMW Team Schnitzer, of course. I am now really looking forward to the home race of my Red Bull BMW M4 DTM in Spielberg.”

Facts and Figures.

Circuit/length/duration:

Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4.307 kilometres, 60 minutes plus 1 lap

Conditions:

Cloudy, 18 degrees Celsius

BMW Motorsport results:

#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 1st

#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 2nd

#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 3rd

#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 4th

#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 5th

#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 17th

#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – 18th

#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – DNF

Useful information:

António Félix da Costa claimed his first victory in his 18th DTM race. The last race at which he stood on the top step of the podium was the Argentinean round of the FIA Formula E Championship in Buenos Aires (AR) on 10th January 2015.

Félix da Costa ended by far his most successful DTM weekend with a win, a pole position, a fastest lap, and two podium finishes. He is the first Portuguese driver ever to win a DTM race.

BMW Motorsport claimed two wins, two pole positions, two fastest laps and all six podiums in Zandvoort.

This was the first win for BMW Team Schnitzer since Bruno Spengler’s victory in Spielberg (AT) in 2013. Despite a history of racing stretching back over 50 years, the team from Freilassing had never previously won a race in Zandvoort.

Augusto Farfus made his first appearance of the DTM season on the podium. The last time he finished on a podium was when BMW finished first, second, third and fourth in Spielberg in 2014. He finished runner-up then too.

Maxime Martin was hit in the rear by another competitor on lap two of the race, causing him to drop to the back of the field.

Timo Glock was the first driver to come into the pits on lap 12 and made up three positions thanks to his early stop. He climbed from seventh to fourth. Augusto Farfus’ stop on lap 13 moved him ahead of Bruno Spengler and into second place.

Glock set the fastest lap of the race, in a time of 1:33.635 minutes. This was the first time in his DTM career that he had achieved this feat.

Martin Tomczyk had to retire his damaged car on lap 18 following a number of contacts while battling for position.

Tom Blomqvist was given a drive-through penalty following a collision with Robert Wickens (CA, Mercedes).