Stage set for the grand finale: BMW teams at Hockenheim for the final round of the 2017 DTM season.

Munich. As is tradition, the 2017 DTM season will finish where it started back in May: The BMW teams will contest the final two races of the year at Hockenheim (GER) this weekend. Marco Wittmann (GER) arrives at the season finale in fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship, 38 points from the lead and still with a mathematical chance of retaining his title. The BMW teams are looking to bring an eventful season to a close with more positive results.

The situation:

At the last event, Marco Wittmann finished in the points in both races at the Red Bull Ring (AUT). With 134 points to his name, he currently lies fifth in the Drivers’ Championship going into the finale. Wittmann trails leader Mattias Ekström (SWE, Audi) by 38 points, with a total of 56 points available at Hockenheim. Prior to the final round of the season, BMW has two further drivers in the top ten, namely Timo Glock (GER) in seventh place and Maxime Martin (BEL) in ninth. BMW Team RBM, in fourth place, is the best of the BMW crews in the team competition, while BMW lies third in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 484 points. As well as the action and the race for the title, fans at Hockenheim can also look forward to a visit from Japanese manufacturers Nismo and Lexus, who will complete a number of demonstration laps with their cars.

The expectations:

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt: “The finale at Hockenheim marks the end of what has been an eventful 2017 DTM season in many regards. In the 16 races so far, our teams have claimed three victories and 14 podium finishes. Marco Wittmann still has a mathematical chance of defending his Drivers’ title, although his fate is no longer in his own hands. One thing is already certain, every single team member has given their all in the previous race weekends – and we now want to head into the break on the back of some good results. Looking ahead, it is positive to see the Japanese manufacturers at Hockenheim. We promised the DTM fans that we would fight for the future of this series. That is precisely what we are doing.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal, BMW Team RMG): “We head to Hockenheim at the end of a tough season and have at least a mathematical chance of defending the Drivers’ title with Marco Wittmann. That shows how hard we have fought, despite a number of issues, and how much we have improved over the course of the season. Even before the finale, I am very grateful to the entire team for that. We will now do our best to end the year on a high at Hockenheim.”

Marco Wittmann (#11, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 72 races, 8 wins, 19 podiums, 9 pole positions, 657 points, 2 Drivers’ titles): “For me, an exciting and, on the whole, positive DTM season draws to a close at Hockenheim. We have had some highs and lows over the course of the year, but have fought back well with good performances and results, particularly in the final third of the season. I am obviously looking to continue this trend at the season finale, and to go into the winter break on the back of some strong results. Generally speaking, anything is possible at Hockenheim. I am looking forward to an exciting showdown – particularly for the fans.”

Augusto Farfus (#15, Shell BMW M4 DTM – 82 races, 4 wins, 12 podiums, 6 pole positions, 374 points): “This season has often been an emotional rollercoaster, and I would really like to end the year with some good results. I really like the circuit, and have enjoyed a lot of success there in the past. I am very motivated going into this weekend.”

Timo Glock (#16, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – 72 races, 4 wins, 8 podiums, 3 pole positions, 328 points): “The best DTM season of my career so far is drawing to a close. I would love – for my team and my long-term partner Deutsche Post – to finish with some more good results and to end the year as high as possible in the Drivers’ Championship. If I manage that, there will be enough cause to celebrate a little on Sunday evening.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal, BMW Team RBM): “Before the season finale in Hockenheim, it is time to draw some initial conclusions. We are currently fourth in the Teams’ competition at the end of a season of highs and lows. On the whole, we can be really happy with that. Thank you to the entire team and our drivers for their commitment. Hopefully, we will be rewarded for our hard work again at Hockenheim.”

Bruno Spengler (#7, BMW Bank BMW M4 DTM – 155 races, 15 wins, 48 podiums, 18 pole positions, 832 points, 1 Drivers’ title): “The atmosphere at the season finale at Hockenheim is always very special. Since I won my DTM title there in 2012, the venue has always had very fond memories and emotions for me. Hopefully we can end the year with another top result.”

Tom Blomqvist (#31, BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM – 52 races, 1 win, 5 podiums, 2 pole positions, 194 points): “It has been a tough season for me. As such, it would obviously be nice to finish with a success. We’ll have to wait and see whether that is the case. The opposition will be very strong again, but we now know our car better than we did at the season opener at the same venue. Let’s see what we can do. It will definitely be interesting.”

Maxime Martin (#36, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 62 races, 3 wins, 10 podiums, 3 pole positions, 341 points): “I have done well at the season finale at Hockenheim in the past. Hopefully that will be the case again this year. Marco does at least still have a mathematical chance of retaining the title. Let’s see what we can do in the final two races.”

The history:

In total, no fewer than 84 DTM races have taken place at the Hockenheimring. BMW has 14 wins, ten pole positions and 40 podiums to its name. At the season opener in May, Timo Glock secured pole position and finished runner-up in race one. Marco Wittmann also made it onto the podium, finishing third in race two. Wittmann is also the last BMW driver to have climbed onto the top step of the podium in Hockenheim, in 2014. Back then, Wittmann won the opening race to claim BMW’s 60^th victory in the DTM. That was also his first win in the series. At the end of that year, the BMW Team RMG driver lifted the trophy awarded to the champion driver.

The media schedule:

Friday, 13^th October

14:30-15:00hrs, ITR press conference with Timo Glock, Media Centre

Saturday, 14^th October

16:55-17:05hrs, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Centre

Sunday, 15^th October

10:40-11:10hrs, Interview session with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Hospitality

13:00-13:30hrs, Interview session with BMW Brand Ambassador Alex Zanardi, BMW Motorsport Hospitality

17:40-17:50hrs, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Media Centre

The service:

BMW Motorsport offers an innovative Chatbot service for journalists in the 2017 DTM season. This allows users to receive the latest information directly to their smartphone via WhatsApp Messenger. The information available includes driver statistics, statements and photos. You can register for the BMW Motorsport Chatbot at the following link: http://bit.ly/BMW_Motorsport_Media_Broadcast