PressClub Global · Article.
BMW Motorsport News - Issue 38/2018.
Sun Oct 28 18:26:43 CET 2018 Press Release
Interview with Bruno Spengler after roll-out of BMW M4 DTM with two-litre turbo engine – successful season finale for BMW Team Italia.
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Whether in the DTM, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, or countless other
championships: Week after week BMW teams and drivers around the
world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the
track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the
world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” allows
us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and
informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed.
DTM: roll-out for BMW M4 DTM with two-litre turbo engine.
The BMW M4 DTM, modified to comply with Class 1 regulations and
driven by the newly-developed BMW two-litre turbo engine, has
completed a baptism of fire at its BMW Group Plant Dingolfing (DEU)
premiere. BMW works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN) was behind the wheel.
The 2012 DTM champion shared his impressions in this interview.
Three questions for... Bruno Spengler.
Bruno, how was your experience of the BMW M4 DTM roll-out with
the two-litre turbo engine?
Bruno Spengler: “The first
few kilometres felt very good. That marked the start of a new era for
us and for the DTM. Being able to be there right at the start made it
very special for me. It was a very interesting and productive
roll-out. Now I am looking forward to the next steps in its development.”
The new turbo engine is substantially stronger than its
predecessor. Did you notice the extra power?
Spengler: “As soon as you put your foot on the gas and the revs start
to go up, you feel that the car generates a lot more thrust and has
more performance potential than before. The new engine will have an
effect on the top speed in particular. We will be significantly faster
on the straights and that will provide even more excitement for the
spectators. Of course, the engine does sound different now but I still
really like the sound.”
How will racing change in 2019?
Spengler: “I think that the DTM will be even more spectacular
and the show will be even better for the spectators. For one thing, we
will be even faster on the straights. I also feel that the rear tyres
will deteriorate a bit more during the races as we will have more
horsepower available. That means that drivers might make a few more
mistakes here and there. We will certainly have to work more in the cockpit.”
--
Italian GT Championship: podium for BMW Team Italia at the finale.
Stefano Comandini (ITA) and Max Koebolt (NED) have rounded off the season with another podium finish in the BMW Team Italia #15 BMW M6 GT3. The duo secured second place in the first of two races at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello (ITA). Comandini and Koebolt started from eighth place in the BMW M6 GT3 and worked their way gradually up through the field as the race progressed. The second race on Sunday was affected by severe downpours. Comandini and Koebolt finished in eighth place. Comandini is the best-placed BMW representative in the championship standings, in sixth position.