Raising the curtain on the new turbo era: BMW Motorsport kicks off the 2019 DTM season at Hockenheim.

Munich. The wait is finally over: the new BMW M4 DTM with BMW Turbo Power – developed in accordance with Class 1 regulations – will make its race debut this weekend. From 3^rd to 5^th May, the Hockenheimring (GER) will host the opening round of the 2019 DTM season. The six BMW M4 DTMs will once again be run by BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG.

The 2019 DTM driver line-up at BMW includes five familiar faces and one newcomer. Timo Glock (GER), Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Marco Wittmann (GER) represent BMW Team RMG. Philipp Eng (AUT), Joel Eriksson (SWE) and rookie Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) start for BMW Team RBM.

The BMW M4 DTM is powered by a new two-litre R4 turbo engine, which has been developed from scratch and generates over 600 hp – the P48. The move to turbo engines is one of many innovations in the DTM. The aerodynamics have also been modified and the weight of the car reduced. Furthermore, a push-to-pass system, which allows drivers to briefly call on more power for overtaking manoeuvres, has been introduced.

Quotes ahead of the DTM opener at Hockenheim.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“The start of the season is always a highlight, but we are particularly excited this year. We are entering a new era with the DTM. With the new turbo engine in the BMW M4 DTM, we are taking up the success story of 50 years of BMW Turbo Power in motorsport. We have already enjoyed exciting and thrilling races in the past. With the innovations for the 2019 season, however, the DTM is shifting up a gear in terms of excitement. At the same time, we are also pleased to have a fantastic new manufacturer and competitor in Aston Martin. It will be very interesting to see how the balance of power develops at Hockenheim. The regulations have really shaken things up for 2019 and all will be revealed at the opening race weekend. However, one thing is certain: fans can look forward to spectacular races with lots of action – and we want to have a big say in the battle for the top step of the podium.”

Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW Team RMG):

“After the six-month winter break with a very tiring test season and a lot of innovations, such as the turbo engine, we will be as well prepared as possible when we get to Hockenheim. It is always exciting, after all the time spent developing, to arrive at the first race weekend with a new car like the BMW M4 DTM. We have very few changes in the team and line up with a well-oiled crew. New on the driver side is Bruno Spengler, and we are very much looking forward to working with him. As a team, we want to prepare our new cars as well as possible for the first races of the season. We will work hard to be well positioned when we finally go racing again.”

Bruno Spengler (#7 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG):

“The anticipation and excitement are huge, as we are entering a new era in the DTM. I don’t believe anybody really knows what to expect. There is still a bit of a question mark hanging over us, and we will get the answer at Hockenheim. As such, there is already a lot of tension. It goes without saying that I am already looking forward to the fans and the atmosphere at the season-opener at Hockenheim. Racing there is simply awesome. I can hardly wait and am very determined to do well.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG):

“After the long winter break, I am looking forward to getting started and finally seeing the fans at the racetrack again. Hockenheim will undoubtedly be as brilliant as ever. I think we can look forward to an exciting start to the season, particularly as we enter this new era with the new engines and a new third manufacturer in Aston Martin. We will also see what the actual balance of power is there. Not everyone showed all their cards at the test at the Lausitzring. When it comes down to it, the first time everything is revealed will be in qualifying at Hockenheim. Then we will see where we really are.”

Timo Glock (#16 BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR):

“I am looking forward to getting going again. The first race is always a highlight, particularly at Hockenheim. The weekend there will finally shed a little light on where we stand compared to the others. Up to now, that has been impossible to deduce. I am very intrigued to see how the opening weekend pans out for us.”

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal BMW Team RBM):

“First of all, it has been a tremendous challenge – the new car and the new engine. The winter has been full of hard development work, which is always tough around a state-of-the-art race car like we have. I think that we go to Hockenheim with high expectations. We want to be competitive with all three drivers. We want to be on the zero-mistake level; I think it’s very important because reliability will come into play as well. We want to finish both races with all three drivers, have safe races and see where we are as a package – as a team, as a car, as a manufacturer and in combination with the drivers. We will do our absolute best to get the maximum out of it but it is very difficult to make a prediction. So, let’s roll the dice and let’s see.”

Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR):

“The anticipation ahead of finally racing in the DTM again is huge. Nothing else gives me the feeling that goes through my body when I am on the DTM grid, just before the lights go out. It is really very exciting. The wait is finally over. After all the preparation, I just want to go racing again now.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM):

“Hockenheim is going to be cool. It’s going to be a big weekend for me. Obviously it’s my debut in the DTM, so a lot of things are going on, apart from the driving. It’s going to be interesting to manage all these factors. Out on the track, however, I obviously can’t wait to be on the starting grid at Hockenheim. We have quite high expectations as usual but let’s see where we end up. We should also be reasonable. It’s my first season in the DTM, so I have to learn a lot, also from my team-mates, but so far it has been going very well.” 

Joel Eriksson (#47 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM):

“I am super excited. I think everyone is, but especially as a driver it’s special to sit behind the wheel when you have a completely new engine under the hood. They will be very interesting and entertaining races. We also have the push-to-pass system now, that adds even more excitement. Last year, the first race weekend was pretty cool and insane, and I think it will be the same this year. I can’t wait to come to Hockenheim. I’m sure it will be really great racing.”

Media Schedule (all times CEST).

Friday, 3^rd May

11.30-12.00, ITR press conference with Sheldon van der Linde, Baden-Württemberg Center, 4^th floor

Saturday, 4^th May

15.50-16.00, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Baden-Württemberg Center, 4^th floor

Sunday, 5^th May

09.30-10.00, Media round table with BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, BMW Hospitality

15.50-16.00, Mixed Zone with all BMW drivers, Baden-Württemberg Center, 4^th floor