Robert Kubica reaches the podium in the BMW M4 DTM for the first time – Timo Glock in fourth.

Zolder. At the 16^th race of the season at Zolder (BEL), Robert Kubica (POL) reached the podium for the first time in his DTM career. Competing for the privateer BMW customer team ART Grand Prix, he claimed third place in his BMW M4 DTM after a crazy race with numerous retirements. Timo Glock (GER) was right behind him, finishing fourth in the iQOO BMW M4 DTM. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA, Shell BMW M4 DTM) and Marco Wittmann (GER, Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM) were also in the points, finishing seventh and eighth.

Jonathan Aberdein (RSA, CATL BMW M4 DTM), Philipp Eng (AUT, ZF BMW M4 DTM) and Lucas Auer (AUT, BMW Bank M4 DTM) all retired from the turbulent race after collisions. Glock is the best-placed BMW representative in the drivers’ standings, in fifth place with 116 points.

Reactions to the 16^th DTM race of the 2020 season.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Group Motorsport Director):

“Congratulations to Robert Kubica and ART Grand Prix on their first DTM podium with the BMW M4 DTM. I am delighted that the hard work of our privateer customer team has been rewarded with this third place as we approach the end of the season. Like Robert Kubica, Timo Glock drove a faultless race and finished fourth to score some important points in the drivers’ championship. Apart from that, it was a disappointing race for us, even though Sheldon van der Linde and Marco Wittmann did score points by finishing seventh and eighth. We will have to take another careful look at the accidents involving Jonathan Aberdein, Philipp Eng and Lucas Auer. The crucial aspect is that Philipp Eng made it out of his car without injury. Many thanks to the Zolder track marshals who reacted extremely well to the fire on his car. We will do everything in our power to round off the season at Hockenheim with a highlight.”

Robert Kubica (#8 BMW M4 DTM, privateer BMW customer team ART Grand Prix, 3^rd place):

“This is a great moment for the entire ART Grand Prix Team after a difficult season. We had a lot to learn and needed to improve in many areas. Everything worked really well today. We managed to steer clear of all the problems and took our chances. We had really good pace in the decisive stages of the race. The tyres were an important factor today, so I didn’t push too hard after my pit stop and tried to keep them alive. I was able to build up a lead over the cars behind me and get home in third place.”

Marco Wittmann (#11 Schaeffler BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 15^th, Race: 8^th, Drivers’ standings: 7^th, 95 points):

“It was a tough weekend for me. Unfortunately, our pace was not competitive. I wasn't able to get going in qualifying or in the race. I hope that things will look better for the finale at Hockenheim.”

Timo Glock (#16 iQOO BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMG, Grid: 14^th, Race: 4^th, Driver’s standings: 5^th, 116 points):

“That was a crazy race. Almost half of the starting field was out by the time we had completed about eight laps. I just concentrated on steering clear of all the incidents and managing the tyres. That worked well and I am pleased with fourth place, although I would have preferred to have reached the podium, of course. At the same time, I am delighted for Robert. He has earned this podium as he drove a great race. He has made progress race by race and his hard work has now been rewarded.”

Lucas Auer (#22 BMW Bank M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 13^th, Race: DNF, Drivers’ standings: 11^th, 51 points):

“A disappointing race. There was a big crash in the opening stages and then there was contact between me and Philipp Eng after the Indy restart. My race was over after that. We just have to write it off. We want to go back on the attack at Hockenheim.”

Philipp Eng (#25 ZF BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 8^th, Race: DNF, Drivers’ standings: 12^th, 45 points):

“It was an unfortunate collision with Lucas Auer, there was nothing else I could have done. I took a hit from outside on the left. Hats off to the track marshals for getting the fire on my car under control so quickly.”

Jonathan Aberdein (#27 CATL BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RMR, Grid: 6^th, Race: DNF, Drivers’ standings: 13^th, 45 points):

“My race was over early. There was contact between me and Fabio Scherer on the entry to turn eight. It might have been a misjudgement on my part, but I will have to take a closer look at it again to understand what actually happened. It was a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a good weekend.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 Shell BMW M4 DTM, BMW Team RBM, Grid: 11^th, Race: 7^th, Drivers’ standings: 6^th, 105 points):

“I had a good start and moved up two places on the first lap. After that, it was just chaotic, with two safety cars. I was able to hold my position but our strategy was blown. We tried to react to the two safety cars but the others were just smarter today. Scoring points in seventh place is OK but we want to be on the podium and winning. Unfortunately, that was not the case this weekend. We will push on and aim to conclude the season with a good result at Hockenheim.”