PressClub Global · Article.
The countdown is on: BMW Motorsport completes its final test before the DTM opener in Hockenheim.
Thu Apr 17 19:44:48 CEST 2014 Press Release
With less than three weeks to go before the start of the 2014 DTM season, BMW Motorsport has officially completed its programme of preparations. As well as the four BMW teams and their eight drivers, the remaining manufacturers in the DTM were also in action at the Hockenheimring (DE) from Monday to Thursday. In keeping with tradition, the same circuit will also host the first of the season’s ten races on 4th May 2014.
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Hockenheim (DE), 17th April 2014. With less than three weeks to go before the start of the 2014 DTM season, BMW Motorsport has officially completed its programme of preparations. As well as the four BMW teams and their eight drivers, the remaining manufacturers in the DTM were also in action at the Hockenheimring (DE) from Monday to Thursday. In keeping with tradition, the same circuit will also host the first of the season’s ten races on 4th May 2014.
All eight BMW DTM drivers spent time on the 4.574-kilometre track over the course of the final test before the opening showdown. Augusto Farfus (BR), Joey Hand (US), Bruno Spengler (CA), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Timo Glock (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT), Marco Wittmann (DE) and Maxime Martin (BE) worked their way through a comprehensive programme, with dry conditions on all four days allowing them to complete a total of approximately 10,000 kilometres with the new BMW M4 DTM.
The fastest time of the day went to a BMW driver on three occasions. BMW Team RMG driver Wittmann clocked the fastest lap on Monday and Tuesday with times of 1:33.084 minutes and 1:32.132 minutes. On the third day, it was the turn of Hand to set the fastest time of 1:32.658 minutes for BMW Team RBM.
Next stop for the eight BMW drivers is Munich (DE). BMW Motorsport will present its complete programme for 2014 there on 25th April when BMW Plant Munich and BMW Welt provide the spectacular stage for the official BMW Motorsport launch.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Our
latest test in Hockenheim was once again very revealing. The
performance of our four BMW M4 DTMs was good. However, it was also
important to be able to work through the programme we had planned,
point by point. We are happy with what we have achieved so far with
our new car. However, it is still difficult to make any predictions
for the first race weekend in Hockenheim. Whatever happens, our
preparations have passed without any major difficulties, so we can now
really look forward to the BMW Motorsport Launch on 25th April in
Munich, as well as the start of the DTM season in May. I think the
fans are in for an exciting opening showdown at the Hockenheimring.”
Augusto Farfus (car number 3, BMW Team
RBM):
“The final test before the season opener in
Hockenheim was very positive for me. Together with my team, we were
able to improve many areas of the new car. As every manufacturer is
working through its own programme and has definitely not revealed its
full hand yet, it will be exciting to see how the 2014 season pans
out. It is almost impossible to make any comparisons with the
opposition before the first race. However, I have a very good feeling.
The BMW M4 DTM performed well at the test here in Hockenheim. We are
certainly ready for the opening race in Hockenheim on 4th May.”
Joey Hand (car number 4, BMW Team RBM):
“The
guys at BMW Team RBM and I spent the tests primarily working on the
set-up for qualifying, the way the car behaves on standard tyres, and
on my out laps. As there will only be one mandatory pit stop this
season, you have fewer opportunities to use strategy to move through
the field. For this reason, qualifying is hugely important, as is the
out lap after the pit stop. All in all, I have the feeling our new car
suits my driving style. The Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M4 DTM is
definitely a Joey Hand car. I feel right at home in it, and sense I
can be quicker than I was last season. I love Hockenheim. It is my
home circuit in Europe. This is where I have completed the most laps
and enjoyed some of my best results. Bring it on.”
Bruno Spengler (car number 9, BMW Team
Schnitzer):
“We still have a bit of work to do before
the start of the season. We will analyse all the data we collected
during testing in great detail over the next three weeks in the run up
to the opening race at the Hockenheimring. It is still hard to say how
strong we will be with the new car in 2014. However, one thing is
certain: we will be well prepared come the start of the new season.”
Martin Tomczyk (car number 10, BMW Team
Schnitzer):
“The test in Hockenheim marks the end of the
preparations for the new DTM season. It has been a long winter, so
there is obviously huge anticipation ahead of the first race on 4th
May. Our goal is to introduce our new BMW M4 DTM to the fans with a
success. Given the way the tests have panned out so far, I am
confident we will achieve that. Generally speaking, we are happy with
our results. We completed the programme we had planned without any
problems – and are definitely well positioned.”
Timo Glock (car number 17, BMW Team MTEK):
“As
a driver, you would obviously always like to have a few more test days
before the opening race. On the whole, however, the preparation has
gone well and we have been quick. We have taken a big step forward
with the new BMW M4 DTM. However, we will have to see whether that
step is big enough. We will find that out on the first race weekend. I
feel good – and ready for Hockenheim.”
António Félix da Costa (car number 18, BMW Team MTEK):
“In total, I have completed two testing days in
Hockenheim. The first was fantastic. I drove over 700 kilometres. We
learned a lot about the BMW M4 DTM and tried out a few things. The
priority for me was to understand how the car behaves in certain
situations. I had my first off on the morning of the second day of
testing and ended up in the gravel trap. That is all part of the
learning process I am going through as a DTM rookie. However, no
matter how illuminating and important the testing may be, I am ready
to finally get racing. I want to compete in my first DTM race.”
Marco Wittmann (car number 23, BMW Team RMG):
“I am very happy with this test. We ran our programme
without any problems. The two fastest laps were obviously nice for the
team and me. However, it is not possible to judge how significant that
is with regard to the season opener in Hockenheim. As a racing driver,
however, you always want to be on top – whether at a test, in
qualifying, or in the race. The BMW M4 DTM is making a very good
impression. We have made a big leap forward in terms of development
compared to last year. Because of this, I am confident going into the
new season.”
Maxime Martin (car number 24, BMW Team RMG):
“Together with BMW Team RMG, I was able to work through
the planned test programme without any problems. I also got a lot of
kilometres under my belt with the new car. That is particularly
important for a newcomer like me. My DTM debut is now just three weeks
away. I am really looking forward to my first race in this series. It
is completely different to what I have experienced in my racing career
up to now. It will obviously be important to find my feet at the start
of the season. However, I am optimistic I can do that. Let the DTM
adventure begin.”