In race six of the DTM season, Bruno Spengler (CA) claimed BMW Motorsport’s first podium of the year thanks to a spectacular overtaking manoeuvre on the penultimate lap at the Norisring (DE). In what was a fascinating battle with Mattias Ekström (SE), the BMW Team MTEK driver was able to pass the Swede and took the chequered flag in third in his BMW Bank M4 DTM. The race win went to Robert Wickens (CA, Mercedes).
This was Spengler’s 39th podium finish in his DTM career and his first since the second place he picked up at the race in Moscow (RU) last year. By finishing tenth, Maxime Martin (BE) from BMW Team RMG scored one point. Martin Tomczyk (DE), António Félix da Costa (PT) and Marco Wittmann (DE) were unlucky to miss out on the points as they finished 11th, 12th and 13th respectively. DTM rookie Tom Blomqvist (GB) finished 16th.
Through no fault of their own, Augusto Farfus (BR) and Timo Glock (DE) were forced to retire their cars after collisions in turn one.
Reactions to the sixth race of the 2015 DTM season.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director): “After Saturday’s rain roulette, this race was easier to predict. The Norisring is quite a special track, where experienced drivers can really step up their game. This is precisely what Bruno Spengler did in qualifying, as his pole lap was absolutely perfect. In the race, Bruno showed real fighting spirit, attacking at the right time and, deservedly, achieved his first podium of the season for us. Our 2012 DTM champion performed very strongly today. Maxime Martin also gave no quarter and made it into the points. In our current situation, these are precisely the qualities we must show to get back to where we want to be. After the first two difficult race weekends, this was a small step in the right direction. If things stay as they are, I am convinced that we can improve slowly but surely. Congratulations to Mercedes, who have been successful in Nürnberg for years now.”
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team MTEK, 3rd place): “I’m really happy to have finished third, however, I am also a little disappointed as I would, of course, liked to have won the race. Both Mercedes were unbeatable today. I dropped down to fifth, but I fought back and the battle for third with Mattias Ekström was a lot of fun. He actually made a small mistake, which meant I could overtake him in the last few meters. Thank you to my team. We pitted at exactly the right time. Hitting the pit stop window correctly was difficult today. It’s also due to the great strategy that I managed to get onto the podium today.”
Facts and Figures.
Circuit/length/duration:
Norisring, 2.3 kilometres, 60 minutes plus 1 lap
Conditions:
Slightly cloudy, 23 degrees Celsius
BMW Motorsport results:
#7 Bruno Spengler (CA), BMW Team MTEK, BMW Bank M4 DTM – 3rd place
#36 Maxime Martin (BE), BMW Team RMG, SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM – 10th place
#77 Martin Tomczyk (DE), BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW M Performance Parts M4 DTM – 11th place
#13 António Félix da Costa (PT), BMW Team Schnitzer, Red Bull BMW M4 DTM – 12th place
#1 Marco Wittmann (DE), BMW Team RMG, Ice-Watch BMW M4 DTM – 13th place
#31 Tom Blomqvist (GB), BMW Team RBM, BMW M4 DTM – 16th place
#16 Timo Glock (DE), BMW Team MTEK, DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM – DNF
#18 Augusto Farfus (BR), BMW Team RBM, Shell BMW M4 DTM – DNF
Useful information:
Bruno Spengler achieved the 39th podium of his DTM career and was able to taste the champagne for the first time since his second place finish in Moscow last year.
Spengler was able to keep the lead until lap 13, but he lost four positions within a few corners.
From 21st on the grid, Martin Tomczyk pulled off yet another of his strong comeback performances during the race. By finishing 11th he only just missed out on being able to reap the rewards of a points paying finish.
A problem during António Félix da Costa’s pit stop cost the Portuguese driver quite a few seconds.
Timo Glock was hit by another driver in turn one, which caused him to collide with another car. The result was that his DEUTSCHE POST BMW M4 DTM’s engine cover came adrift and he was ultimately forced to retire on lap four when it flew off.
Augusto Farfus retired for the third time this season. His Shell BMW M4 DTM was hit so hard by one of the other drivers that he was forced to retire just one lap later.
Races seven and eight of the 2015 DTM season will take place on 11th and 12th July in Zandvoort (NL).
