BMW pleased to have two titles after a competitive season

BMW placed three drivers in the points today after a disastrous qualifying session, according to their standards and expectations. 2014 Drivers’ champion Marco Wittmann was their best placed driver in fifth, with Team Schnitzer’s Martin Tomczyk seventh and Team MTEK’s António Félix Da Costa in tenth. Their efforts weren’t enough, losing to Audi in the Manufacturers’ title.

The race result was a blow for BMW, who had led the standings since the first race of the season. The M4 DTM, which debuted six months ago, was a strong and fast competitor. Marco Wittmann was crowned champion in Lausitzring six weeks ago, and BMW Team RMG won the Teams’ title in the last race. Furthermore, Wittmann’s team mate at the winning team, Maxime Martin, became the “Rookie of the Year”.

But Team RMG’s efforts, with five victories and several podiums, weren’t enough to pull BMW throughout to the end of the season. With a very strong team effort in the last few races, Audi won today the Manufacturers’ title, after trailing behind the Bavarian manufacturer all year.

Still, BMW is focussing on counting their blessings, with two titles in what they consider a successful DTM season for them.

Dr. Herbet Diess, Management Board Member at BMW AG, was full of praise after seeing a third victorious season for his men: “The third year since our return to the DTM has once again been extremely successful, winning as we did the Drivers’ and Team titles. The 2014 season was again packed with fantastic motorsport and thrilling entertainment for the fans. We once again impressed within a very competitive environment. The teams and drivers – particularly BMW Team RMG and Marco Wittmann this year – deserve utmost respect for their performances. The DTM is, and will remain, the right platform for BMW, on which to demonstrate how competitive our models are in a premium environment against our core competitors.”

BMW Motorsport Director, Jens Marquardt, lamented they didn’t get the ultimate prize, after a good season for the manufacturer: “That was a tough way to end what has otherwise been a magnificent season. Given the situation we found ourselves in after yesterday’s qualifying, we are pleased to have finished in the points with three cars.”

“This year is the first time since our comeback that we have not won the Manufacturers’ Championship. Despite this, we are obviously very happy with two of a possible three titles this season. We have now won six of the nine titles up for grabs since our return to the series in 2012, and have had the champion driver in our ranks on two occasions – that is a fantastic record. This evening we will celebrate the successful season together, before turning our attention to the preparations for next year tomorrow.”

“I would like to thank all the fans, partners and sponsors again for their great support this season. And it goes without saying that a big thank you also goes to all the staff at BMW Motorsport and our teams, who have all played a part in this success. Congratulations to Mattias Ekström on his race win today, and to Audi on winning the Manufacturers’ title”, said Marquardt.

However, Marco Wittmann didn’t go home empty handed. After the race podium, the season trophies were awarded to their respective winners, with Wittmann climbing to the top step to collect the 2014 DTM Drivers’ Champion trophy: “I had already internalised that I was the champion, but being at Hockenheim, in such a special place, in front of thousands of fans, and get the trophy has been special. It’s very heavy, but it fulfils one of my dreams, which was to win in the DTM.”

After having come to Hockenheim with a 21-point lead, BMW has finished second in the Manufacturers’ classification, 30 points behind Audi Sport.