Photo: BMW Press Club

BMW in the points, but not enough, according to Jens Marquardt

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BMW has had a more complicated start of the DTM season than what would have been initially anticipated after their results last year. The manufacturer scored some good points, but couldn’t manage a podium finish in none of the races.

Speaking to Touring Car Times, Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, thinks he knows the key to the modest start of the year: “We definitely didn’t take out the best of the tyres during qualifying. We must go back to the data and analyse what happened, and see where we can improve, as we must find the pace we are lacking with our rivals.”

“Maxime Martin had a strong car yesterday, and drove a good race for us, finishing in seventh. Today Marco Wittmann and Martin Tomczyk drove good races, with spectacular manoeuvres, and I think we made the most of our options today”, concluded Marquardt.

A big talking point in Hockenheim has been the new racing format. Marquardt thinks it opens new possibilities: “The race yesterday was in the dry, and rain was forecasted today. For us, they were two separate races with no connection to each other, with the only problem being the damage from Saturday to be repaired in time for Sunday.”

“Still, we are facing a very condensed timetable, so our engineers and drivers have to work very quickly to find solutions. We don’t have a lot of time to analyse data, and we must make decisions quickly. I’m happy with the way our men at BMW are handling the new challenge” said the Motorsport Director of the Bavarian manufacturer.

The only change at BMW for this year is debutant Tom Blomqvist. The 21-year-old Briton comes from the European Formula 3 championship, and has impressed with his pace. Jens Marquardt thinks he was the right choice: “I’m very happy with Tom. From the very first pre season test he proved himself fast and reliable. He has made very good progress from those early days, and has settled in very well with us.”

After the first round in Hockenheim, BMW is third and last in the Manufacturers’ championship with 38 points, with Martin Tomczyk the best place driver in the table in eighth position, with 12 points.