Bruno Spengler: track temperature key to strong qualifying

BMW’s Bruno Spengler feels the track temperature will be key to his performance in qualifying at Hockenheim.

The outgoing DTM champion finished this morning’s free practice session in third, 0.225s off of Schnitzer BMW team-mate, Dirk Werner, who topped the time sheets.

Despite wanting to give the BMW M3 a strong send off before the manufacturer switches for the M4 for 2014, Spengler is cautious as to where he can qualify due to track temperatures affecting the set-up of his car.

“This morning we went the right direction in practice, but of course the temperature will change,” Spengler told TouringCarTimes. “It was cold this morning, but we expect the track temperature to be around 25-degrees in qualifying.

“It has been definitely going in the right direction, but we need to see if we can improve a few points with it.”

Spengler is unable to defend his title after Audi’s Mike Rockenfeller became this season’s DTM champion at Zandvoort, but is aiming to finish third in the championship this weekend.

He also wants to help BMW take its second consecutive manufacturer’s title.

At present, Spengler lies fifth in the championship on 67 points, four off of third place man Christian Vietoris in third, whilst BMW is second in the manufacturer’s standings on 317 points; eight behind leaders Audi.

“The goal this weekend is for BMW to take the manufacturers championship, and for myself? I’m going to do everything I can to do a good race weekend and take third in the championship.”