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Marco Wittmann thrilled with debut DTM win

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BMW’s Marco Wittmann has described himself as “overjoyed” with his first DTM career victory.

The RMG team driver qualified second, but managed to pass pole-sitter Adrien Tambay’s Audi RS 5 DTM on the second lap and win the Hockenheim DTM season opener by almost 13 seconds from Mattias Ekström.

“I am overjoyed with my maiden DTM win, the first victory for the BMW M4 DTM, and the first success for BMW Team RMG,” said Wittmann. “My start was not ideal, but I was still able to hang on to my position after the first lap. I overtook the leader on lap three and was able to open up a big enough gap to allow me to remain in the lead after the pit stop. I was then able to maintain my lead and seal the win.

In addition to it being the first win of his DTM career, Wittmann’s victory was also symbolic as it was the 60th for BMW in the DTM, the first for the RMG team and the first for the new BMW M4 DTM.

“I am proud that my win also brought up victory number 60 for BMW in the DTM. Even the tests went very well for me.”

BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt also praised Wittmann for his drive, and went as far to describe his driver as being “in a league of his own.”

“What a dream debut weekend for the BMW M4 DTM,” said Marquardt. “To return to Hockenheim with the brand-new car and win the first race, half a year after the last victory with the BMW M3 DTM – it doesn’t get much better.

“At the same time, it is also a great maiden win for the RMG team and Marco Wittmann, who drove an absolutely incredible race and was in a league of his own today.

“He controlled the entire race magnificently. It was a joy to watch him.”

The head of the RMG team, Stefan Reinhold, also praised Wittmann, and added the outfit’s debut win was influenced by its turbulent 2013 DTM season.

“Marco [Wittmann] did a perfect job today, it was simply incredible.

“He deserves all the praise he receives, and we are very grateful to him for presenting us with our first victory in the DTM today.

“The team has worked day and night in recent weeks, and thoroughly deserves this success.

“After our difficult season in 2013, we pulled together to tighten a lot of screws – and this is the reward.

“We were able to implement everything we learned during the tests here perfectly this weekend. It ran like clockwork.”